The following roles are examples of job opportunities available to graduates of the Ecology and Wildlife Conservation programmes, drawing on skills in ecology, environmental management, data collection, and public engagement:
Nature Conservation Officer Protect and enhance wildlife habitats through fieldwork, community engagement, and conservation planning.
Ecologist Conduct surveys and ecological assessments, using data to inform development decisions and conservation strategies.
Environmental Consultant Advise organisations on environmental risks and compliance, working across commercial and governmental projects.
Environmental Education Officer Deliver outreach programmes to schools and the public to promote environmental awareness and engagement.
Marine Scientist Analyse marine environments, including coral reefs, fisheries, and ocean ecosystems.
Forest/Woodland Manager Manage a forested area including balancing conservation with sustainable timber production.
Fisheries Officer Monitor aquatic life, advises on sustainable fishing and promotes the conservation of fish.
Zoologist Study animal behaviour, physiology, and habitats, often working in research institutions, conservation bodies or zoos.
Zookeeper Care for animals in zoos or wildlife parks and provides education on the animals to the public.
An Ecology and Wildlife Conservation degree also equips you for a range of other career paths where transferable skills like research, communication, and analysis are highly valued:
Policy Officer Research and shape policy on climate change, conservation, and land use in government and NGOs.
Science Writer Convey scientific information to the public via the general media or through scientific publications.
Sustainability Consultant Advise organisations on strategies to reduce their environmental impact and implement sustainable practices.
Environmental/Sustainability Manager Ensure that an organisation is meeting environmental/sustainability legislation and targets.
Recycling Officer Design, monitor, improve and publicise recycling schemes.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Officer Use mapping and spatial data technologies to analyse habitats, species distribution, and environmental risks.
Higher Education Lecturer Contribute to new scientific knowledge in universities through advanced study and teaching.
Research Scientist Design and conduct experiments to generate new knowledge, solve problems, and advance understanding.
Government Research Officer Gather, analyse, and interpret data to inform public policy, support decision-making, and evaluate the effectiveness of government programmes.
Volunteer Coordinator Recruit and manage volunteers, who play a vital role in the conservation sector.
This is a selection of organisations that have employed University of Kent graduates in the past. There are many more possible employers in these and other industries.
The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes a vacancy database advertising a range of graduate jobs, placement year and vacation work/internships.
A year in industry can have a big impact on your employability. By gaining real-world experience and learning key skills in the workplace, and pairing these with the knowledge you gain on your degree, you can become a highly employable candidate in the labour market. The year can be based in the UK or abroad, including your home country if you're an international student, and contribute to your final degree. At The University of Kent, many courses include an optional year in industry between your second and final year, where you undertake graduate-level work related to your studies.
Some conservation graduates go on to specialise through postgraduate qualifications. You may consider courses in: