Program Overview

Environment and Resource Management

The Environment and Resource Management program at VU Amsterdam is designed to tackle today's sustainability challenges. With over 1,250 students having received their Master's degree in ERM, many have embarked on exciting sustainability careers as consultants, NGO leaders, entrepreneurs, ministry officials, or international civil servants. Some students continue in academia by starting a PhD.

Overview

When you graduate, you will be able to determine which assessment tool is applicable in specific situations, and you can critically reflect on the outcomes of such tools. In addition, you should be able to (co-)design effective decision-making processes for complex or ambiguous problems.

Career Prospects

Graduates may expect to find employment in organisations such as:

• (Environmental) consultancies (like KPMG, Arcadis, Royal Haskoning)
  • TATA Steel
  • Philips
  • Unilever
  • Nuon
  • Shell
• NGOs (like World Wildlife Fund [WWF], Greenpeace)
• The private sector
• The public sector (European Parliament; The World Bank, United Nations Environmental Program, World Health Organisation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Local water authorities)

What Can You Do After Your Master's Degree?

• Start working: With a Master’s degree in Environment and Resource Management, you have excellent employment prospects. Start working as a project manager at an NGO, choose a role in the private or public sector, or work for a (environmental) consultancy.
• Following a PhD programme: If you wish to continue your academic career, you may choose to pursue a PhD programme after graduation. In the Netherlands, PhD positions are usually paid jobs (mostly for three or four years) for which you have to apply.

Where Did Our Students End Up?

• Sem Duijndam, Junior researcher at VU Amsterdam
• Govert Vermeer, Public Affairs Advisor
• Jesse Rinsma, exploring opportunities to live & work in places abroad

Alumni Testimonials

Stijn Schep, Environmental Economist at Wolf’s Company, alumnus, explains how he’s trying to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Bonaire. He works together with ecologists, local politicians, and businesspeople to combine economic development with nature conservation. Stijn studied Environment and Resource Management at VU Amsterdam.