Ecologists are often educated to follow in the pathway of their faculty advisor, which is most likely to be an academic career with a heavy emphasis on research. Conversely, graduate students, post-docs and other early career ecologists have few examples for identifying ecology-related careers outside academia, the nature of the broader ecological workforce, and developing needed career skills and network connections. These models and skills are essential for obtaining jobs in today’s environmental career field as well as for preparing ecologists to serve society’s future environmental needs. This IGNITE session presents speakers from many types of environmental careers. Most have pursued non-academic and academic career venues in non-linear pathways, to become successful members of today’s ecological workforce. They represent the Ecological Society of America members’ career paths in each of the following ESA sections: Agroecology, Applied Ecology, Environmental Justice, Human Ecology, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Public Policy and Science Communication. The speakers will highlight careers and skills in non-academic fields and pathways that allow for multiple career changes from academic to non-academic ecology fields. Recommendations for essential ecology job skills, networking collaborations, assessing the value of ESA Professional Certification, and the ability to communicate to diverse audiences will be emphasized throughout. The speakers will explore the transformation needed in our educational institutions and in ESA to better support diverse career paths.