I have a bachelor's degree in biology and am trying to decide between two job opportunities. My long-term goal is to become a biologist, ideally in an aquatic or coastal field.
One opportunity is an aquatic technician position in coastal South Carolina, involving pond management, water quality, and aquatic system maintenance. The other is a fish culturist position at a state fish hatchery in Pennsylvania, involving raising fish, hatchery operations, and fish care.
I'm trying to figure out which job would give me more valuable experience and better opportunities to eventually move into a biologist position.
For those of you who work in biology, fisheries, ecology, or environmental science, which path do you think would be more beneficial long-term? I'm especially interested in which experience would be more transferable to other biology jobs and which might offer better opportunities to transition into research, fieldwork, or professional biologist positions.
I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experience in either field or have made a similar career transition!

See also: The study as it was published in ISME Communications.

Hi all! I’m a second year PhD student, and I just got accepted to a short course at the Cary Institute (ecosystem ecology) that I’m currently debating.

I could make the logistics work and get funding from my department to go, but I’m wondering if it’s worth the time. I think it would be a good learning opportunity and beneficial to be in such an intensive ecology-focused environment for a few weeks (my PhD focuses on conservation social science and environmental psychology, so I don’t get a ton of heavy ecology content from my courses).

Have any other PhD students done this course or any similar programs? Was it worth it? I was excited to be accepted, but I get worried about anything paid like this. I don’t want to put myself at a disadvantage by doing a “pay your way” thing where I don’t really gain any new skills/knowledge/etc.

I have until this weekend to decide lol. What would y’all do if you were in my place? Any advice or suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

Even tho Europes ecology on land with fauna is rather lacking.

The Oceans/Seas are rather full of amazing aquatic food-chains and key-stone species.

Which need much more apperciation if we are going to keep Europe more eco-friendly(cause Dolphins-Orcas/Seals/Larger;Smaller Whales and many species of large fish are in very big risk).

I'm currently researching Native ecosystems and wish to figure local level conservation solutions. I'm also writing a book about it. I wish to get opinions and thoughts from passionate people.

Can someone please tell me what kind of shell this is please ? Its a freshwater mussle

For reference, I am majoring in biology and doing the ecology and evolutionary bio pathway at my university already. I have been thinking about declaring a minor and thought I would ask beforehand. I know the major response is gonna be "doesnt matter" or "depends on what kinda of ecology you pursue" but I wanted to hear some more specific insight from people who may have studied these before

This may fall foul of rule 7, but I am not quite sure where else to ask this.

In a situation in which human factors like habitat loss was not a major factor. How long would it take bird populations to recover from a cataclysmic disaster?

Specifically if you had a situation in which 90% of birds across Eastern Europe were systematically hunted and killed over the course of a couple of years (Maybe similarly to the sparrows in the 5 pests campaign), how long would it take for birds from neighbouring regions to colonise the area after the danger had passed without human intervention?

If this is inappropriate, where would be a better place to ask a question like this?

1. I'm currently in my Bachelor's trying to choose a concentration in Natural Resource Ecology & Management. My minor will be GIS (switching over from Geography for job prospects... if anyone has any insight on that.)
2. I currently live in Louisiana. My partner and I plan to move to the Virginia coast and stay around that area. I know this isn't conducive to the type of work in this field, really the opposite of what I see (ping-ponging around the West), but I want to make it work.

Some factors about each program:

Ecological Restoration: Not heavy on economics. Includes classes on conservation biology, ecology, forestry, soil science, wildlife management, etc. without going too deep into any specific subject.

Forestry: Certified by SAF. Includes 8 weeks of off-campus field study at a forest managed by the college. Not heavy on economics.

From what I understand, the idea is that Forestry majors can typically get roles in Forestry and other ecological roles, but not vice versa.

Money isn't a huge deal to me, I just want to be employed in any way related to my major, even if it's 30k/yr.

NOTE: This article is complemented by a couple of publications in Environmental Research Letters and Manufacturing and Office Operations Management.

Does anyone have any recommendations for books on the ecology of Long Island?

Hi all, I have been struggling on the job market for a while now and wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me. I am based in Colorado.

I graduated over a year ago with a MS in Ecology and Evolution, and immediately prior I graduated with a BS in Biology. Throughout college, I did research on insects, working under two advisors, mainly focusing on behavior, especially in the projects I led for my thesis. I did also become familiar with some genomics and immune work in these labs as well.

In high school and college, I had side jobs working with children, so in my post-graduate and unemployed era I've found myself leaning on that experience since I've been unable to find a job in the field. I substitute taught for a while (which I hated), then over the summer I landed a role as a camp counselor at the zoo (which I loved). Unfortunately, I don't feel particularly called to becoming a traditional classroom teacher, though I did consider it for a while especially while subbing.

Throughout the past year, it feels like I have exhausted every avenue. I've applied to lab roles, environmental consulting jobs, agriculture jobs, government jobs, environmental education, even cannabis jobs (as it is a huge industry here). It seems the only applications that get any attention are the ones in environmental education due to the crossover of my science and childcare experience, but those roles are so few and far between. I can't even get a call back about retail jobs.

I know that it all comes down to lack of experience. No recruiter is satisfied with my experience. Even though I have lab experience, it's not the "right" lab experience. No matter how I try to market my work, it's never enough; this market is just too competitive. Are there any types of jobs I haven't considered yet? Or organizations that may be more likely to hire me at my experience level? After a recent rejection, I'm trying to try something new, but I'm out of ideas which is why I'm here. Any advice is highly appreciated, thank you:).

One of the things making me feel bleak about my job search in this field (9 and a half months of searching now) is that a lot of environmental workers got laid off from government cuts as well as there being fewer jobs due to environmental deregulation from the federal government. I guess I've assumed that I'm competing for these jobs that are supposed to be for recent grads against people with years or decades of experience... so if anyone can confirm if that's true or not (in Canada specifically!!!) that would be good to know lol.

See also: The publication in PNAS

Got a few on my milkweed for the first time this year. Anyone else? Maryland...

Calling all Canadian Ecologists!!

Background
I am an Aussie female (36) who recently completed my Bachelor of Environmental Science, majoring in Ecology & Conservation - mature age student, second lease on life

Possibly doing honours next year. Working casually for an environmental NFP. Lots of experience volunteering for field work but no actual "ecology job" experience yet.

I'm on the East Coast, near the Gold Coast so have been learning more subtropical/coastal ecosystems.

My partner is Canadian & we have discussed moving to Canada in the future (like in 5 years or so, long time off).

His family is on the East Coast (New Brunswick) but he grew up in BC so we will probably move somewhere between Revelstoke, Nelson and Fernie area.

I did 18 months at Fernie when I was younger & absolutely love the mountains, the creeks & your incredible wildlife.

Question

I would love to get a jump start on any skills that might help me get a job in ecology (or similar) in Canada, so just wondering what skills or education I could improve on to get a better understanding of the Canadian ecosystems that would increase my chances.

Or do I just rock up with my can-do attitude & hope for the best?

Should I start learning about bears?

Also, what happens in winter? Do you keep ecoligying? are there winter vs summer ecologists? Is it the same job with just a big warm jacket on? I’m so curious!

Any recommendations, tricks or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I'm not a scientist, so I can't say which approach has the greatest benefit over the cost.

However, I think that whatever path we choose, its implementation should be undertaken thoughtfully and with an understanding that nature is not designed for our convenience.

The extermination of sparrows in China has already shown that it's best to think twice before resorting to drastic measures.

Hey😅

First time going to Indonesia in November for Mangrove research and mangroves planting. I’m thinking what to pack since my backpack can only be 5kg.

Should I pack hiking pants or shorts would be better? Or maybe leggings?

For the shoes are leather shoes okay or should I buy Neoprene boots?

Besides that I will pack water, sun hat, wondering if anything else?

thanks:)

I'm from Europe and had never heard of this conference until it popped up today online when I was looking through future events in the field.

It looks pretty legit and seems like something I could definitely use but since I've never heard of it I just need someone who's been to one or is going in January to confirm that this isn't like a scam or something before I actually make any moves on registering. Thought this would be the place to ask.