Inspiring Future Green Leaders

If you are high school teacher (and even if not) now is the time of year that students will be reaching out for guidance on the future. With questions ranging from colleges, tech schools, majors, careers, and life in general. Many times it is difficult and stressful to pick just one interest to pursue. But that’s where your sage wisdom comes in handy. Many careers today require a multitude on interest, especially careers involving the environment. Check out some of these careers the next time you talk to a student trying to plan for the future.

Have an interest in teaching? working with animals? and conservation? Try out a career as a Zoo or Aquarium Educator!

Many Careers in Zoos and Aquariums require a lot of hands on experience. Encourage students to pursue an internship or volunteer at a local Zoo or Aquarium.

National Aquarium (Baltimore)

Philadelphia Zoo

National Zoo (DC, Fort Royal, VA)

There are also many some college programs with a focus in conservation and education, great for a career in Zoos and Aquarium

George Mason- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Arcadia University- Environmental Education

Michigan State - Zoology concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Science

And many more! Check out these programs affiliated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums!

Have a passion for Math? Building and Designing? and The Environment? What about environmental engineering?

Plenty of schools offer programs in environmental engineering, check out this list by state!

What about writing? photography? explaining difficult concepts? Try a career in Journalism or Science writing!

Check out this guide to careers in science writing from the Council for the Advancement of Writing, or career spotlight from sierra club

And some of these specialized programs in the field…

University of California Santa Cruz- Science Communication

Lehigh University- Science and Environmental Writing

Boston University- Science Journalism

NYU- Science Health and Environmental Reporting

Or to get a feel for science writing, get some experience with these internships…

Science News

Earth Magazine

And these are just a FEW of the possibilities! Encourage your students to make connections between their interests and their passion for the environment!

Check out more enviro-inspired careers from NAAEE, or Take a Quiz to check out your ideal Green job!