Careers as a private-sector environmental scientist

Ecology degree? Now what? You apply to public or private organizations, but what makes your resume stand out among the mathematical modelers or backwoods farm kids who trapped mink and drive a diesel 4X4? I look for employees that work hard, don’t quit, and solve real problems in real time. Their field work may involve surveys of water quality, fish, plants, invasive species, birds, or freshwater mussels. In the office, they write proposals, enter field data, and draft reports. The private sector requires long days and hard work. It is challenging and rewarding, but not for the faint of heart.