Education · 1 of 5

The path

A four-year degree gets you in the door. Field seasons get you hired. A master's degree is what moves you up.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Biology, chemistry and statistics matter most. Get outside a lot: volunteering on a trail crew or a bird count is real experience.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Ecology, biology, wildlife science, environmental science or natural resources. Take statistics and a mapping course, because data skills are what separate you from the crowd.

3. 3

   Field seasons and internships

   During and just after college

   Summer technician jobs with a state agency, a national forest or a university lab. Two or three of these is the normal price of a permanent job.

4. 4

   First permanent job

   1 to 2 years after graduating

   Environmental consulting, a state agency, a land trust or a federal science center. Consulting hires the most new graduates.

5. 5

   Master's degree, if you want to lead

   2 years, optional

   Two years, usually funded by a teaching or research assistantship. Most senior ecologist and project manager roles quietly expect it.