need info about ecology/environmnetal job!

Vilma · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 04:19 PM

Hi

I have a BSc in Ecology and Environmental Science and MSc in Sustainable Environmental Development with Management. I am looking for a job for over 3months and haven't got any call for interview!

I don't have any professional experience related with ecology except only 2months work in a lab testing contaminated soil and I also published an article about GMO (genetically modified organisms). I send my CV to advertised jobs and I also send CV to companies, saying that I am interested to work with them etc. I tried reach recruitment agencies but as I don't have experience they are not keen to talk with me

I am very motivated person and hard worker and I am asking if anyone could tell me how to find a job in environmental/ecology/sustainability/waste... sector? How did you get your first job?

Vilma · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 04:29 PM

By the way I live in London and can't move to another city.

eekoh · #3 (**permalink**) 15-01-2010, 06:59 PM

Don't be too discouraged, its practically impossible to get a graduate ecologist job in the winter! Ecology work is very seasonal - there's very little survey work that can be done in the winter so firms almost invariably wait until the spring before hiring any new staff.

Keep trying, be prepared to take contract work for your first year rather than holding out for a permanent job immediately and do as much as possible in your own time to get some practical experience, eg join your local bat group, see if there are any good projects with local wildlife trust etc.
Good luck.

Starchief · #4 (**permalink**) 24-07-2010, 12:11 AM

If you want to be an ecologist, try to get a specialism by going on short courses from places such as IEEM, the Wildlife Trusts, BTCV, Bat Conservation Trust, BTO etc etc., as well as getting RELEVANT voluntary work.

I've had people come in for interviews, all very keen, saying they'll do anything that's needed. They can prove how keen they are as they chopped down trees a few weekends ago. Very nice but not what I really need.

What I would be more impressed with is someone coming in and telling me they could, for instance, ID all the UK amphibians, or they had substantial experience in using bat detectors. I then can gauge if we have the need for that specialism. I'll also know that they can work straight away, plus train as well as be trained.

We can all be keen but we can't all be experts.