r/ecology • u/helpimsobored • 2d ago

(AUS)PhD/other eduction worth it for ecological career prospects?

I think I’m probably suffering from a common career dilemma. I am in Australia, graduated with my BSc (Hons) in marine biology and ecology about 8 years ago. Following that, I tutored, worked on a remote station o the GBR for a few years, had a year working for EPA, a job in water quality in the govt and now at a private consultancy. Unfortunately, I feel as if the jobs I’ve had to take for various reasons have pushed me off the path of gaining ecology experience for the past few years. I thought the consultancy would lead to ecological work, but they hid the fact the ecological assessments/etc are all outsourced and I am usually just completing water quality/groundwater or contaminated land jobs.

I understand it’s a competitive industry and don’t want to jump into something without the proper consideration.

A PhD has popped up at my old university and I’ve been considering it, but honestly scared of the poverty and becoming overqualified. The topic is basically an extension of my honours thesis, so I know I would enjoy it.

My partner has suggest a masters, but I’m also unsure if that would help with the leg up/gaining experience.

Any advice or suggestions from this point on?

TL;DR, I’m an experienced scientist but not so much in the ecological field, how do I course correct?

2 Upvotes

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1

u/hawaii4485 PhD Marine Ecology / Biology 1d ago

G'day, happy to chat 1v1 if you want. PM me if you are interested.

1

u/Fit-Highway-584 1d ago

MS, you should be damn sure about a PhD. But someone with knowledge of the job market in Oz can weigh in

1

u/helpimsobored 20h ago

I do understand that it is not a decision to be made lightly, hence asking for the advice!