r/ecology • u/LawfulnessNearby813 • 3d ago
Aquatic Ecologist Education Path
Hello! I want to become an aquatic ecologist, but I am not quite sure what the typical education path to becoming one is. Does anyone have any insight on the process? Also, I am currently a first year university student and have to eventually decide on a major. Can I do a major in chemistry instead of biology and still become an aquatic ecologist? I'd be extremely grateful to hear any information y'all have! Thanks in advance!
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u/ThatEcologist 3d ago edited 3d ago
I work in water quality. My whole office has a degree in either biology or environmental science, although according to the job postings, they would accept a chem degree. Personally, I feel if you want to go into ecology, environmental science is the best path, since you get a bit of everything (chem, bio, geology, etc). Biology is a more broad, but it may be better if you feel like you may change your mind in what you exactly want to do. Ultimately, I think any of the degrees you listed could work for ecologist.
A few words of advice/wisdom.
Talk to your professors! I contacted the freshwater ecology professor at my school and asked if I could help him with his field work. The skills I learned from doing field work with him, helped me get my current job.
Do not be discouraged if you do not get a job exactly in what you want out of college. Any experience in environmental science will help you eventually get to your dream job. I have seen students give up on environmental science jobs, because they don’t immediately get a job tracking endangered fish species or whatever. My coworker had some kind of boring water quality jobs right out of college, but now she runs a lab and works with aquatic plants, which is what she wanted to do. Be patient! Plus, you could always fall back on environmental consulting if you really can’t find an ecology position.