[mantajohn9]

I found myself in a similiar situation when I left college. When I was at school conservation and ecological careers were started to be banded as a great path to take. My careers advisor informed me that they were loads of jobs and careers for the taking. I left school in '91 went to college (polytechnic then) and specialised in terrestrial ecology and conservation. I completed my course and got a reasonable honours degree, together with a massive pile of debt. Unfortunately the only work available was voluntary which at the time the dole office wasn't happy about so spent some time working on the bins. Grants were available to enter teaching which I decided to take. 14 years later I'm still in the classroom and still enjoying it. I may not be at the front end of ecological research or working on massive conservation projects but it does still enable me to stay in touch with a subject I enjoy so much.

Maybe something to consider the profession always needs people who are passionate about their subject.