Ecology

As well as developing skills specific to ecology, such as scientific research skills and the ability to collect, monitor, record, analyse and present data and to identify plants and animals, an ecology degree also develops other skills which will help you secure a graduate job, whether it is in ecology or a completely different career such as management, finance, retail or self-employment

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Working as an Ecologist

See the full video at Careers4U 

Prospects

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 47% of ecology graduates were in work. They went into a wide variety of jobs with over 30% entering professional and technical occupations. Others went into careers in the business and commercial sector, education, retail and catering, and art, design and culture professions. Just over 7% also went on to do scientific research.

These are encouraging figures for ecologists who develop the kinds of transferable skills which are seen as being valuable to employers outside the ecology sector. Further study is an asset if you want to pursue ecology in more depth and may also help in the future for promotional prospects in this specialised sector.

Where are the jobs?

Typical fields of employment for ecologists are:

• Government and statutory sector - National agencies such as Natural England and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); museums and botanical gardens; local authority and government departments
• Businesses - Ecologists test and monitor the effects on wildlife and the environment of toxins and genetically modified organisms, and also work as wildlife guides in commercial ventures.
• Environmental consultancy - Environmental legislation has resulted in growth in environmental consultancy. Ecologists carry out field surveys, species and habitat monitoring, and environmental impact assessment for proposed developments.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - for example, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust.
• Ecology research - with a PhD, you can work as an academic researcher in universities and/or research institutes worldwide. A PhD is also required for some specialist ecology posts.
• Teaching - in schools, colleges, and field study centres. There is also educational work in science centres and museums.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Ecologist
• Nature conservation adviser
• Field trials officer
• Marine scientist
• Research scientist (life science)
• Soil scientist
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Agricultural consultant
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental education officer
• Environmental manager.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk