This is the first of a new regular feature on careers, designed to provide those who teach biology with some inspiration when advising their students. In this issue, two consultant ecologists explain how their career paths developed. It is a misconception that there are few jobs in ecology. Over the past 20 or 30 years ecological consultancy has developed as a profession and professional bodies such as the Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management have grown in stature. Nor is consultancy the only area of career development in ecology. For further information see the websites at the end of the item or contact the British Ecological Society's Education Officer, Dr. Debbie Smith (debbie@britishecologicalsociety.org). (Contains 11 online resources.)