Becoming an ecologist is a rewarding career, but it’s not as simple as just showing up. You need to be prepared, and you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.

The first step is to make sure that this is the right career path for you. Do you have an interest in the outdoors? Are you interested in how things work? Do you like working with people? If so, then becoming an ecologist might be the right choice for you.

Once you’ve decided that becoming an ecologist is the right choice for you, it’s time to start preparing for your future by doing research on environmental science programs and environmental science jobs. This can help you figure out whether or not this career path is right for you by giving you some insight into what kinds of jobs exist within this field and what kind of education would be required to get them.

Once it’s clear that becoming an ecologist is something that interests you and that there are jobs available within this field (and preferably ones that pay well), it’s time to start planning out how exactly you’ll go about achieving these goals. You’ll want to take any classes necessary to ensure that your degree will be accepted by employers who hire people with these qualifications;

How To Become Ecologist

Most ecologist jobs require an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree in ecology, biology, botany (plant science) or marine biology. Many also accept degrees in a related field such as conservation biology, environmental science, environmental planning, zoology, microbiology, geology or earth science. Chemistry is also highly relevant for ecologist jobs.

Some jobs – such as environmental consultants and planners, programme managers, natural resource managers and biologists/ecologists in the government, business or charity sectors – prefer or require a master’s. A PhD is often required for academic research, teaching and other research jobs. Some ecologists may also choose (or be required) to become professionally certified in their region or country.

When starting a career as an ecologist, real-life experience can greatly increase your chances of landing a job. We recommend gaining practical experience to complement your study through internships, volunteering and other work experience schemes.

Check out these resources:

• Conservation internships & volunteering that won’t break the bank.
• Conservation internships and volunteering.
• Top Conservation Internships | PAID & FREE Opportunities.

How do I get an ecology degree?

Search our Conservation Training board for degrees and courses related to ecology, such as:

Short courses

• Introduction to Ecology | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Bat online courses for ecologists | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Invasive Species | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Beginners Botany | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Habitat online courses for ecologists | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Grass Identification Self Study | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Surveying for Protected Species | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Mammal (Badger, Beaver, Dormouse & Otter) online courses for ecologists | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Reptile and amphibian online courses for ecologists | Ecology Training UK | Online.
• Ecological Monitoring | IUCN-PAPACO | Online.
• Ecology and Wildlife Conservation | Future Learn | Online.
• Interactive internship on the Smooth-coated otter behaviour in India | Wild Otters Research | Online.
• Frogs, Newts and Toads: British Amphibians | Field Studies Council (FSC) | High Beach, UK.
• Ecological Appraisal Fundamentals | Wildwood Ecology | Online.
• Bat Roost Survey Fundamentals | Wildwood Ecology | Online.
• Amazonian ABCs: Fundamentals of rainforest ecology in the Peruvian Amazon | Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon | Madre de Dios, Peru (Field course).

Postgraduate Certificates

• Ecological Survey Techniques | University of Oxford | Online & Oxford, UK.
• Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration & Sustainable Use | Yale School of the Environment | Online.

Master’s – UK

• Conservation Ecology | Oxford Brookes University | Oxford, UK.
• Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring | Manchester Metropolitan University | Shrewsbury, England.
• MSc Global Ecology and Conservation | Cardiff University | Cardiff, Wales.
• MSc Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology | University of Exeter | Cornwall, UK.
• MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | University of Exeter | Cornwall, UK
• Marine Ecosystem Management (MSc) | University of St Andrews | St Andrews, Scotland (Master’s).
• MSc Marine Environmental Management | University of York | York, England.
• MSc in Marine Environmental Management | University of Hull | Kingston upon Hull, England.
• Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring | Manchester Metropolitan University | Shrewsbury, England.
• Ecological Design Thinking | Schumacher College | Dartington, UK.

Master’s – USA

• Applied Ecology | SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry | New York City, USA.
• Ecology and Evolution | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, USA.
• Ecology, Evolution, Behavior | University of Illinois | IL, USA.
• Ecology and Environmental Sciences | University of Maine | Orono, ME, USA.
• Ecology and Conservation | Idiana University | IN, USA.
• Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology | Colombia University | Manhattan, NY, USA.
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | University of Arizona | AZ, USA.
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | University of Florida | FL, USA.
• Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration & Sustainable Use | Yale School of the Environment | Online.
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology – Traditional | University of Michigan | MI, USA.
• Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH, USA.
• Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology | University of California | Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
• Ecological systems | University of Maryland | Cambridge, MA, USA.
• Ecological Engineering | SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry | New York City, NY, USA.
• Ecology | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY, USA.
• Ecology and Evolution | Rutger’s University | New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
• Applied Ecology | Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI, USA.
• Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology | New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, NM, USA.

Master’s – Europe

• Ecology and Biodiversity | Stockholm University | Stockholm, Sweden.
• Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution | University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Ecology | Vrije Universiteit | Amsterdam, Netherlands
• International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology | University of Bremen | Bremen, Germany.
• M.Sc. Environmental Sciences | University of Freiburg | Freiburg, Germany.
• Landscape Ecology | University of Hohenheim | Stuttgart, Germany.
• International Master in Applied Ecology (IMAE) | Université de Poitiers | Poitiers, France.
• Biology and Ecology with Nature Conservation | University of Maribor | Maribor, Slovenia.

Master’s – Other regions

• Environmental Management | University of Queensland | Brisbane, Australia.

• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada.
• Environmental Science | Qatar University | Doha, Qatar.

Explore our Conservation Training board for more courses, postgraduate certificates, master’s and more training opportunities related to ecology.

What are the top ecologist skills?

Pick a typical ecologist career from the examples below to explore skills and experience employers are looking for.  

Field research and monitoring

Specialist Skills, Knowledge & Certifications

• Survey skills (e.g. habitat surveys, protected species surveys, vegetation surveys; or other terrestrial and/or aquatic surveys).
• Species (flora and/or fauna) ID.
• Mapping (e.g. wetland delineations).
• Licences (e.g. for protected species, bats, reptiles, etc.).
• Regional and/or national certifications (e.g. land classification, wetland evaluation, etc.).
• Planning, coordinating and undertaking ecological fieldwork.

Transferrable Skills

• Organisational skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills (e.g. with colleagues, landowners).
• Driver’s licence and access to vehicle.
• Data management, including data recording, entry and analysis.
• IT literate.
• MS Office (e.g. Word, Excel).
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Flexibility to travel for work and work unsociable hours.
• Navigation in remote areas using maps and GPS.
• Attention to detail.
• Adaptability to changing work requirements.
• Working under pressure.

Experience

• Field experience.
• Knowledge of native and non-native species.
• Local experience.
• Supervising and/or training other field staff. 

Ecological consultancy

In addition to some of the skills and experience above, ecological consultants may also need…

Specialist Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of relevant policy, legislation and regulations, and their application (e.g. wildlife legislation, Endangered Species Acts, etc.).
• Professional membership (e.g. CIEEM in the UK).

Transferrable Skills

• Technical and/or report writing.
• Ability to explain scientific and technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• GIS (e.g. QGIS).
• Project management, including developing and implementing monitoring protocols to evaluate project performance; budget management.
• Client and relationship management.
• Ability to set and meet timelines.
• Able to communicate clearly with colleagues, clients and contractors.
• Supervising and/or training other ecologists (for more senior roles).
• Commercial awareness.

Experience

• Ecological consultancy experience.
• Experience with Ecological Impact Assessments.
• Experience preparing species at risk assessments.
• Experience managing contractors.
• Experience with health and safety.
• Experience with contract preparation and management, contractor oversight, budget management, and permitting processes.

Above image: The UKHab App, a guide to the UK Habitat Classification.

Restoration & Remediation

In addition to some of  the skills and experience listed above, restoration and remediation jobs may need…

Specialist Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of current trends and practices in restoration and/or environmental management.
• Knowledge of restoration design.

Experience

• Experience in ecological restoration
• Experience with grant writing and preparing scopes of work

Above image: Washington State Department of Ecology on Flickr.

Planning & Policy

Specialist Skills, Knowledge & Certifications

• Knowledge of ecosystem sciences, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, landscape ecology, environmental planning, and/or impact assessment.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Relevant certifications (e.g. wetland evaluation, ecological land classification).
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and reports.
• Understanding of construction techniques and mitigation measures to prevent environmental damage.

Transferrable Skills

• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Customer service, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to articulate complex ecological concepts to non-ecologists.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to review, interpret and implement policies.
• Project management.
• Ability to collaborate with other technical staff and disciplines.
• Time management skills to ensure deadlines are met.
• Meeting facilitation skills.
• Valid driver’s licence.