Richard, assistant local government ecologistI graduated in rural environmental science, followed by an MSc in Ecology. Before I chose ecology, I considered law with a specialism in environmental issues – but decided there’d be no real opportunity to do field work! I also considered environmental health, which includes issues regarding pollution and sustainability, but decided I wanted more involvement in conservation and wildlife. I started working for the authority on a 12-month contract, running a scheme for the local community encouraging wildlife gardens. Then, by chance a vacancy came up for an assistant ecologist post. In this employment sector it’s essential to have voluntary experience. I didn’t need to take a year out to do this as I have been involved in a Wildlife Trust from an early age. My job involves providing advice to the planning department on ecological issues that need to be considered for development, providing advice internally and to the public, including how the authority meets obligations under a range of legislation. I also fulfil the role of biodiversity officer. There are opportunities to get involved in a great range of work areas, including encouraging the local authority to be more aware of biodiversity issues. Unfortunately there aren’t that many opportunities to be hands-on. Practical conservation work is carried out by wardens at country parks and my office work restricts the time I have to get out and do survey work! Local government has a really clear career structure that makes it possible to progress upwards – although this means I’d move away from ecology into more general management. Alternatively, I’d like to work for a specialist organisation like a Wildlife Trust, as I imagine there’s more opportunity to make a difference that you can really see – like managing a nature reserve or restoring habitats. back to top Andrew, rural services managerFollowing my BSc in Agriculture, I spent a year working on the family dairy farm. This period helped me to decide that I wanted to follow a different career direction. I felt that rural services, working for a specialist team dealing with farmers, within an accountancy firm, would allow me to use the skills I had learnt on my degree, whilst continuing within an area of particular interest to me. I briefly considered other professions that have dealings with the farming community, for example, banking, surveying and consultancy, but was attracted to the breadth and prestige that the ACA qualification (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) would give me and the scope this would allow to diversify in the future. The key tasks of my job are preparing accounts, financial consultancy, tax planning and capital tax-related work, for example inheritance tax planning. What do I enjoy? I have progressed relatively quickly and therefore have been given more responsibility at an early stage. This has allowed me to build our rural offering in Exeter and I have an increasingly client-facing role. What don’t I enjoy? Daily timesheets - a necessary evil! The way I would like my career to progress is to continue doing worthwhile work for farmers, promoting their affairs and building my team and client portfolio. My tips for other graduates? Take the time to speak to others in job roles that you are considering. In nearly all cases, in my experience, people are extremely flattered when young people come to them for advice and are glad to help. A concise CV and a professional covering letter are important, but do avoid anything too obviously prepared by a recruitment agency or similar!
| 
