in the field

Career Resources

Here is a hefty dose (of mostly environmental and polar related) job boards, listservs, and search engines to keep you busy in the hunt for your career unicorn! (At the moment there are a lot more USA listed here, because that was my path as an American, but please please leave a comment if you know of other resources in other countries!)

“At the very least, the job boards have helped me explore different types of jobs that exist. Something that has been helpful for me is to subscribe to listservs for various societies that I’m interested in. There can be a lot of random emails sent out on those, but there are often hundreds of jobs sent out per week from government, non-profit, industry, and universities that usually relate to that field. In addition, joining societies can be helpful, as can going to meetings and talks. Of course, staying organized helps!” -Jacqui

“I have found many volunteer opportunities and jobs through these emails. If I’m feeling stale in my current job, I’ll peruse the readings just to get inspired again.”  -Allison

For plugging in to the POLAR world, see the following links! Sign up for newsletters, peruse the websites, get involved in anything that interests you – it may lead to the doors opening down the road:

APECS – Association of Polar Early Career Scientists. This links to the international site, but be sure to also check out the many National Committees for your home country!

Polar Impact – An inclusive network of racial & ethnic minorities and allies in the polar research community.

Polar Science Early Career Community Office – see their Guide on how to help new folks feel welcome!

100 Polar Women– Women in Polar – check out other peoples paths into polar!

ASC – Antarctic Support Contract jobs (for the USA currently this is Leidos) 

IAATO – International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. Many of the operators hire polar guides. They also offer science support fellowships.

EGA – Expedition Guiding Association. If you’re interested in gaining field skills, polar guiding skills, check out this awesome training program.

PTGA – Polar Tourism Guides Association (not a training program, but an assessment program that offers a lot of great resources for polar guides and aspiring polar guides).

Girls On Ice

IARPC – Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee

JSEP (Greenland/Arctic) – Joint Science Education Project

Juneau Icefield research program

NOLS – outdoor/wilderness leadership school.

NSF OPP – NSF Office of Polar Programs, look for PIs who have been funded

NOAA-AERD – US Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division (at NOAA SWFSC)

CCAMLR – Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources if you’re interested in fisheries management, marine animal management and policy! 

SCAR – Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (and Humanities)

SOOS – Southern Ocean Observing System 

USAP – United States Antarctic Program. Look for currently funded PIs and projects and send an email to them if you like the sound of their work! You never know who has funding to bring on students.

Top 6 Favorite Job Sources:

Other Listservs:

Other Job Boards:

Environmental NGOs:

Environmental Consulting Opportunities:

Voluntourism Eco-Tours & Research Expeditions:

Other Associations:

Other Search Tips:

  • Specific Institutions/Organizations: If you know a particular institution or organization you want to work at keep an eye on their job postings page. You never know when that perfect position will pop up for you to grab. If you don’t see any NGOs or consulting companies that you are interested in here, search for those that have a focus or discipline you are interested in. Some suggestions would be to look for environmental/ecological consulting companies, companies that specialize in natural resource damage assessment and clean-up, estuarine/marine/coral conservation NGOS and societies.
  • Specific Disciplines: If you know an area of science you are interested in, such as freshwater biology, fisheries management, forest ecology, estuarine conservation, developmental biology, environmental toxicology, etc., search for societies and organizations that promote these disciplines, and check out their job postings pages!
  • Specific Locations: Search for field stations in areas that interest you. There are countless marine, freshwater, tropical forest ecology field stations around the world, many with different opportunities. In addition, universities often need field or lab technicians, so if there is a university you would like to attend graduate school at, check to see if there are technician positions in a lab you are interested in.
  • Volunteer: If all else fails, get yourself volunteering for things you are interested in. You’ll meet people, get ideas, and go on amazing trips! Yes, these require you to pay out of pocket, but sometimes it can be worth it.
  • Join societies.
  • Attend meetings and talks (Town Hall, University Lectures, National Geographic Live! Events).
  • Attend job fairs.
  • “Like” certain organizations or college career centers on Facebook.
  • Follow organizations and career centers on social media sites.
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