I’m a teen and i have always been into nature more and more every year. i really want a career based on nature probably research like watching nature and studying it or discovering new species. something like those what are your jobs? or some suggestions on careers. its also interesting to hear about other peoples careers and possibilities.
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Jack,
Many areas of nature have almost no taxonomists working on them. If you go into areas like entomology (bugs) or mycology (mushrooms) you can do nothing BUT describe new species, if you want to.
There are a number of recent threads on this, including this one:
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It is great you’re interested in a career in nature! My advice to you now is to learn “broadly.” By that I mean, take whatever classes you can that interest you. Go on field trips with experienced naturalists. Read books, watch documentaries, listen to relevant podcasts. Volunteer to help out if you can. Once you get into college, major in biology or something equivalent, but look at classes in other departments, and keep on learning broadly - take advantage of that college library! Ask people (like us) for advice: “Are there field trips I should go on? Any volunteer opportunities? Any opportunities to study abroad? What books should I read? How did you get to where you are now?” And so on.
At some point, you’ll figure out that, say, ants just absolutely fascinate you and you’ll do everything you can to find some way to learn more about them and do research. Or you’ll stumble into some biology job somewhere and that will open other pathways down the line. In the meantime, delve deeply into iNaturalist (kind of hard to do if it’s winter where you are now!) - make lots of observations, poke around on the taxon pages, ask lots of questions. Good luck and have fun!
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Honestly, I recommend not thinking about that too much until uni. Then doing a general Biology bachelor (or something similar), and use the Master’s degree for specialisation.
In BSc Biology you will do so many courses that will either further or lessen your interest in a particular field that it would be (IMO) wrong to make any potentially limiting decisions before.
For example, in school I wanted to do a career in biotechnology and molecular biology. Nowadays, my fight-or-flight response kicks in, if you even so much as approach me with a microlitre-pipette…
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If there is a Museum of Natural History at a practical distance from where you live, that is the first place I would try to go for advice.
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Wildlife careers are so varied. I’m in my mid-30s, and have worked in some very different roles - but all ones that have added to my overall wildlife knowledge and passion. I agree with the advice from everyone else thus far.
After my Bachelors in Zoology I worked as an ecologist for a local ecological consultancy in southern England with a view to this being my career. However, I wanted to get into research, so I volunteered for one study, and then moved to South Africa for my Master’s degree by research.
It was there that I met the person that is now my wife, so I moved country again - to USA this time. Since moving here I have worked as a Nature Center Assistant, Nature Center Manager, and Naturalist, as well as getting involved with citizen/community science projects, and the local Audubon Society (including being the chapter president for a short time). I now work for the state’s Division of Wildlife as a Wildlife Communications Specialist.
My advice is be flexible! Learn from others and find your passion.
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I don’t have a degree. My passion for nature started when I was little, but I only became a gardener approximately 8 years ago.
I agree that you don’t necessarily have to make a decision now or worry about what to get a degree in. I would give it some thought and maybe speak to a few people who are experienced in your area of interest.
I definitely would not limit those conversations to people who have been in that field for a long time. Personally I think it’s smart to hear opinions from those who are considered to be “experts” and most importantly- those who are either just starting off, etc. They will have a different perspective on it. But I truly believe all voices should be heard!:)
My life circumstances meant I never finished school. But I’ve gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge and experience from many things.
Working in my own garden.
Talking to my neighbors and educating them.
Helping design gardens for others.
Spending a lot of time taking photos and observing life in my garden to the point where I can actually tell you a story.
Enrolling in the Master Gardener program.
Applying for the State Master Naturalist
Hiking through CT and onCape to observe life.
Managing a church community garden.
Engaging with experts outside of iNat and not being afraid to connect with them, despite my lacking a degree.
These are just small examples and ones that I’ve taken personally to learn as much as I’m able, and become involved in the community.
A major part though, is being an iNat member. I consider it to be an honor! And I love connecting with other members and having the ability to make an actual impact on science in my area of interest.
(Tracy Zarrillo and Dr. John Ascher are using my iNat data as a part of their research. So I’m thrilled that my hard work is making a difference!:) It wouldn’t have happened without this community.
If I met someone who was in a circumstance similar to mine, these are some positive things I’d talk to them about. And obviously it’s not a path I’d have chosen 30 years ago. So I’m not recommending this to you. Just trying to show you that even if you choose college, my choices can also be of benefit. As in connecting with others, taking advantage of this community, etc
Hope my post is helpful.
Allie
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Bear in mind you can be very useful to wildlife without being a biologist. If you are good with computers, every conservation organisation needs IT staff who are willing to work for conservationists wages. Or you could study law, spend half your time on environmental cases and the other half amassing a personal fortune. If wildlife is your passion, it can be best to keep it as what you spend your free time on, rather than doing it as work 6 days a week and becoming jaded and disenchanted.
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The young people we know in wildlife conservation careers (23-25 years old) got experience before graduating college that opened doors for them:
- Volunteering at nature centers, starting with grunt work (fill the birdfeeders) and advancing to catch, band and release wildlife
- Working at the university in jobs related to your interest: work in the lab of your major (biology, computer science) and/or your college’s outdoor properties (arboretum, groundskeeping)
- Job shadowing or interning at the different kinds of employers (nonprofit, government, for-profit) for a day or a week or months even while still in high school
- We noticed two tracks in particular for getting a foot in the door: computer skills (programming languages and/or GIS) and public-facing opportunities like leading nature hikes (bird walks, naturalist tours)
- Americorps (you’re in Virginia, it appears from your profile) has opportunities for paid internships, often requiring a college degree, on public lands such as wildlife refuges and national parks
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For that matter, if you look through job postings for conservation organizations, you might see job titles such as “major gifts officer,” which (I think) has to do with big-ticket donors and bequests.
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I don’t know where you are, or what age teen ( big difference from 13 to 19!), I can tell you I have a daughter working for a major city park system.
Her start was learning about nature her entire life…something’s helpful were summer camps (Girl Scout) that were nature themed. That lead to CIT (counselor in training). She pretty much invented her position as the nature center leader. All the summers through college applying and working many different camps lead to a full time position.
Life got in the way of needing more money, so she did change jobs and while working full time, she started picking up part-time temp jobs with the park system and taking classes for certifications for special things allowing for the park to have nature centers with reptiles and turtles. The certifications will move with her, she will find other parks and centers to work as life moves on.
Her college choice was English Lit, aiming at becoming a teacher. So, goals change your life and life changes goals.
Good luck to you.
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Thank you everyone i am looking for volunteering opportunities in my area now! Its wired for people my age i think but i have tropical plants above my bed to study and to eat for fun. and I’m working on a vivarium to study and watch for fun again. I am on the younger side (8th grade) so i have lots of time. I’m also building a greenhouse! its actually almost done also probably will post observations with it and my room.
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