If you have a passion for the environment, and you want to take an active role in making the world a better, more sustainable place, you may have considered as career as an ecologist. These incredible individuals study the relationships between animals, plants, and the environment. They can help to reduce the negative impact the construction landscape has on the natural world, and even prevent certain species from going extinct.
As a diverse and multi-faceted area, ecology offers a wide range of job opportunities to the people with the correct skills and mindset. However, like many specialist roles, careers in ecology do require individuals to commit to building an effective plan for success. Here’s what you’ll need to begin your journey.
Research Job Opportunities
The first step in starting a successful new career, is gaining a thorough understanding of the opportunities that may be available in your chosen niche. This is not like finding hobbies that relieve stress where you can be somewhat broad, seeking out career opportunities must be intentional. Ecologists can work in a variety of different settings, ranging from labs, to lecture halls. While most of these professionals focus heavily on studying the relationships between different components of the natural world, the focus of your role might vary depending on where you choose to specialize.
A landscape ecologist will deal with spatial distribution and patterns across large geographical areas. They can even examine how migration patterns change over time. Population ecologists look at statistics such as how species birth and death rates evolve, while industrial ecologists address the concepts of sustainable manufacturing and growth.
Develop Your Education
As a highly nuanced career choice, ecology does require a significant investment in education. You’ll need to start by earning a degree in a relevant field, connected to your industry. There are various student loan options out there for those who might be concerned about finding the funding they need to pursue their education. However, it’s worth making sure you know exactly how far you want to take your study before you start looking for options.
While it is possible to explore some entry-level roles with an undergraduate degree, you may need to think about a postgraduate qualification if you’re applying for positions at universities or research companies. There are master’s degrees available in environments like Biodiversity Management, and Water and Food sovereignty. Getting these degrees could open the door to higher paying, more satisfying roles in the long-term.
Build on Your Resume
While a degree in the right field should improve your chances of getting a well-paying job, you can also take your resume to the next level with some extra training and experience. One option is to look into becoming a chartered economist, which will require you to apply for a specific status by taking a test. Gaining chartered status can help you to apply for more senior positions and sophisticated projects, depending on your career plan.
Another excellent strategy is to consider applying for entry-level roles and apprenticeships, so you can develop experience in your industry. Although you may not get the highest wage from these career opportunities to begin with, you should be able to use the experience you get to make yourself stand out when compared to other job applicants in the future. You’ll also be able to do some crucial networking to expand your professional circle.
Double-Down on Relevant Skills
Alongside your experience and education, the skills you develop can make a huge difference to your career opportunities. Ecologists are often required to have fantastic time management and organizational talents, as they need to handle a wide range of responsibilities on a daily basis. You may also need to think about developing your computer skills, so you can work with sophisticated databases and software programs to answer crucial questions.
Other skills that can come in handy during the course of building your career include communication capabilities, and a good writing ability. After all, you may need to write reports, papers, and grant proposals throughout your career. Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities are also highly sought-after in this field.
Stay Motivated
Remember, the path to becoming a successful ecologist can seem time-consuming and complex at times. However, if you’re committed to your craft, and you’re willing to consistently work on opening the door to new opportunities, you could benefit greatly from this industry.
