Some great advice here. I got a B in GCSE biology and gave up on my dream of being a marine biologist because I thought my grade wasn't good enough. No one reassured me or motivated me to keep trying and I ended up struggling through university following a career that really isn't for me. We didn't have the internet back then sadly as my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of options I never considered since getting online. You only get one life though so don't waste it. Treat university like a job and never be afraid to ask for help would be my main advice.
Cheers Dave. Thanks for sharing, some great advice. I think schools put so much pressure on young people to get the best grades and often fail to show them alternative routes. We put a lot of pressure on children to make decisions in school that could alter the rest of their lives before they’ve even had chance to properly understand what those decisions could mean.
Thank you for so openly sharing your route and toughts on this. I have been following your channel for a year or so and find it really comforting to wach someone find ways to put passion in practice and in a career setting. I have just started my career in Ecology (across the channel in the Netherlands), graduated the same year as you in Aquatic Eco-technology and finally things have started to roll. My thesis was about the effect of disruption on the foraging activity of beach nesting birds. Then, travelled for 2 years in a minivan just not applying for any jobs at all, but getting to know many new species groups. Then, I started with bat research for species protection at an ecological advisory too, while also doing different sorts of avian ecology volunteering work. And now I am starting a job at another advisory working as an offshore fieldwork seabird ecologist next week. I have reflected on what has gotten me here in the end, despite of what I thought was impportant while studying (like you said grades mainly, and also think the learning environment of an university, volunteering group or something similar is so damn benefitial if you take the seemingly random opportunities. There is skills and development nd networking in anything you do, especially if it is new for you. As long as you do something, and don't forget to have fun wth it either. Curious about where you go from here. Keep up the good work. I will remember some of your advice!
Thanks so much for the tips! I'm just starting my final year of high-school, and It's been my dream for a long time to pursue ecology and conservation. I'm starting to consider university applications now, and I'm so grateful whenever people are willing to share their unique experiences. It makes the whole thing a lot less stressful knowing that there isn't one clear path to success, everyone's journey is different and you can never be sure of where your career will take you.
Some great advice here. I got a B in GCSE biology and gave up on my dream of being a marine biologist because I thought my grade wasn't good enough. No one reassured me or motivated me to keep trying and I ended up struggling through university following a career that really isn't for me. We didn't have the internet back then sadly as my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of options I never considered since getting online. You only get one life though so don't waste it. Treat university like a job and never be afraid to ask for help would be my main advice.
Cheers Dave. Thanks for sharing, some great advice. I think schools put so much pressure on young people to get the best grades and often fail to show them alternative routes. We put a lot of pressure on children to make decisions in school that could alter the rest of their lives before they’ve even had chance to properly understand what those decisions could mean.
Thank you for so openly sharing your route and toughts on this. I have been following your channel for a year or so and find it really comforting to wach someone find ways to put passion in practice and in a career setting.
I have just started my career in Ecology (across the channel in the Netherlands), graduated the same year as you in Aquatic Eco-technology and finally things have started to roll. My thesis was about the effect of disruption on the foraging activity of beach nesting birds. Then, travelled for 2 years in a minivan just not applying for any jobs at all, but getting to know many new species groups. Then, I started with bat research for species protection at an ecological advisory too, while also doing different sorts of avian ecology volunteering work. And now I am starting a job at another advisory working as an offshore fieldwork seabird ecologist next week. I have reflected on what has gotten me here in the end, despite of what I thought was impportant while studying (like you said grades mainly, and also think the learning environment of an university, volunteering group or something similar is so damn benefitial if you take the seemingly random opportunities. There is skills and development nd networking in anything you do, especially if it is new for you. As long as you do something, and don't forget to have fun wth it either. Curious about where you go from here. Keep up the good work. I will remember some of your advice!
Thanks so much for sharing I’m glad the ball is finally rolling! 100% agree, try to have fun with everything you do. Good luck with your new role 😄
Thanks so much for the tips! I'm just starting my final year of high-school, and It's been my dream for a long time to pursue ecology and conservation. I'm starting to consider university applications now, and I'm so grateful whenever people are willing to share their unique experiences. It makes the whole thing a lot less stressful knowing that there isn't one clear path to success, everyone's journey is different and you can never be sure of where your career will take you.
Thanks for your comment, I totally agree. Just do whats right for you and enjoy it! Good luck 😄
This is brilliant Adam, so inspiring :)
Thanks Lea! I hope you’re well 😄 We had an all staff day today where a Nextdoor Nature video and your face popped up!