School of Earth, Environment and Society

Careers

A major in the School of Earth, Environment & Society prepares students for impactful, real-world careers and advanced study across science, policy, community engagement, environmental planning, and more. Through hands-on learning, fieldwork, and intersections within human and environmental systems, SEES students build the skills employers and graduate programs value.

What Can I Do With a Major In...?

Explore career possibilities by major. Click a major to explore lists of job titles developed from job postings, college/university surveys of recent graduates, and federal surveys.

Faculty advisors or career counselors can help you identify options for majors and careers that reflect your skills, interests, and values.

Career Counseling about this content
Portland cityscape with Mt. Hood in backdrop at night

Opportunities Across Sectors

Graduates from our programs go on to meaningful work across government, private sector, non-profit, tribal, and community organizations.

Whether working in a federal agency, city planning office, Tribal natural resources department, nonprofit advocacy organization, or private environmental consulting firm, our SEES alumni bring scientific and social insight, hands-on field experience, and collaborative problem-solving skills to their work.

Where Our Alumni Work

Government & Public

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, City of Portland, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Metro

Nonprofit & Tribal

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, watershed councils, local conservation groups

Private Sector & Consulting

Geotechnical Resources, Inc., Quantum Spatial, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Tetra Tech, Willamette Cultural Resources Associates, environmental consulting and GIS firms

Education & Research

Universities, regional colleges, research programs

Student interns participating in Willamette Valley Historical Ecology Project

Gain Hands-On Experience

Internships and research opportunities give you real, resume-building experience while you're still a student. Learn about how to find opportunities, logistics, and for-credit options.

Internships & Experience

Thinking About Graduate School?

Graduates from SEES often continue into graduate or professional programs in fields such as:

  • Environmental Science, Management & Policy
  • Geography and GIS
  • Geology or Earth Sciences
  • Anthropology and Archaeology
  • Urban and Environmental Planning

Whether you’re considering a master’s, Ph.D., or professional degree, start planning early:

SEES Graduate Programs about this content