Charting Your Path: A Comprehensive Guide to an Entomology Career

Are you captivated by the intricate world of insects, always pointing out fascinating bugs you encounter? If so, a career as an entomologist might be a perfect fit. But what does an entomologist do, and how do you become one? This article provides a detailed roadmap to understanding the entomologist career path and the necessary education.

What is an Entomologist?

An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects, scorpions, spiders, and other arthropods (animals with exoskeletons). Entomology is often considered a branch of zoology or wildlife biology, making an entomologist essentially a "bug biologist." Given the immense diversity and impact of insects on our planet, this field offers a wealth of research opportunities. Humans depend on a healthy relationship with insects for almost all aspects of life, from food production to medicine.

The Role of Entomology in the Modern World

Entomologists contribute to numerous industries, driving advancements in agriculture, public health, and even engineering. With climate change altering our relationship with the insect world, their expertise is more critical than ever. Some keystone insect species face extinction, while others become invasive, causing ecological imbalances.

Daily Life of an Entomologist

What does a bug scientist do at work? The tasks can vary widely depending on the specific role and area of expertise.

Office Work

Most entomologists spend some time in the office, especially those in more advanced positions. This might involve:

Managerial tasks
Analyzing data collected from fieldwork
Advising other professionals on the impact of insects in their respective fields

Fieldwork

Being someone who studies insects offers exciting opportunities for fieldwork, particularly at the junior level. However, it's important to be prepared for physically demanding or uncomfortable conditions. Key aspects of fieldwork include:

Being comfortable getting dirty
Potential exposure to insect stings/bites and allergens
Possible harsh weather conditions and odd working hours

Entomology Career Paths

If you want to become a person who studies bugs, you will likely have to start in an entry-level position after college. After gaining experience, various career paths become available in governmental agencies, agricultural organizations, university departments, food processing, pest control, health services, and more. While the growth of the field is slower than average for most careers, the possibilities for innovation are vast due to an increasing understanding of the insect world. Entomology and nematology are expansive scientific fields that offer graduates a variety of rewarding careers.

Specializations in Entomology

Entomology offers a wide range of career options tailored to different interests. With four distinct specializations to choose from, you can earn an online graduate certificate or master’s degree in the specialization that aligns with your current path and interests. In agriculture, graduates can work on crop protection and pest management, or choose a hands-on career such as commercial beekeeping and insect rearing. Entomologists interested in public health may find roles in biosecurity, biotechnology, and bio-inspired engineering. Entomologists and nematologists can find great careers in the public sector, including in K-12 education, museum-based research and education, and positions within zoos and botanical gardens. Graduates can also provide scientific consulting to federal agencies, state departments, and ecotourism agencies. military as military entomologists.

Forensic Entomology

Insects play a crucial role in forensics, making forensic entomology a unique niche within forensic science. Forensic entomologists focus on the presence or absence of insects at a crime scene to draw conclusions about the cause or time of death. They have been instrumental in solving cold cases and exonerating innocent individuals.

Historical Context: The use of insect succession (the order in which insects participate in decomposition) was validated in the 1800s in a case involving a French couple. Dr. Bergeret d’Arbois used insect life cycle knowledge to prove the couple's innocence and identify the actual murderer.

Modern Applications: Dr. Eric Benbow, an entomology professor and forensic entomologist at Michigan State University, used his knowledge of aquatic insect succession in 2019 to rule out a body being submerged in a lake for 21 days, contradicting initial suspicions.

Responsibilities: Although your first thought of what a forensic entomologist does may be visiting crime scenes and collecting insects, that is only a small part of it. It’s worth noting that sometimes the insects are delivered to you rather than you collecting them, too. In addition, you can be a forensic entomologist in many other ways beyond being directly involved in crime scene investigation.

Educational Path to Becoming an Entomologist

To become an entomologist, a strong educational foundation is essential.

High School Preparation

A high school student interested in becoming a studier of insects should take science courses including biology and environmental science (if your school offers them). Students serious about bug studies can practice their IDing skills in their own backyard or neighborhood.

College Education

A college degree is essential for someone who studies bugs. While you can learn a lot through self-teaching and exploring your surroundings, you will need technical skills and research experience to start your entomology career. You should earn at least a bachelor’s degree, which takes about four years of full-time college.

Read also: Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

Bachelor's Degree: A person who studies bugs can start their higher education journey with a biology degree. While an entomology or entomology and nematology bachelor’s degree is the best starting point for aspiring entomologists, some students may choose a related bachelor’s degree like zoology, biology, or environmental science. If available, it is recommended to take courses on insect biology or get hands-on involvement through research or volunteering. A B.S. degree program can include fieldwork and access to career services to help guide you to the next step in your entomology career after graduation.
Post-Graduate Programs: Many successful entomology careers are honed through post-graduate programs focused specifically on the study of wildlife including insects. Consider earning a Master's or Ph.D.

Specialized Programs

The Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in entomology with options to specialize in medical entomology and toxicology. Students in this program learn fundamental biological concepts and are encouraged to pursue research internships in laboratories. The University of Nebraska offers an online master’s of science in entomology. For more than 100 years, the University of Nebraska has offered distance education courses and excels at making online learning interactive. Students are given multiple opportunities to interact with world-class faculty and researchers and their classmates who bring unique global perspectives to the online learning environment.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Entomologists and nematologists study genetics, molecular biology, ecology, physiology, and evolution. Research in these areas can lead to discoveries that benefit medicine, state departments of agriculture, and environmental conservation. They also may focus on the medical and veterinary significance of arthropods, addressing how these organisms affect human and animal health. Students use invertebrates as models in biomedical sciences, bioinspired engineering, and biotechnology. Common responsibilities of an entomologist include public health, agriculture, and environmental conservation duties. They help safeguard public health by identifying the role of insects in disease transmission, informing effective control and prevention strategies to protect human, animal, and plant health. Entomologists also provide agricultural aid by studying and managing harmful insects, protecting crops and livestock from damage, and ensuring food security.

Certifications and Professional Development

While a license is not required to be an entomologist, joining a professional organization or getting certified through one can make you stand out amongst the competition when applying for jobs. Furthermore, you can attend networking events to meet other insect lovers and potential employers. Once you have met the education and experience requirements, you can become a Board Certified Entomologist or an Associate Certified Entomologist. There are several certifications and professional memberships that can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise in the field.

Board Certified Entomologist (BCE): Offered by the Entomological Society of America (ESA), this certification recognizes entomologists who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field. To become an entomologist, some employers also require entomologists to earn their certification from the Entomological Society of America (ESA), which offers two certifications for entomologists. Entomologists can get certified by the ESA as a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE), which requires candidates to pass two exams and to have already completed graduate-level study.
Certified Associate Entomologist (CAE): Also offered by the ESA, this certification is designed for individuals who have completed a Bachelor's Degree in Entomology or a related field and have at least two years of professional experience in entomology or a related area. Entomologists can get certified by the ESA as an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE), which requires candidates to pass one comprehensive exam.
American Board of Forensic Entomology (ABFE): The American Board of Forensic Entomology (ABFE) offers two types of board certification for forensic entomologists: Member and Diplomate. Applicants who meet these requirements are eligible to pay a fee and take comprehensive, written, and practical examinations to test principles of medico-legal forensic entomology. Applicants must pass with an 80 percent or higher score on each exam. Applicants who score under 80 percent must wait one year to re-take the exams. Once earned, certification is good for five years and can be renewed by submitting five or more medico-legal case reports related to forensic entomology.
Continuing Education and Training: Participating in continuing education programs, workshops, and training courses can help entomologists stay current with the latest research, technologies, and best practices in the field.
State Licenses and Certifications: Depending on your area of specialization and the specific requirements of your employer or state regulations, you may need to obtain state licenses or certifications related to pesticide application, pest control, or public health entomology.

Networking and Job Searching

Networking is crucial for career advancement. Before graduating, bachelor’s and master’s degree holders are advised to begin networking and job searching. The Entomological Society of America has an online career center allowing job seekers to upload resumes and search for jobs. The organization also offers professional development through annual in-person and virtual meetings as well as career development webinars. The North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA) also supports professionals in entomology and criminal justice through research, memberships, and annual conferences. Becoming a member of a professional society such as the Entomological Society of America or Entomology Today could lead to valuable networking opportunities or first glances at forensic entomologist jobs as they arrive on the scene.

Salary Expectations

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have specific data on the average salary for entomologists, we can look at the data for wildlife biology and zoology because entomology is often considered a branch of zoology. The median annual salary for wildlife biologists was $64,650. The top 10% earned more than $103,900, while entry-level workers earned less than $42,420. You can expect an entomologist salary to be somewhere in that range. The average annual salary of forensic science technicians is $75,260.

The Future of Entomology

As we continue to see the impacts of climate change and the loss of biodiversity across the planet, the need for entomologists may increase. With STEM careers projected to grow by 10.8% from 2022 to 2032, achieving a fulfilling entomology career that also offers financial stability is entirely within your reach.

Is Entomology Right for You?

To become an entomologist, you must like bugs. This is key!

Skills and Traits

For those who aren’t bothered by bugs and crave a multidisciplinary career in criminal justice and science, becoming a forensic entomologist positions a professional for a rewarding career in this fascinating subfield of forensic science. Tampa-St. High school students who enjoy the arts and sciences and are not squeamish around insects are advised to keep their grades high to gain admission into a reputable bachelor’s degree program. Students should take math, science, communications, and public speaking courses. To stand out on college applications, high school students are encouraged to pursue internships in laboratory-based or criminal justice settings.

Personal Considerations

To be a forensic entomologist means being ready to work with dirt, insects, and dead bodies. While determining the cause of death is not without its emotional and physical challenges, at the end of the day, forensic entomologists do this work in service of the loved ones of the deceased and the safety and justice of their communities.

Additional Career Options

If you love all animals, you may enjoy a career as a zoologist. Zoologists don’t just work in zoos; they also work in national parks, aquariums, and wildlife refuges. Being an environmental scientist gives you the opportunity to apply for many different jobs including environmental technician, researcher, or consultant. Do you want to work outside? Wildlife conservationists often spend a lot of time in the field studying wildlife (sometimes that includes insects) and collecting samples.

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