24 Jun Supporting professional development: Welcoming students on work experience placements
The Oxfordshire team recently welcomed A-level students Emma and Maya for work experience placements. Both were keen to learn more about what working as an ecologist involves as they explore options for further study and future careers.
Emma and Maya spent time working alongside experienced ecologists assisting on reptile, badger, habitat and ground level tree assessment surveys, collected automated bat detectors and helped the ecologists to collate and check the equipment needed for survey work.
As well as daytime surveys, Emma was also able to take part in morning and evening surveys for great crested newt.
Emma commented: βIt has been really motivating to see how enthusiastic and passionate people are about working in Ecology and to experience life as an Ecologist for a week. I particularly enjoyed the great crested newt survey as I was able to handle a newt (under the licence of one of the BSG Ecologists).
As I am studying Biology and Geography at A-level, it was rewarding to gain practical experience around these subjects to complement the theoretical work and to help me understand the career options I could pursue.β
We wish them both well as they continue their studies.
If you interested in a career in ecology we have written an article starting a career in ecology, including the skills you could develop to help set yourself apart: Starting A Career As A Professional Ecologist