Breadcrumb
Careers & Alumni
With a strong foundation in science, analysis, and communications, you’ll be highly prepared for your future.
Some ESM alumni have gone on to graduate school. Others are making a difference across a wide range of careers as a wilderness planner for Olympic National Park, a GIS (geographic information system) technician for the Yurok Tribe, and an environmental analyst for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
No matter your path, you’ll leave the program ready to succeed.
Related Job Titles
The following list is not meant to be all inclusive; many other job alternatives and titles may exist. Some require further education. As an ESM major, careers could reach across other concentration areas; refer to those career guides.
Air Quality Specialist Biological Science Technician
Climate Change Specialist
Coastal Restoration Assistant
Coastal Program Analyst
Conservation Corps Director
Climatologist
Ecologist
EcoTourism Manager
Energy Analyst
Energy Auditor
Energy Manager
Environmental Analyst
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Auditor
Environmental Communicator
Environmental Mgmt. Consultant
Environmental Health Sanitarian
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Protection Spec.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Services Advisor
Field Director
Geospatial Coordinator
GIS Application Specialist
GIS Coordinator
GIS Developer
GIS Manager
GIS Technical Architect
Habitat Restoration Specialist
Hazardous Materials Specialist
Hunting/Fishing Guide
Land Management Supervisor
Natural Resource Specialist
Nature Writer
Park Technician/Aid
Park Naturalist
Park Ranger
Pollution Control Technologist
Project Planning: Planning Engineer; City/County; Environmental; Recreational; Tribal; Transportation; Water Quality.
Recreation Specialist
Remote Sensing Technologist
Resource Management Spec.
Rangeland Mgmt Specialist
Soil Conservationist
Soil Scientist
Spatial Ecologist
Spatial Modeler
Sustainability Manager
Technical Writer
Water Resource Analyst
Watershed Technician
Marketable Skills
Communication
- Written and Oral Presentation Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Program Management and Implementation
- Communicating Scientific Concepts
Lab-Based Skills
- General laboratory skills
- Field-based Research and Testing
Sustainability
- Understanding of Sustainability Practices
- Implementation of Sustainable Policies/Methods
- Management of Natural Resources and Ecosystems
Analytical and Investigative Skills
- Analyze Human Interactions and Natural Environment
- Conducting Field Studies
- Sampling and Surveying
- Policy Analysis
Planning/GIS/Remote Sensing
- Resource Management
- Principles of Urban and Regional Planning
- Mapping and GIS skills
- Geospatial Analysis
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Meet our Alumni
Alumni Updates
Mark McKenna
Environmental Science & Management, 2024
Mark has been fully employed since April 2025 by the East Bay Regional Park District as a Park Services Attendant, currently working at Lake Del Valle in Livermore, CA, and plans to move up to Naturalist within the same company.
Debra Whitall
Environmental Science & Management, 1984
Debra recently published her first picture book. "The Fox and the Labyrinth" is a compelling life story featuring a beautiful labyrinth and a magical fox who leads a young girl on a journey of self-discovery. Inspired by a dream about a real labyrinth in Northern California after her mother’s death, the illustrations and story flowed from her grieving, with Fox as her guide. When not writing and drawing, Debra enjoys walking her own labyrinth in Santa Fe, New Mexico, traveling, hiking, and playing Mah Jongg. The book is available at: authorhouse.com/bookstore
Aaron Jensen Murphy
Environmental Science & Management, 2017
After graduating, Aaron worked on campus for Facilities Management as a groundsworker. In 2021, he moved from Arcata to Salt Lake City, Utah, to work as a Senior Natural Resource Technician for the Salt Lake City Public Lands Department. For the last two years, Aaron has worked for Salt Lake County Flood Control as a Permit Review Specialist. In his current position, he regulates all aspects of floodplain development within the county, including the installation of structures, channel realignments, and watershed restoration. He has remained passionate about environmental stewardship, professional development, and fostering successful partnerships with state and federal agencies.