The most common path to becoming an ornithologist is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biology, followed by a master’s or doctoral degree in biology with a strong focus on bird biology. Graduates typically join a professional ornithology society after graduation and begin working in the field. Students may be able to earn a degree in one of the few programs dedicated solely to ornithology on rare occasions; otherwise, they will receive a different undergraduate degree. Furthermore, some people are experts in bird biology without ever having attended school. These are less traditional paths, and the majority of people will enter this field with a biology degree.
Because ornithology is a subspecialty of biology, becoming an ornithologist requires first becoming an expert in biology. Students should look for a college that offers this undergraduate major as a bachelor’s degree. Individuals interested in studying ornithology in depth should look for schools with a strong program in bird biology. This can help them prepare for Ph.D. or master’s programs in the future.
Students must decide whether or not to continue their education near the end of an undergraduate program. Some people with a bachelor’s degree go on to work as ornithologists for researchers or in natural history museums. They usually do so for a lower pay, with fewer job opportunities, and are unlikely to be able to obtain grants to begin research. As a result, there are drawbacks to not going to graduate school.
To avoid limiting their professional options, most students pursue a Ph.D. or master’s degree in biology in order to become ornithologists. The Ph.D. is usually a better degree to get because it allows you to teach and conduct research, whereas the master’s degree (MS) may limit your job opportunities and pay. However, the MS is shorter, which may appeal to students who want to begin working as an ornithologist sooner.
Because there are so few programs dedicated solely to ornithology, students should look for biology departments with a large number of ornithologists on staff or schools with a strong ornithology subspecialty. Speaking with college biology departments, reading faculty bios, and finding out if a university participates in any ongoing bird research projects are all good places to start. Universities located near large or protected bird colonies may be more likely to provide opportunities for student research and study.
If a Ph.D. is desired, students should consider writing an ornithology-focused dissertation. Some experts in this field recommend breaking it up into chapters that can be published in scholarly journals. Being able to publish research prior to graduation can help people become more well-known in their field, make it easier to find work, and usually fulfill requirements for ornithologist membership in professional organizations.
Individuals will become ornithologists by finding work in the field after completing educational programs. Professionals can begin their careers in a variety of fields, including research, direct animal care, teaching, and lecturing. Being a member of an ornithology professional organization can help graduates find jobs and may even provide job search resources for members.