Career Opportunities
Source: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/fnr/undergraduate/careers/career-opportunities.html Parent: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/fnr/undergraduate/scholarships.html
Career Opportunities
Are You Looking For an Outdoor Career?
Career Opportunities
The Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources department has the largest collection of forestry and natural resources experts in Indiana. We conduct leading research on all issues facing the natural world. In Indiana, you will find us working between the agricultural fields where our valued forests, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems can be found.
Our primary mission is to educate the next generation of natural resources managers. Research conducted in our department helps ensure that natural resources regulations and policy are informed by the best available science. And our Extension programming helps provide the public with the latest information about Indiana’s amazing natural resources.
The work done by our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners supports:
- The emerging field of digital natural resources where remote sensing, big data, and artificial intelligence are all coming together to create major advancements in the way natural resources are monitored and managed
- The state’s $10 billion dollar per year hardwood products sector
- Research on the Great Lakes ecosystem that contributes $5 trillion to the regional economy
- The thousands of Hoosiers who participate in sustainable hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching by producing the latest wildlife management research and techniques
Purdue FNR Career Profiles
Aquatic Sciences
Dive Into Discovery: Explore Life Beneath the Surface
Aquatic Ecosystems Manager
Aquatic Ecosystem Managers protect and manage aquatic ecosystems such as streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands to protect fish and wildlife, as well as water quality, by monitoring and managing pollution, diseases, invasive organisms, erosion, and other factors that threaten aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental Technician
Environmental Technicians conduct tests and field investigations to obtain air, water and soil samples, and other data used to help clean up, monitor, control or prevent pollution.
Fisheries Biologists
Fisheries Biologists protect and manage wild fish populations in lakes, rivers, and streams to provide sustainable fishing. They also raise young fish in hatcheries for release into lakes and streams, and protect fish from diseases, invasive organisms, and other threats.
Outdoor Recreation Manager
Outdoor Recreation Managers develop and implement programs that engage visitors and community partners in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, bike riding, boating, canoeing, and kayaking to explore and discover forests and other natural areas.
Forestry
Where Forests and Futures Thrive
Forester
Foresters survey and assess the health and growth of woodlands and develop conservation, management and rehabilitation strategies, while protecting forest ecosystems and the benefits produced by forests, and addressing problems such as soil erosion, invasive species, and pests that threaten forest health.
Forest Fire Fighter/Manager
Forest Fire Fighters prevent and suppress wildfires in forests to protect people, houses, wildlife, and the environment. Forest Fire Managers use low-intensity prescribed fires to improve forest health, reduce wildfire danger, improve wildlife habitat, reduced invasive plants and insects, and improve ecosystem health.
Forest Researcher
Forest researchers are scientists that seek new understanding about how forest ecosystems work and to develop better approaches for managing forests. They design experiments, and collect and analyze data, to answer important questions about sustaining forests.
Forest Products Manufacturer
Forest Products Manufacturers design and manage facilities that use logs, lumber, and veneer to produce a wide variety of wood products such as furniture, cabinets, flooring, paper, and building materials.
Tree Care Specialist
Tree Care Specialists or Professional Arborists manage individual trees in urban and suburban communities by performing hazard inspections, tree pruning and planting, removing dead or dying trees, and working with individual landowners to promote safe and healthy trees.
Urban Forester
Urban Foresters manage and protect forests in public parks as well as street trees in urban and suburban areas. They oversee the planting of new trees and protect the health of trees from diseases and insect pests.
Wood Products Designer
Wood Products Designers use knowledge of wood, technology, tools, and design principles to create a wide variety of wood products from furniture to interior designs to framing systems for buildings.
Wildlife
Where Wildlife Science Protects Its Future
Conservation Biologist
A conservation biologist works to protect and restore biodiversity by studying species, habitats, and ecosystems at risk. They develop and implement strategies to prevent extinction, manage natural resources sustainably, and address environmental threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.
Natural Resources Educator
Also known as an interpretative naturalists or extension specialists, natural resources educators design, plan, and deliver educational programs to the public about plants, animals, and natural areas.
Wildlife Biologist
A wildlife biologist studies animals and their interactions with ecosystems. They conduct field research, monitor wildlife populations, analyze data, and develop conservation plans to protect species and habitats. Their work often informs environmental policy and helps manage natural resources sustainably.
Wildlife Manager
Wildlife Managers protect and manage wildlife populations and habitats to produce benefits for wildlife and the general public using wildlife science.
Career Resources
More Career Positions
Learn more about the positions listed below by using the job search on CareerOneStop.org website. Place any of the position titles in the keyword field for list of available positions.
- Aquaculture Manager
- Conservation Biologist
- Conservation Officer
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Attorney
- Environmental Compliance Inspector
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Scientists And Specialists
- Fish and Game Warden
- Natural Resource Supervisors
- Natural Resource Technician
- Natural Resource Workers
- Natural Science Manager
- Naturalist
- Remote Sensing Technician
- Social Science Research Assistant
- Soil And Plant Scientist
- Soil And Water Conservationist
- Wildlife Biologist/Field Biologist
FNR Job Board
Related Skills opens opportunities as employers are seeking candidates with the attributes listed.
FNR Career Fair
With over 50 employers at the FNR Career Fair, student opportunities abound with internships, summer positions and graduation career positions.\ \ FNR Career Fair
Alumni Job Placements After Graduation
Discover the latest career placement statistics for graduates of Purdue University's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, highlighting employment trends and opportunities for May undergraduate students.
Personal Assessment for Careers
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.
Contact Us
The FNR Student Services is a hub of support at Purdue for FNR students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public.
- Contact the FNR Undergraduate Academic Programs office.
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Alumnus Hits the Road With Woods on Wheels Exhibit
There are nearly 5 million acres of woodlands in Indiana and the state’s hardwood industry has an economic impact of more than $10 billion and supports 70,000 jobs.
Alumna shares her role as she travels the state
Woods on Wheels is For All Ages
Request the Wood on Wheels exhibit to come to your area sharing hardwood resources and career opportunities.