What do you like/dislike about a sector you’ve worked in?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/5/25
Answers from Biologists:
Federal…need I say more in these current times?
Airport biologist-how much hands on wildlife work I get to do, but how much of it is lethal removal.
Consulting can be great and worth it at the right company w/decent primary clients.
Consulting is ethically fraught. My entry level bio position doesn’t pay well.
City-environmental decisions are based on what will politically benefit higher ups.
NGO-people underestimate the amount of compliance/fed coordination.
State of Florida does not pay their biologists well so continuously loses institutional knowledge.
State-love the comradery, hate how politicians get the final say
Governments care a lot about liability so have good safety practices
State-tons of flexibility with research but so many politics
Non-profit: able to be more flexible with work/life schedule
Non profit: toxic positivity culture
Consulting- great pay but work is aimed at enabling development industry
Academia-cutting edge research but full of nepotism
Bureau of Reclamation-large budget but limited mission/scope you can work within
Tribal-great sector but not often secure for moving up. Know that tribal citizen preference exists.
Academia is a hellscape for mental health.
Consulting- great experience but crazy hours/travel/schedule/ unpreditability
Academia is a pyramid scheme
Privately funded non-profits have politics/restrictions but funding can be more stable
Federal- being forced to budget for programs instead of needed land and animal conservation
Government- like helping the public, dislike politics in decisions
Consulting- pays well but can be soul sucking and techs are often working long hours
Nonprofit- if you can find the money, you can do the work. Less red tape.
Government- often understaffed, underfunded, and lack upward mobility.
Parks and Recreation- lots of outdoor work but little flexibility and rely heavily on natural resources management
Forest Service- tons of land, especially in the West. Biologists make a difference, but your hands are often tied.
State- heavily influenced by legislature
