Careers

What can I do with my Wildlife Conservation and Management degree?
What is the job placement rate for your graduates?
How does your program prepare graduates for a career in Wildlife Conservation and Management?

What can I do with my Wildlife Conservation and Management degree?
Careers in Wildlife Conservation and Management provide both challenging and rewarding employment opportunities. Conservation positions allow you to contribute something worthwhile to society. The very nature of the work enables you to be involved in projects, which help shape the future of natural resources. Nearly two-thirds of salaried conservation scientists and foresters work for federal, state, or local governments.

Wildlife Conservation and Management careers include foresters, naturalists, wildlife ecologists, hatcheries employees, Global Information Systems specialists, and more. Graduates often earn advanced degrees in conservation.

Missouri Western graduates’ positions include Endangered Species Specialist at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Natural Areas Director for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City, and assistant manager of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

What is the job placement rate for your graduates?
The placement rate for conservation and wildlife-related jobs is estimated at approximately 90%.

How does your program prepare graduates for a career in Wildlife Conservation and Management?
Within the department, there is a great deal of positive interaction among students and faculty that relates directly to professional development. The department also provides a variety of internships and travel abroad opportunities. A high percentage of our students do individual research projects and make presentations of their findings at professional meetings. Faculty members have professional ties with industry and agencies that provide numerous opportunities for students.

Students also gain extensive hands-on experiences with Global Positioning Systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The department has a 25-seat computer lab with the latest GIS software.