Getting into Paleontology - Education Question.

[Finnlfc19]

Hi all, hope you are doing well

 

I'm a sixth form student currently studying three A Levels of English Literature, Geography and Biology. I've always wanted to be a paleontologist and whilst I appreciate it is a difficult area to get a job, my aim in life is still to break into the profession. Here in the UK it is difficult to find an undergraduate degree from a university solely for paleontology, and I feel like this would be limiting anyway should I be unsuccessful in getting a paleontological job. I thought maybe I would study something at undergraduate that leaves my employment options more open, before going to do a postgraduate in paleontology (preferably at Edinburgh university), but I wasn't sure if the undergraduates I am considering would allow me to then go into that postgrad course. I was particularly looking at studying either Zoology or Ecology, so I wasn't sure if these would allow me to then specialise in paleontology in the future?

[jpc]

Your analysis is very wise.  There are very few undergrad programs in paleo even here in the states.  Your plan is great, but if you can go to a school that has a paleontologist on staff, you can volunteer in their lab and/or take paleo classes.  U of Edinburgh would be a good one to go with.  Steve Brusatte there started by volunteering at the Field Museum in Chicago as a youngster.