Ecology is a broad field with many opportunities and, therefore, the means to achieving a successful career are often unclear to students and young professionals. Established ecologists representing various career paths and types will discuss specific strategies and different options for careers in ecology. Invited guests will offer practical advice on employment at research universities, liberal arts colleges, government agencies, and non-profit organizations in small, informal groups. After a brief introduction to the session and the invited guests, rotating small groups will discuss several general topics, including: key skills required for their positions, effective networking, acquiring funding, publishing productively, and balancing different professional responsibilities. Small groups will provide an intimate and informal setting for attendees to interact with experienced professional ecologists. There will also be an opportunity for attendees and experts to discuss topics of special interest, such as conservation and restoration, ecology education and outreach, finding positions for married/partnered pairs, and science policy. A major frustration for many aspiring ecologists is not only navigating the morass of career options, but accomplishing their goals for personal contributions to ecology via conservation, discovery, theory, and outreach, which will also be addressed by invited guests and attendees. This session should appeal to students and postdocs, whom we expect to motivate the discussions.