Conservation Career Paths

There are many career paths available for people with experience in conservation and an interest in STEM which offer opportunities to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection. Some of the possible roles are listed below:

1. Environmental Scientist

• Role: Study human impacts on ecosystems and develop plans to prevent or mitigate environmental damage (such as pollution).
• Skills: Strong report writing skills and proficiency in data analysis.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field; advanced postgraduate degrees can be beneficial.

2. Zoologist

• Role: Study wildlife, their behaviours and their environments to protect and conserve them.
• Skills: Fieldwork, data collection, communication and analysis, understanding of animal behaviour and ecology.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife conservation, or a related field.

3. Conservation Biologist

• Role: Study habitats and biodiversity to reduce human impact on nature through habitat restoration.
• Skills: Strong research abilities, data analysis, communication and organisational skills.
• Education: Degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or conservation.

4. Marine Biologist

• Role: Study marine organisms and their interactions with the environment in order to protect marine wildlife.
• Skills: SCUBA diving qualification, fieldwork experience, data analytical skills and knowledge of marine ecosystems.
• Education: Degree in marine biology, oceanography, or a related field; advanced degrees for research positions.

Photo by Matt Bassett

5. Environmental Engineer

• Role: Develop solutions to environmental problems to improve public health, such as designing systems for waste management, water treatment, and pollution control, as well as renewable energy.
• Skills: Engineering background, project management (for more advanced roles), problem solving and a good understanding of environmental laws and regulations.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree and masters degree in environmental engineering or a related engineering field.

6. Ecologist

• Role: Study living organisms and their interactions with their environments.
• Skills: Fieldwork, statistical analysis & GIS, written communication and strong research capabilities.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental science, biology or zoology; postgraduate degrees often required for research roles.

7. GIS Specialist

• Role: Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to visualise and analyse spatial data for environmental and conservation projects.
• Skills: GIS software proficiency, data analysis, mapping, and communication.
• Education: Degree in geography, computer science, environmental science, or a related field with a focus on GIS. Extra qualifications outside of formal education are useful.

8. Climate Change Analyst

• Role: Study the effects of climate change, model future climate scenarios, and develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Skills: Data analysis, climate modelling, statistical analysis, and strong research skills.
• Education: Degree in environmental science, climatology, meteorology, or a related field.

Photo by Benjamin Sadd

9. Conservation Data Scientist

• Role: Use data science techniques to analyse environmental data, monitor species populations, and optimize conservation efforts.
• Skills: Programming (e.g., Python, R, GIS), data analysis and statistical modelling.
• Education: Degree in computer science, data science, or environmental science with a focus on data analysis.

10. Forestry Technician

• Role: Manage and protect forests, ensuring sustainable use of forest resources and conservation of habitats.
• Skills: Interpersonal skills and communication, technical knowledge of forest ecology, problem solving and critical thinking.
• Education: Degree in forestry, environmental science, or forest management.

11. Hydrologist

• Role: Study water resources and develop sustainable management of water systems.
• Skills: Written communication skills, data analysis, and knowledge of water management practices.
• Education: Degree in hydrology, geology, environmental science, environmental engineering  or a related field.

12. Environmental Educator

• Role: Teach and raise awareness about the environment, issues and how to protect it.
• Skills: Communication, teaching, and knowledge of environmental science.
• Education: Degree in environmental science, education, or a related field.

13. Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

• Role: Develop and promote farming practices that are environmentally sustainable.
• Skills: Knowledge of agricultural science, experience with environmental impact assessments, communication and analysis skills.
• Education: Degree in agricultural science, environmental science, or a related field.

Photo by Benjamin Sadd

Additional Tips for Pursuing a Conservation and STEM Career:

1. Gain Practical Experience: Internships, volunteer work, and fieldwork are crucial for gaining hands-on experience.
2. Stay Updated: Keeping up with the latest research and developments in conservation biology.
3. Networking: Join professional organizations and attend conferences related to conservation and STEM fields.
4. Certifications and Advanced Training: Obtaining certifications or pursuing further education can enhance job prospects.

These career paths not only offer the chance to work in fascinating and diverse environments but also make significant contributions to preserving the planet for future generations. Joining OpWall can really help to understand the diverse range of career paths open to you, and the experience you gain can enable you to access them!

Joining an OpWall expedition enables you to gain a huge diversity of field work experience. Even if you don’t end up doing field work as part of a future career, understanding how data is collected is crucial to lots of different roles. Appreciating wildlife and conservation work is also incredibly important for a huge range of positions. Another brilliant aspect of joining OpWall is the ability to meet people and make connections in the field. Our research teams are made up of people who have a wider variety of backgrounds in conservation and STEM fields, and they are always happy to share advice too. The confidence and independence volunteers gain from joining us are also brilliant soft skills to expand on in interviews, as are communication and team-working!

Finally, OpWall offers R coding courses which are extremely valuable for anyone interested in a more analytical career path. It’s also worth noting that OpWall’s UK field courses at Knepp Estate come with a 50% discount off of the R course, and are also a brilliant opportunity to study UK wildlife and learn survey techniques that are specific to UK ecology.

Title photo by Alex Tozer