Careers
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, in partnership with the College of Agriculture and Purdue Center for Career Opportunities, is dedicated to providing and/or connecting students to resources to help them best prepare to compete for jobs upon graduation. Several services are available to help students write résumés and cover letters, prepare for interviews, develop job search techniques, find semester and summer internships, identify employment opportunities after graduation, and more.
Need help getting started? Review the FNR Four-Year Career Plan for guidance on career preparation activities that students should be completing, organized by their year in college. You may also visit our Office of Student Services (OSS) in Room G003 of Pfendler Hall.
For a compilation of raw data reported by our graduates on position placement, view Placement for May Undergraduate Students.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources , is dedicated to providing and/or connecting students to resources to help them best prepare to compete for jobs upon graduation.

Are you looking for an outdoor career? Purdue FNR is one of the nation's leading natural resource programs. Our world-class expertise in forestry, wildlife, fisheries & aquatic sciences, natural resources social science, and interdisciplinary ecology is helping solve some of the most important natural resource problems around the globe.

Students have many opportunities for internships, summer positions and after graduation career positions posted from our stakeholders and partners which post current positions on our actively visited job board.

Opportunities for scholarships in FNR are available in all majors. One in four students receive scholarships with over $80,000 monies received.

Student organizations will expand your college experience, helping you build a personal network with Purdue FNR peers, industry professionals and alumni.
Career Resources
While there are limitless careers in the field of natural resources, view our career profiles which highlights some of the career opportunities available to you.
- Career Opportunities
- Discovery Education Ag Explorer, explore various careers related to Animal Systems, Environmental Service Systems, Natural Resources Systems, or Plant Systems.
- Aquaculture Jobs.com
- Career Builder
- Conservation Job Board
- Earthworks Jobs
- Environmental Jobs
- Environmental Career Center
- The Environment Directory
- Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Job Board
- Forestry USA
- GIS Jobs Clearinghouse
- Green Dream Jobs
- Indiana Geographic Information Council
- Job Monkey – Outdoor Jobs
- Michigan State University
- O*NET Online
- Outdoor Ed
- Search North America – Forest Products Search Firm
- Texas A&M Wildlife and Fisheries Job Board
- Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources job Board
- Warnell School of Forest Resources-University of Georgia
- ZipRecruiter
Each of the majors in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is tied to a professional organization. The following websites may provide further career exploration, view the following areas on these sites:
- Career – is there additional information about careers on this site that may be helpful to your research?
- Professional development – are certifications or licenses offered through the organization?
- Job board – does the organization offer a job board with career related postings?
- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
- American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
- American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)
- American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- California Waterfowl Association
- Delta Waterfowl
- Ducks Unlimited (DU)
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Ecological Society of America
- Environmental Education Association of Indiana
- Indiana Geographic Information Council
- Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- National Association of Environmental Professionals
- National Association of State Foresters
- National Audubon Society
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- National Parks Conservation Administration
- National Wildlife Federation
- North American Association for Environmental Education
- Sierra Club
- Society for Conservation Biology
- Society for Freshwater Science (SFS)
- Society of American Foresters (SAF)
- Society of Ecological Restoration (SER)
- Society of Wetlands Scientists (SWS)
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Wildlife Society (TWS)
- Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
- Utility Arborist Association
- Western Wood Products Association
- Wood Products Manufacturers Association
- World Aquaculture Society (WAS)
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Related Skills opens opportunities as employers are seeking candidates with the attributes listed.
In addition to academic training, employers are looking for the following attributes (National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2015). As you seek out internships, volunteer opportunities and career options, it is important to find ways to learn and/or build these skillsets:
- Analytical/Quantitative Skills
- Communication Skills (Written and Oral)
- Computer Skills
- Creativity
- Detail Oriented
- Entrepreneurial Skills/Risk Taker
- Flexibility/Adaptability
- Friendly Outgoing Initiative
- Natural Resource Supervisors
- Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others)
- Leadership
- Plan, Organize, Prioritize
- Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning
- Tactfulness
- Teamwork
- Technical Knowledge
- Work Ethic
Personal Assessment can help as you narrow down your skills and interests. Take a look at these resources that help you find the career that fits you.
If you are finding that none of the career options or job postings you have reviewed are interesting maybe it is time for some personal assessment of your skills and interests. The Center for Career Opportunities can assist with further career counseling. Below are a few sites that may be helpful as you assess where your interests and skills align with career options.
If you should have any further questions or if you would like personal assistance please contact our Office of Student Services. Contact information is in the "Contact Us" tab.
Spend some time reviewing natural resource job boards, click through the links to explore the various job openings. Some questions to ask as you review:
- What does someone in this position do on a daily basis?
- Is the location of the position somewhere I would like to live?
- What are the education requirements for the position?
- Are there additional certifications or licenses required?
- What is the salary for the position? Will this salary meet my financial goals?
- What is the working environment (physical demands, travel requirements, shift work)?
- Does this position meet my future goals and family plans?
- Does this position interest me?
The job boards with the widest variety of postings are:
To post a position, email a Word or PDF document to fnrjobs@purdue.edu
- Purdue University
- College of Agriculture
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
- Employer Preparations and Tips for Career Fairs
- Map of Purdue University
- Parking Guide for Purdue University
- Purdue University Travel Alerts
- Purdue Memorial Union, Union Club Hotel
- West Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Visiting Purdue
Choose what works best for you!
- Schedule an Appointment - BoilerConnect
- Call FNR Office of Student Services at 765-494-3591
- Send us an email joinfnr@purdue.edu
The FNR Office of Student Services is open from 8 am to noon and 1 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, except on University holidays.

Jackie Getson, Interim Graduate
Program Coordinator (Current Students),
Research Associate & Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 765-496-7406
Email: jgetson@purdue.edu

Phone: 765-494-0425
Email: freemac@purdue.edu

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