Wisconsin: The Perfect Place to Launch Your Career in Water
Water is a growing career field for those who care about the environment. Employers want to hire people with hands-on experiences who are interested in solving challenges related to climate change, water quality, emerging contaminants, sustainable agricultural and fishing practices, and other issues that affect water systems.
You can pursue many paths with a water-related degree:
- Work to ensure safe drinking water
- Monitor contaminants that affect waterways and beaches
- Create safer and more efficient water infrastructure
- Manage invasive species to protect ecosystems
- Advocate for better water policies
- Restore and conserve habitats
- Educate the community about water issues
- Go to graduate school to further your expertise
Each of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities offers a degree program or coursework in water studies — and every school is part of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. This allows students to enroll at one university for a degree and participate in hands-on experiences and unique coursework at other UW schools. Visit our Academic Partners to learn more about degree programs.
Through the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, students have opportunities to:
- Participate in field experiences on the Mississippi River, Lake Michigan and the many rivers, streams and wetland areas throughout the state
- Acquire lab and technical skills while working with expert faculty and water professionals
- Enroll in unique courses at multiple UW campuses
- Collaborate with students from other campuses
- Educate community members about water through outreach projects
- Land an internship that builds professional connections and could lead to a fulfilling job in the water field
We also support summer camps and internships for high school students interested in learning more about what it’s like to have a career in water. High school students can participate in hands-on activities at multiple institutions, including UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW Oshkosh, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stout.