What Can I Do With a Major In Environmental Economics and Management?

• UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Clubs and Organizations 

To find additional clubs and organizations, go to the Center for Student Organizations

Connect with your Career Consultant for guidance and support

Five Top Career Opportunities in Environmental Economics

1. Environmental consulting has become a lucrative field and today some of the larger firms are hiring environmental economists. In some cases the role of the economist is to make the business case for development features that have an adverse environmental impact, but despite the expectations from management that doesn’t mean that an env/econ professional can’t have an impact on the planning outcome and on project mitigation.

2. Project Management opportunities arise for environmental economists with some of the massive bureaucracies that have been built up by the World Bank and its subsidiaries. Working with one of the teams in the field could be an interesting opportunity for someone with a degree in the field who is willing to travel.

3. Resources Policy Advocacy opportunities develop in far-off corners of the non-profit world occasionally. Once again it’s a matter of running them down. Many of these positions are based on environmental science, but the battles involved are economic.

4. Agricultural Economics is one area where there’s been a fair amount of activity in the U.S. regarding sustainable practices. Finding common ground with agribusiness and the USDA over sustainability standards seems to be an ongoing battle but one in which economists can play an important role if sustainable agricultural practices become legislative issues. USDA research on the cost of food safety continues to play a role in the debate over food production, crop fertilization, and water rights.

5. Resources Management can be an important regulatory function at the state level in places like California where water rights have been an issue for one hundred thirty years or more. Agencies that manage water rights in the West have been faced with legislative and legal actions over the perennial battle between economic and environmental concerns. Some agencies have sophisticated staff structures that employ environmental economists with the usual battery of lobbyists, planners, and accountants. 

*Taken from Environmental Economics Blog

Additional Recommendations

• If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree, check out our website for assistance with this process
• If you are considering applying to Veterinarian School, check out this article for specific tips
• If you are interested in Medical School, check out this site for details about the application process

O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  

My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  

Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  

Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  

Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  

UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  

Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 

Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  

Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.

General

• Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  

• LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 

• Idealist (non-profit jobs) 

• USAJobs (federal jobs) 

• Association of Environmental and Resource Economists 
• American Agricultural Economics Association
• Agriculture Online 
• Agriculture Future of America 
• AgriMarketing 
• Agri-Search
• Georgia Agribusiness Council
• International Food and Agribusiness Management Association 
• National Agri-Marketing Association 
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
• National Future Farmers of America 
• PMA Foundation for Industry Talent 

Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.