Anita Diaz – deer ecologist

My earliest memory is of seeing a bumblebee bumping through a lawn full of dandelions and thinking 'why?' That moment kindled a fascination with the natural world and an enthusiasm for science.

I chose sciences at school and went on to study for a degree in environmental biology at Oxford Brookes University. Here I developed a particular interest in ecology, loved the field trips, decided that I wanted to work in ecology forever and searched the job pages to find out how.

Whilst studying for my degree, I worked as a volunteer doing plant survey work for the local Wildlife Trust. It was great fun, I gained experience and contributed to conservation. Further more, potential employers got to know me and this helped me get my first job at the end of my degree.

Then (and even more so now) the biggest skill shortage was in people able to identify species. I went on to survey plants and animals in habitats ranging from ponds and shingle beaches to tropical rainforests.

I became intrigued by the interactions of plants with their herbivores and pollinators. I gained a PhD at Exeter University and researched the pros and cons of wild rabbits and deer as tools for ecosystem conservation and restoration.

Today, I am as inspired as ever by the natural world and am a research scientist and senior lecturer in conservation ecology at Bournemouth University. Current research interests include the ecology of sika deer, heathland creation, habitat management and the role of pollinators in restoration ecology.

If you want to work in wildlife then you must become a good natural historian. Learn about the natural world around you and learn how to identify species. A great way to get started is to join local natural history groups. There is a wealth of knowledge in these groups and new members are always welcome. Often you can take samples or photos along for identification so you can quickly gain confidence in your skills.

Choose your course of study carefully. Most importantly, choose a course that you will enjoy. Consider some possible career options, check out the skills requirements needed by looking at some job adverts and compare these against your chosen course. Do they match well?

Try to gain voluntary experience and placement experience whenever possible. This builds your skill base and helps you decide what jobs suit you best. Remember that one of the most important aspects of being a volunteer is to demonstrate genuine interest and commitment.

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