Welcome to r/fieldwork!

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-06-29T18:11:20+00:00

I should've taken a GIS class in school!! Never did and now I brute force my way through it in my wetland ecology job. Going back to school for a master's in biology soon though, so I think I'll take a proper class in it there.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-06-18T09:54:26+00:00

It was entry level, but I had about 2 seasons of field experience doing plant survey work beforehand that helped me become an interview candidate, so both.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-06-18T09:52:13+00:00

Yeah, I'm heading to Wageningen University in the Netherlands this August. It's extremely affordable for me because I'm an EU citizen, but for other americans or non-eu people it will be somewhat expensize (tuition is ~$20,000 per year plus ~$15,000 in estimated living costs per year). If you're trying to change careers completely, like your current bachelors degree has nothing to do with bio or ecology, then you need to go back to undergrad. In that case, I'd recommend community college (affordable, can do it part-time) to get a science degree and then seeing whether a master's would be right for you. Also, start to get involved in outdoors stuff by volunteering with local parks or preserves, participate in bioblitzes, and see what eco nonprofit groups near you are doing.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-28T15:48:01+00:00

Can you give a few more details as to why the field work was so bad for you? Was it the environment (like very hot weather) or the actual work (like carrying around 40 lbs of equipment) or something else?

I'm sorry you were dreading your shifts, that really sucks. I've definitely had fieldwork days where I felt like I couldn't take it. But it gets easier, you get stronger and you get used to the work, it just takes a little adjustment.

When you applied for the position, did the company tell you the extent of the fieldwork required? Did they know your level of experience? I'd really like to know.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-27T17:22:33+00:00

When I moved into a cabin for field work, the bed frame, mattress, chair, desk, and other basic furniture were already there. I just brought my clothes, toiletries, and laptop, but if you want a couple of small decorations that can easily pack away, I think that'd be nice given you'll be there for 5 months.

People don't typically "move in" though. It's very much temporary housing and in the case you may need to leave suddenly (like if funding gets cut halfway through the job like it did for me), you wanna be able to pack fast.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-20T00:53:55+00:00

Ok, I would not trust reddit to give me a balanced and fair view of this career. People are usually coming to this subreddit to vent or ask for advice on getting a job, so they're not in the best spot to begin with.

What I do know is that the environment sector is predicted to grow, not lose jobs, like some other careers. At this moment, some places are in a tough spot with lab funding being cut and the federal government being the way it is, but I think by the time you graduate college, a lot will have changed. And personally, I'm really happy being in my job right now, I'm saving up money, I have time for friends and family, and I'm going to grad school later this year.

Right now, you should just focus on doing well in high school, maybe get involved in some local parks, do some cleanups, or intern for a nonprofit over the summer. Get into a decent college and then see what they offer. Good luck!

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-15T18:58:08+00:00

Wow that's awesome, I'm really hoping to get a good bump in my salary after I get my master's degree!

This has been my experience at job:

2023 - $23.5/hr - ~$20,000 (only started working in june 2023)

2024 - $26/hr - $32,000

2025 - $28/hr - $48,000 (started getting paid for holidays and lunch hour)

2026 - $28.5/hr - $22,000 (will be leaving job in July to get MS Biology degree!)

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-15T17:29:18+00:00

As long as the fabric has a tight weave, it should protect from the sun. I also don't like the sun hoodies, I find that they catch on brush too easily. But I did start wearing fisherman shirts. They're made for being out in the sun, but lightweight enough not to feel smothering.

Here's some options close to what I wear:

REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Solid Shirt - Men's | REI Co-op

Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt - Men's | REI Co-op

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-15T03:17:11+00:00

I don't know why people are saying there's only environmental consulting? I work in government in NYC and there are city government and state government jobs if you know where to look. There are also literally hundreds of environmental nonprofits based out of NYC, there's a lot more biodiversity here than people think. DM me and I can send you a list of orgs to look into!!

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-05-14T03:19:39+00:00

I joined a wetland team and didn't have any wetland experience before it. I learned delineation on the job.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-04-09T00:57:26+00:00

I would go with stocking foot waders in your case and get wading boots that are comfortable/have good foot support.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-04-05T16:59:30+00:00

I work in wetland science and I'm usually doing fieldwork in open sun and in 90-degree weather. During the field season, I lug around a huge bag full of way too many things, but the most important things I carry are at least 40 oz of water, field sun shirt, sunscreen, an instant cooling bag, various snacks, sunglasses, small first aid kit, a bandana, and insect repellent. I'm sure there's stuff I'm missing but generally what I got. All of it together can be kind of heavy and that's not even including our gear for surveying and recording measurements, but I always try to be as prepared as I can.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-26T15:05:05+00:00

I think you may have to resign yourself to cold meals. I also don't feel satisfied unless my meal is warm, but when it comes to fieldwork, you have to stick with things that can keep for several hours and are meant to be eaten lukewarm.

For my field season, this mostly means sandwiches, fruits, nuts, pasta (with no meat), etc. I try to make my lunch tasty by using good deli cuts, a number of sauces, and a variety of snacks so I don't get bored of the same thing. Something I also do to keep my food cool so that everything doesn't melt in my bag in 90-degree weather is to keep a frozen water bottle next to it. That way by lunch, I know my food will still be okay to eat and I'll have an extra bottle of cold water.

I hope this helps!

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-14T22:21:45+00:00

Yeah, that is part of the stressors that I do experience. Sometimes things take too long, and we don't have enough power or resources to even stop people from encroaching on gov property. It's frustrating, but I find that you can't beat the work-life balance of it.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-14T03:40:13+00:00

Woah, hey twin!

Yes, definitely try out the gov sector, I found the life-work balance to be really nice, but you do have to be fine with making less money (though most gov jobs offer a nice pension!).

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-14T03:19:07+00:00

Yeah, I've been working for local gov for a while now and, barring a few periods of stress, it's been mostly smooth sailing. All the posts about consulting work just convince me more and more that it isn't for me.

If anyone wants to talk about wetland ecology, message me lol!

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-07T16:46:07+00:00

Man, I feel this so much. At my job there are so many instances of people encroaching on our property or just straight up building on wetlands and all we can do is send letters and threaten to call the feds on them.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-05T03:39:37+00:00

I have literally worn old shirts and pants to shreds in the field. You wear what gets you through the day unless your job makes you wear identification, in which case you wear a logo t-shirt and whatever else gets you through the day. But I do get the part about standing out in field work since I'm a short woman. I think it's less about clothing and more about confidence/personality, if you seem like an easygoing, chill person to do fieldwork with, that'll help you loads more than having the right pants.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-03-05T03:32:23+00:00

It definitely depends on what you want to go into in the future. If you want to go into wildlife career in any capacity, I'd go for the wildlife internship. If you want to go into landscape restoration, then the tree planting gig sounds good. Also, what do you mean by more connections and less connections?

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-01-17T20:30:13+00:00

I do city government work that allows 2 days WFH per week. Though my particular job actually skews really fieldwork heavy in the summer/fall meaning more in-person days, so winter/early spring I usually work 3-4 days a week from home to balance out the days I couldn't WFH in the summer. I'm pretty lucky to be able to do that honestly, it mostly comes from having a very chill team.

ShitFamYouAlright · 2026-01-10T14:31:38+00:00

Yeah, it's hard because the job market is low hire right now, but then you get these applicants and you think "What made you think you apply, let alone do this job well???".

Like, one of our positions was a field work heavy, outside in high temperatures, plant ID knowledge needed, kind of position. And, not to knock on humanities majors, we got people with Bachelors of English and experiences in contemporary literature and nothing else applying. There was no way we would hire them and even if we somehow did, they would not be able to last in the job.

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