As in most industries, in ecological consultancy gaining relevant work experience early on is very important as this can help you gain practical skills, enhance your CV and become more employable. Work experience can be obtained through work placements. Work placements are typically a short term of a week or two, where you can work for a week or two in an organisation and in ecological consultancy will be most enjoyable and relevant in the summer months where there is more fieldwork taking place.
The important thing about work placements is that they provide an opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge and help you with your course, but they can also assist you to learn more about a job or industry and therefore, better define your career path. Work placements are also a great way of networking with industry professionals.
We were more than happy to welcome Will Cooke in Acer Ecology this week. See what he says about his experience at Acer Ecology below:
My studies
I study Physical Geography at the University of South Wales.
My work experience at Acer Ecology
This week, the project I have been studying is the vegetation of walls, which species grow on urban walls and why. I undertook research on this subject and then presented my findings to the Acer team at the end of my week. As part of my project, I was a member of Acer Ecology’s team for one week.
Will explaining his project.
As well as researching for my project, I have undertaken a reptile survey where we encountered slow-worms and common lizards and helped install nest-tubes as part of an ongoing dormouse survey. In addition, I shadowed the Acer Ecology ecologists during two dusk emergence surveys for bats. Before taking part in the bat surveys I was shown how to use different types of bat detectors and how to analyse the data that they collect, as well as how to identify a bat species by the frequency of their calls. The project on the vegetation of walls has greatly expanded my knowledge of identifying plants.
The skills and knowledge I have learned in the last week will be incredibly useful to me as I would like to continue in this field of work after completing my degree and it has given me an insight into the dynamics of working for an ecological consultancy. Every employer will ask what kind of previous experience you have and a week at Acer Ecology has added a lot to that!
Will presenting his findings on the vegetation of walls.
I have really enjoyed the week I have spent at Acer Ecology. I would definitely recommend work experience to anyone interested in this line of work. The most enjoyable parts of this week were setting up dormouse nesting tubes on a sunny day in the countryside or the first bat survey I participated in where there were nearly a dozen bats flying around at one time.
You can find out more on how to make yourself more employable and stand out from the crowd on How to get Ahead in Ecology Part 1 and Part 2.
