Adapting Curricula to Fit Environmental Positions

Abstract

In the fall of 1993, the administrators of the Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) Program at Purdue University mailed a survey to available alumni of the program for whom an address was available (386 surveys). In 2003, a similar survey was mailed to available alumni from 1994 to 2003 (283 surveys). The purpose of the 2003 survey was to gather information related to long-term changes in the needs of the work place. The information gained in the 2003 survey was utilized to aid in curricula changes and program development. This article presents the results of the latest survey and response comparisons between the 1993 and 2003 surveys. The percentages of 2003 survey recipients holding jobs in environment-related areas compared closely with the 1993 survey. However, while government agencies and industry still hire a large percentage of the NRES alumni, environmental consulting firms are now the leading employers of recent alumni. The 2003 survey results indicate that 88% of NRES alumni are satisfied with their education and report the importance of oral and written communication skills to workplace success.