Entomologist

Study what bugs us!

An entomologist is a broadly trained and educated professional in a discipline that touches almost every aspect of our daily lives. Career opportunities are numerous and varied, so if you are interested in science and ready for a challenge, entomology is the career for you. As an entomologist, you can use your natural curiosity and enthusiasm to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems. Entomologists are needed worldwide to help farmers and ranchers produce crops and livestock more efficiently by using sound pest management strategies; to produce information about endangered species, fragile ecosystems and our environment; and to help prevent the spread of serious diseases in plants and animals.

You can find entomologists in professions such as medicine, law, pharmacology, veterinary medicine, teaching, and research; in many aspects of agribusiness; in private pursuits such as consulting; and working for local, state, federal, or international agencies.

In college, a major in entomology is the best preparation for you; however, a well-rounded biological sciences program would be excellent preparation for graduate work. As an undergraduate you will take courses in biology, agriculture, chemistry/biochemistry, mathematics, and statistics, as well as computer science, English, history, and the humanities. As a graduate student you will get experience in taxonomy, physiology, morphology, behavior, and pest management.

In high school take a college preparatory curriculum and include as many science-based courses as possible.

 

Download an 8.5-inch x 11-inch, printable poster for Entomologist. (downloadable pdf format)
The second page of the download includes the career description above.