Trying to dig a little deeper into Colorado State’s majors, just starting out in your major search, or want to see what it looks like to be a student in a certain major? Our “3 reasons” series is the perfect place to start. In each installment, we’re bringing you three standout reasons to choose a major, written by the people who work and teach in those majors every day.
Natural resource tourism at Colorado State University prepares you to manage outdoor recreation and tourism enterprises based on your love of travel and the outdoors. Through unique, innovative classes that feature input from tourism professionals, you will gain skills in tourism enterprise, natural resource management, marketing, planning, business skills, and the social aspects of tourism. Here are three reasons why we think you’ll love studying nature-based tourism.
#1. You can actually do what you love for a living.
With concentrations in Global Tourism and Natural Resource Tourism, this professionally oriented program will allow you to do what you love for a living: being outside and sharing nature with others. And grads of this program do just that. They own outfitting and guiding companies, run major outdoor gear corporations and manage cruise lines, work in state travel and tourism offices, ecotourism companies, event venues, and ski areas both in the U.S. and abroad.
#2.You’ll find a growing and resilient career path.
Careers in nature-based tourism are backed by a stable, growing industry that creates 7.6 million U.S. jobs and $887 billion dollars in consumer spending. The outdoor recreation industry is an economic and political powerhouse, almost double the pharmaceutical and automotive industries. There has never been a better time to make adventure not just a way of life, but a way of living.
#3. You’ll join a community that empowers people to explore and sustain their world.
We look forward to welcoming you into our community of explorers, who believe that to make a difference for people and the planet that we need diverse perspectives. We think that risks are necessary to find creative solutions for complex problems and that the world needs more people like you. Be the change you want to see while sharing your passion with others.
Students in our program influence natural resource management and the tourism industry through the knowledge and skills gained from their courses and from their hands-on experiences and internships. They do well by doing good — and you will, too.
Ready to explore more about the major that’s all about exploration?
Discover how your love of nature can lead to a big-adventure life you can call your career.
