Any entomologists on here?
Discussion
My daughter(15) has had her heart set on being a entomologist for several years now.
More the research/cataloging rather than hiking through jungles side of things. She's extremely bright.
Are there any entomologists on here at all? Any tips, opportunities to gain experience, career routes etc? I know precisely zero about it all
Thanks in advance.
More the research/cataloging rather than hiking through jungles side of things. She's extremely bright.
Are there any entomologists on here at all? Any tips, opportunities to gain experience, career routes etc? I know precisely zero about it all
Thanks in advance.
Eric Mc said:
Is that the study of the origin of words? 
I would find seeking out strange and unusal words in the depths of the Amazon jungle fascinating.
That is very much a thing. My wife nearly went down that route after graduating, motivated by wanting to help record some languages before they go extinct.I would find seeking out strange and unusal words in the depths of the Amazon jungle fascinating.
At age 15, I'd expect the route would be A-levels then something like an undergraduate degree in Biology or Ecology followed by a taught MSc in bug studies. Maybe look at the A level requirements for undergrad courses and work back from that?
Maybe see if she can get some work experience in the school holidays at somewhere with an interest in bugology? I'd try the Natural History museum, John Innes centre, School for Hygiene and tropical medicine, and then there are loads of universities ... Bangor, Reading, Durham, UCL, etc. Kew Garden's herbarium is a plant archive, funnily enough, but they might also do bugs. RHS also does research, so they might do some bug studies too at Wisley?
Maybe see if she can get some work experience in the school holidays at somewhere with an interest in bugology? I'd try the Natural History museum, John Innes centre, School for Hygiene and tropical medicine, and then there are loads of universities ... Bangor, Reading, Durham, UCL, etc. Kew Garden's herbarium is a plant archive, funnily enough, but they might also do bugs. RHS also does research, so they might do some bug studies too at Wisley?
Thanks guys. I suspected I would receive some more cerebral responses on here...!
Sadly the NHM isn't local (although that's the dream job for her), but Durham is. I'll contact them (Edinburgh is the other centre) but I was just wondering whether there was anybody on here who had any contacts.
Cheers
Sadly the NHM isn't local (although that's the dream job for her), but Durham is. I'll contact them (Edinburgh is the other centre) but I was just wondering whether there was anybody on here who had any contacts.
Cheers
My father was a research entomologist (got an OBE for services to tropical agriculture) helped edit an academic journal on entomology marked theses etc after he retired - unfortunately he died about ten years ago.
But basically degree in Zoology, followed by work in plant breeding that he then wrote up for a doctorate, followed by a long career in plant breeding (so working in cross functional teams of scientists to produce insect resistant crops) in Africa and India.
Rothamsted research station was where he started out after university. Might be worth contacting them - it’s a charity so I am sure they have a good outreach program for budding scientists.
Just to add the big agribusiness companies hire entomologists, as pest control is a key to increasing crop yields.
But basically degree in Zoology, followed by work in plant breeding that he then wrote up for a doctorate, followed by a long career in plant breeding (so working in cross functional teams of scientists to produce insect resistant crops) in Africa and India.
Rothamsted research station was where he started out after university. Might be worth contacting them - it’s a charity so I am sure they have a good outreach program for budding scientists.
Just to add the big agribusiness companies hire entomologists, as pest control is a key to increasing crop yields.
Edited by wisbech on Thursday 12th September 17:55
Sort of, I work with an entomology team, along with other bio specialists. I am very much a jack of all trades, but spend over half my time on entomology projects gathering samples and data in the field, mostly woodlands/trees.
Worth having a look at The Royal Entomological Society, and the Royal Society of Biology websites.
Some of the bigger museums of natural history have volunteer opportunities in sorting and curation. Nature and wildlife charities will also offer more field-based volunteer opportunities that would certainly prove useful.
It's a really interesting and varied field with loads of opportunities.
Worth having a look at The Royal Entomological Society, and the Royal Society of Biology websites.
Some of the bigger museums of natural history have volunteer opportunities in sorting and curation. Nature and wildlife charities will also offer more field-based volunteer opportunities that would certainly prove useful.
It's a really interesting and varied field with loads of opportunities.
ATG said:
At age 15, I'd expect the route would be A-levels then something like an undergraduate degree in Biology or Ecology followed by a taught MSc in bug studies. Maybe look at the A level requirements for undergrad courses and work back from that?
That seems sound to me - it would have to be Biology A-level then as above. I would however expect a postgrad to manage a better description than 'bug studies'... I'm a member of the Joseph Banks Society; dropping them a line might yield some further ideas: https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/
ben5575 said:
That's really helpful guys, much appreciated.
I'll definitely try the charities and it hadn't even crossed my mind (although obvious thinking about it) that the big companies will be looking for specialists as well.
I'm not down there for a couple of weeks, but I'm going to ask the team at Forest Research.I'll definitely try the charities and it hadn't even crossed my mind (although obvious thinking about it) that the big companies will be looking for specialists as well.
Where in the world are you out of interest?
ben5575 said:
That would be amazing We're based in the north east of england (so near Durham), but happy to travel for some experience for her.
The charities are definitely a good place to start. We're based in the north east of england (so near Durham), but happy to travel for some experience for her.Forest research have a place up at Edinburgh which is probably closer than the Farham one.
Organisations like RHS and Kew have ento's, so if you have anything like that up your way, that would be an idea.
I only work with plant pathology up North, so not sure who's who in ento up that way.
Does she have any particular interest within entomology? Bees, beetles, dragonflies? Or does she like the wider world of invertebrates like arachnids, crustaceans, molluscs?
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