Most Valuable Non-Ecology Jobs for Ecologists?

[Genuine Gin]

As a budding ecologist, I have been spending the summer doing as much work experience and volunteering as possible. However, without a full time job or traineeship, I am aware that when the survey season is over opportunities in ecology will be thin on the ground. What non-ecology jobs could I do over the winter that would give me useful skills for when ecology jobs become available again?

[Adam Cheeseman]

What do you mean by when the survey season is over as there are always surveys to do year round. Fewer in winter , yes but all still need doing.

I would suggest you try working with a local Countryside Ranger Service / Wildlife Trust so you can gain estate and habitat management skills to enable you to gain a fuller, more rounded understanding of countryside management of which ecology is a part. It may help to make your understanding of the requirements and restrictions placed on staff when carrying out work programmes based on ecological principles.

Cheers,

Adam

[Genuine Gin]

Thank you, Adam I was given the impression that in the winter there was very little practical work to do and office work would not require any assistance so it is reassuring to know I wont be high and dry!

I probably should have been clearer; I am hoping to go into consultancy.

Ranger/conservation work sounds ideal as it would, as you say, give me a good understanding of mitigation strategies and what goes into carrying them out.

I will continue to look for survey work then and aim to gain ranger experience in the meantime!

Gin

[Meta menardi]

Any experience you can get with GIS and computer logging of records will be helpful.

[teresaf]

Hi Gin, you may want to try your "Local Record Centre" (google it) - most welcome volunteers and it's a great way to get the computer experience Meta menardi mentions. It can also be a useful source of local ecological consultancy contacts.
Disclaimer - I'm an LRC peep, hope I haven't gone against the T&Cs of this forum by mentioning us.
Teresa

[wanlock dod]

Getting a better background on the regulatory side of why the surveys need to be done in the first place is probably very useful if you plan to move into consultancy. Something with the council or local environmental regulators in a relevant area might not be viewed as an "ideal job" but coudl leave you with insight into areas that many of your peers don't have.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by wanlock dod

Getting a better background on the regulatory side of why the surveys need to be done in the first place is probably very useful if you plan to move into consultancy.

TBH - not really. Consultancies know what needs a licence and tend to fill up the first 10 pages of any report with some standard cut and paste paragraphs about "the law" etc.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Genuine Gin

As a budding ecologist, I have been spending the summer doing as much work experience and volunteering as possible. However, without a full time job or traineeship, I am aware that when the survey season is over opportunities in ecology will be thin on the ground. What non-ecology jobs could I do over the winter that would give me useful skills for when ecology jobs become available again?

First thing would be to list your relevant experience - what do you have under your belt that is needed by a consultancy and where are the gaps. Do you have any specialisms to offer ?

[teresaf]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

TBH - not really. Consultancies know what needs a licence and tend to fill up the first 10 pages of any report with some standard cut and paste paragraphs about "the law" etc.

Although this isn't my area so I'm not really qualified to comment, I do note that the recently published IEEM report on ecological skills gaps says:

6.6 By contrast, professionals are relatively confident in their knowledge of
environmental legislation and policy. This view is not shared by employers and
stakeholders who are often disappointed with graduates’ level of knowledge and
understanding about key European and national policies. IEEM members spent nearly
4,000 hours developing their knowledge of environmental policy and law during 2009-10,
the sixth most important area of their CPD.

So wanlock dod's suggestion might well give someone the edge. I guess this report is probably useful reading for anyone aiming for a career as an ecologist.

[Matt Smith]

I would take most of what the IEEM say with a pinch of salt - most of their efforts seem to be aimed at keeping themselves in business, by that I mean keepting the nice cosy had office jobs salaried. They have a "CPD" requirement, which means they send you a piece of paper for you to fill in with whatever you care to list - I would suggest that a large part of their information is made up when the form is filled in.