Being the head of our ecology team, I am tasked with organising everyone's workloads as well as being the main point of contact for clients. I am usually very busy most days with client meetings, report writing and field work, but the field work is my favourite part of the job and it definitely keeps me sane some days. 

 

Did you always plan to work in this field?

During the second year of my undergraduate degree in zoology, I applied for seasonal work doing bat surveys for a large consultancy in Belfast. This gave me an idea of what this field was like, as well as opening the door for further opportunities. Having this experience definitely fuelled my desire to get into this line of work as I was always passionate about protecting our wildlife and habitats. 

I also completed a work placement as part of my MSc in Ecological Management & Conservation Biology with a large ecological consultancy in Belfast. This placement gave me the opportunity to see what day to day life was like in this field, as it allowed me to start writing reports and carry out a wide variety of protected species surveys, further fuelling my desire to get into this field as soon as I could. 

 

 

What key steps at Queen’s do you think helped develop you most?

Putting yourself out there and asking questions are some of the key steps in your development at Queen's. This will allow you to find opportunities and gain experience in potential placements or volunteering. This experience is like gold dust when it comes to looking for work in future. 

 

 

Looking back – how would you advise your first year self to make the most of your time at Queen’s?

I would tell myself and anyone going into first year to enjoy themselves and work hard, and that if you give 100% effort into your time at Queen's you will achieve great things. This is such an amazing time of your life where you can really start shaping your future and get to where you want to be. 

 

 

Zachary Rose

Senior Ecologist and Head of Ecology, MCL Consulting 

BSc Zoology and MSc Ecological Management and Conservation Biology Graduate