Cuan discusses life as a Graduate Ecologist. Cuan studied Environmental Science at the University of Galway and joined MKO in 2024 as part of the 2024 grad campaign.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Ecology?
I’ve had a passion for plants, animals and the environment from a very young age. This interest persisted into my teenage years and as a result, I chose to study environmental science in college. Throughout my years at college, ecology was my favourite subject because it dealt with the relationship of plants and animals with the environment. This led me to the realisation that ecology was where my interests truly lay and that following college, I would endeavour to pursue a career as a full-time ecologist.
Can you describe your typical day?
My daily routine can vary greatly. My days can generally be categorised as office days and field days. Office days consist of desk-based assessments and report writing for projects. The types of reports carried out include Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports (AASR), Natura Impact Assessments (NIS), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) or a variety of other report types. Additionally, office days can include the organisation of upcoming site visits or compiling data from completed surveys. During field days, a wide variety of surveys can be carried out depending on the requirements of the projects. Examples of these surveys include mammal surveys, invasive species surveys, wintering bird surveys, marsh fritillary surveys, vegetation surveys and multidisciplinary walkover surveys. Summer is the busiest and, in my opinion, the best time for ecologists, because you are out on site more with plants species easier to identify when in bloom.
What types of projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a wide variety of projects from different sectors. Some of my projects include the upgrading of a wastewater treatment plant, the remediation of an old bridge built in 1648 and the extension of a factory. I regularly assist with other projects such as wind farm developments, quarry extensions and housing estate developments.
How would you describe the culture at MKO?
The culture at MKO is very inviting and friendly. There is a warm atmosphere in the office, and everyone is extremely accommodating and supportive. As a graduate, I have found everyone to be open and willing to share their extensive knowledge with me.
What do you enjoy most about your role at MKO?
The field work is my favourite aspect of my job as an Ecologist with MKO. I greatly enjoy travelling to various sites across the country to carry out surveys and encounter different habitats. No field day is the same and thanks to this job I have had the opportunity to visit numerous unique and spectacular locations with equally amazing wildlife.
What advice do you have for someone aspiring to pursue a career in Ecology with MKO?
I think the most important characteristic you could have when pursuing a career in ecology at MKO is to be genuinely passionate about ecology and to have a decent understanding of ecology in Ireland. Possessing knowledge of legislation such as the Habitats Directive and the Wildlife Act, in addition to being able to identify some of Ireland’s more common species would be of great benefit to any applicant.
What are the most important skills required for your role?
There are numerous skills that I believe are essential for working within the ecology team. Report writing is a large component of the job and therefore, having the relevant report writing skills is of vital importance. The skills to create and understand GIS maps are essential as nearly every project requires the creation of maps both for use on-site and in reports. Survey skills are crucial since carrying out surveys in the field is one of the most fundamental aspects of an ecologist’s work.
How does MKO support your professional development in Ecology?
MKO offers abundant opportunities for ecologists to upskill themselves. An example of this is MKO’s endorsement of CIEEM membership which is instrumental in the further development of ecologists. In addition, I have found that my skills have improved considerably by carrying out surveys with more experienced ecologists within the company. The various training days organised throughout the year have been especially helpful in increasing my knowledge on a wide variety of topics relating to Ecology (E.g. grass and sedges, tree identification and wintering birds).
