Outdoor Leadership (B.A.)

Park Ranger 

Park rangers supervise state and national parks and monuments. Their central duty is ensuring visiting patrons follow laws and remain safe. They may serve in very specific capacities, such as security, maintenance and conservation, education and emergency response. 

Outdoor Business & Entrepreneurship 

Owning a bike shop. Running a campervan conversion business. Leading scuba tours. There are countless ways you can combine your love for the outdoors with an outdoor-based business, while creating a rewarding career that provides the ultimate in work/life balance.  

Park Interpretation

Park interpreters play a huge role in State Parks by making visitors feel welcome and sharing the natural, historical, and cultural background of their site. These stories are often told while facilitating fun activities such as campfires and small hikes. Other daily tasks include developing and conducting exciting school programs or interpretive programs for all park visitors to enjoy.   

Environmental Education

Environmental educators work in parks, museums, school districts, and other areas. They integrate disciplines like biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography to teach people how natural environments function, and particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably.  

Wilderness & Nature Therapy              

Nature therapy (also known as ecotherapy) describes an approach to wellbeing that emphasizes meaningful exposure to nature, which research has associated with numerous benefits for physical and mental health. Wilderness or nature therapists use nature to help people heal, especially psychologically, via a myriad of ways, including brief nature exposure, nature arts and crafts, horticultural therapy, animal therapy, and wilderness therapy.  

GIS & Mapping Technician

GIS technicians work in the public and private sectors and create maps and custom GIS software or applications for a variety of purposes. As a GIS technician, you will interpret maps, manipulate digital land data, and manage the information entered in a GIS database. Mapping technicians, sometimes called surveying technicians, are responsible for surveying and mapping by collecting data for construction, map making, and boundary location. They do all of this on site, and although they may input the information into databases, they do not administer this database like GIS technicians. 

Tourism & Adventure Guiding

Outdoor tour and adventure guides leave the cubicle behind and turn the mountains, the desert, and the ocean into their offices. They get to hike, bike, climb, and paddle to earn a living. Outdoor tour and adventure guides educate clients about the local flora and fauna, the geology of the region, or the human history of an area. They are leaders and decision-makers, whether they’re leading a team of guides or a group of adventurers. They provide excellent customer service and communicate well, solve problems, work through difficult interpersonal dynamics, and create experiences that meet clients’ expectations.

Park Management

Park managers direct overall park operation for state and national parks. They provide oversight for the preservation of cultural and natural resources, manage the planning, construction, and maintenance of facilities, oversee visitor and resource protection services and interpretive and educational outreach operations. Park managers also provide a long-term vision for the park's preservation and public enjoyment, as well as leadership and motivation to staff, volunteers, partners, and the public. 

Park Naturalist  

A park naturalist works in parks, nature reserves, or other outdoor recreational areas to provide educational and interpretive programs to visitors. Park naturalists are responsible for promoting an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment, wildlife, and cultural history of the park. They typically have a strong background in environmental science, biology, ecology, or a related field.

In their role, park naturalists conduct guided nature walks, interpretive talks, and demonstrations to engage visitors and teach them about the park's flora, fauna, geology, and ecological processes. They may lead activities such as bird watching, wildlife spotting, plant identification, and nature photography. Park naturalists also organize and facilitate hands-on programs, workshops, and events for visitors of all ages, including children's programs, guided hikes, and themed educational sessions.