• Natural resource economists study issues related to land use and conservation.Don Farrall/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Natural resource economists address issues related to the allocation of land and other natural resources, such as water, forests and minerals. Because natural resources do not exist in infinite amounts, decisions must be made by governments, business and societies about how best to allocate them to meet human needs. According to the Association of Agricultural and Resource Economists, men and women who receive degrees in environmental or natural resource economics face a range of academic and nonacademic career options.
  
  

University Professor

• A working paper from the Vanderbilt University economics departments surveyed the job market for new doctoral degree recipients in natural resource economics and found that more than 60 percent of them work in academia as college and university faculty members. Natural resource economists who pursue academic careers often work in economics, agricultural economics and public affairs programs, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. They also conduct research in areas of interest, publishing papers in peer-reviewed environmental and natural resource economic journals.
  
  

Environmental Economist

• Environmental economists apply their research and analytical skills to problems related to the environment and resource conservation. Many environmental economists find employment in government agencies, while others work for international organizations. The Vanderbilt survey found that 12.7 percent of doctoral graduates in resource economics work for government agencies. Another 9 percent found employment in international organizations and research institutes, such as the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute. Government agencies employing environmental economists include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
  
  

Consultant

• Other natural resource economists bring their expertise to management and consulting firms. As consultants, natural resource economists assist corporations and governments with strategic planning, analysis and policies to manage the allocation and use of natural resources. They also assess existing environmental and land-use policies, and may assist in the development of new programs as needed.