Expanding high school youth’s perceptions of environmental careers and resilience development through conservation education

Abstract

Abstract Youth-focused environmental programs develop environmental stewardship and related interest in future career pursuits. However, research is limited on how youth perceive the varied skills and capacities needed in environmental careers, which could impact their ability to contribute to environmental work. We describe findings from a retrospective-pre/post survey after a conservation internship program for high-school youth. Factor analyses and t-tests indicated that interns expanded their understanding of environmental careers, developed resilience and were more engaged in pro-environmental behaviors post-internship. We discuss the implications of youths’ perceptions of environmental careers for the future of the environmental workforce.