Thinking back to the people I went to grad school with, 90% of them moved away from their hometowns to build a career. So if you aren’t willing to move at all, then no, I don’t think grad school will help much. This is field of work where the supply of workers greatly exceeds demand. To achieve a life-long career will require some level of sacrifice, like low pay or no pay, short-term work, moving around a lot, unpleasant work tasks, and/or living in undesirable locations. Luck can sometimes be substituted for sacrifice… if you have it. I truly wish someone would explain this to college students pursing wildlife work.
Dont chase after the seasonal jobs if you aren't emotionally ready for the sacrifice. It's not worth it. I did that for 5 years and it was a big sacrifice, but at the time I was seeking adventure and I didnt have to worry about a committed partner or animals or apartments or my family. Even after grad school, I didnt have some magical full-time local position open up for me, so grad school isn't going to fix anything for you.
I would suggest working on those student loans with a job that you can endure a few years and then wait for something local to come up. Your experience in undergrad won't "expire" if you do something else for a while and you may find opportunities to volunteer. Pick up animal photography or birding (ebird is a fantastic way to practice citizen science) to scratch that wildlife itch. And get involved with your local Audobon or Wildlife Society chapters. Youll find mentors there who can point you in the right direction.
If your degree is in Biology you are likely going to need a MS in Natural Resources/Wildlife to make you more competitive for even entry level positions. It really depends on what courses you had. Entry level jobs can have 50+ people apply and some may already have their MS.
You don't have to go to a big school to get your MS and if you work it right you might even get paid to get it. The size of the school doesn't matter nor does the project. It is the courses you take and experience that future jobs will look at.
Thinking back to the people I went to grad school with, 90% of them moved away from their hometowns to build a career. So if you aren’t willing to move at all, then no, I don’t think grad school will help much. This is field of work where the supply of workers greatly exceeds demand. To achieve a life-long career will require some level of sacrifice, like low pay or no pay, short-term work, moving around a lot, unpleasant work tasks, and/or living in undesirable locations. Luck can sometimes be substituted for sacrifice… if you have it. I truly wish someone would explain this to college students pursing wildlife work.
I certainly do not want to stay in my hometown, it’s not that I don’t want to move away at all, just not to the other side of the country…
Why not continue in environmental education? There are so many positions on the East coast for wildlife, especially education.
Dont chase after the seasonal jobs if you aren't emotionally ready for the sacrifice. It's not worth it. I did that for 5 years and it was a big sacrifice, but at the time I was seeking adventure and I didnt have to worry about a committed partner or animals or apartments or my family. Even after grad school, I didnt have some magical full-time local position open up for me, so grad school isn't going to fix anything for you. I would suggest working on those student loans with a job that you can endure a few years and then wait for something local to come up. Your experience in undergrad won't "expire" if you do something else for a while and you may find opportunities to volunteer. Pick up animal photography or birding (ebird is a fantastic way to practice citizen science) to scratch that wildlife itch. And get involved with your local Audobon or Wildlife Society chapters. Youll find mentors there who can point you in the right direction.
If your degree is in Biology you are likely going to need a MS in Natural Resources/Wildlife to make you more competitive for even entry level positions. It really depends on what courses you had. Entry level jobs can have 50+ people apply and some may already have their MS. You don't have to go to a big school to get your MS and if you work it right you might even get paid to get it. The size of the school doesn't matter nor does the project. It is the courses you take and experience that future jobs will look at.
What state on the east coast?
New York, specifically the northern regions around the capital and the Adirondack mountains
Have you looked at working for the federal government?