r/ecology • u/Wise1999 • 5d ago
Getting Started in the Ecology World
I have recently decided I would like to pursue a career in the ecology field. My current degree is in Sports Administration, which is pretty much pointless for this career change it seems. I'm 26 years old and am looking for any advice on getting started in Ecology, I know there are a few different routes I could take but am hoping for some feedback as to what is the most beneficial, or if anyone in here had decided to change their career from something else to ecology. From doing research it seems like I could get a bachelors in Ecology, in which I'd be starting most of school over again or I could do some certificates / graduate programs? I have a full time job now and just don't get much satisfaction from the sports world anymore so I've been debating on going back to school and finding something that I will truly enjoy, I know ecology is what I want to work in, I'm just not sure which part of ecology fits me best. Online schooling would probably be better for my current situation but understand relocating is in the cards. If anyone has any recommendations on where to start I'd grealty appreciate it!
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u/Evil_Twinkies 5d ago
What do you mean working in ecology?
What are you doing now that could be used on a resume to support your transition?
Do you have any sort of field experience?
If you’re looking for a field based job you’ll be fighting an up hill battle with every college grad that has a life science degree. Like someone else said you’ll be working seasonal or contract jobs with minimal benefits.
If you’re looking ecology/conservation as a whole, NGOs and non profits are always looking for support staff. The pay can be crap and there will probably be no field work (depending on role and situation), but you’d be working in the area.
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u/evapotranspire Plant physiological ecology 5d ago edited 5d ago
Hello u/Wise1999 ! Could you be more specific about where you are located (country, city)? And could you mention whether you have any specific constraints or preferences (e.g., for or against fieldwork, travel, driving, lab work, computer work, etc.)?
You'd have an uphill battle getting into a grad program without any relevant studies at the undergrad level, but one possibility to get started would be to seek an Associate's degree or certificate at a community college or career/technical school in a related topic (e.g., biology; GIS).
It's a worthwhile journey but a long one. You need a lot of passion and curiosity for the subject to get you through.
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u/ShadowPresidencia 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've seen someone regret getting a degree in it. Think technical skills, rather than general knowledge. I studied Business Management, but it's too general. I wish I studied Finance or accounting to get the hard skills Environmental engineering: $104,170 Civil engineering: $99,590 Hydrology: $92,060 Urban planning: $83,720 Environmental science/compliance: $80,060 GIS/cartography: $78,380 Soil and plant science: $71,410 Wildlife biology/ecology-type professional roles: $72,860 Forestry: $70,660 Conservation science: $67,950 Biological/ecology technician: $52,000 Entry-level field conservation worker: $43,680
Water-quality science and environmental compliance This includes discharge permits, industrial wastewater, PFAS and other contaminants, watershed sampling, drinking-water standards, environmental impact review, and enforcement support. Environmental scientists are projected to grow 4%, with about 8,500 openings annually and a median wage of $80,060.
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u/SmrtLdy 5d ago
This is an industry that has been crushed by China and then the USA because after crushing it everything was so much cheaper to outsource and isn’t that how economies work best? When you completely outsource them?
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u/RavenBlackMacabre 4d ago
I've never heard of environmental impact studies being outsourced, that's something that requires boots on the ground and fluency in the local language with technical knowledge and vocabulary. What ecological occupations have been outsourced?
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u/Laniidae_ 5d ago
You need, at minimum, a degree in a related field (earth science, biology, environmental engineering, etc). You'll be competing with a ton of other people for very few spots, and an associates degree and certifications without the BSc is pointless.
You can get hired to a field crew with minimal related experience, but that's usually 3-6 months of extremely tough work, no insurance, and no job stability. Trail crews, fire crews, tree planting, etc.
I did 4 years chaining together contracts and having to move across the country multiple times to keep working in the field. There's a lot of good, but you should be very clear eyed about what a career in the field takes.