Elin works for biodiversity

During the winter, Elin Lindén works mostly at the office, where she's planning the field studies in the summer. 

ImageFrida Endertorp

Elin Lindén was advised by her uncle to study in Umeå, since he heard it’s a good city to study in. She heard about the university’s Bachelor’s Programme in Biology and  Earth Science and decided to apply since the courses suited her perfectly.

“When I read the description of the programme, it was like all boxes ticked. As soon as I read the description, there were no other alternatives. It was so dead-on target that it would fit me and that I would find it fun.”

After her bachelor’s degree, the Master’s Programme in Ecology followed as well as five years as PhD student at the university. Today, she works at Ecogain, a company that helps other companies to carry out their work as eco-friendly as possible.

Elin Lindén.

ImageFrida Endertorp

“We work quite a lot with the wind power industry that tries to work for a sustainable electricity market. Our society has a growing need for energy, but if we’re going to take new ground to produce energy, we also need to do it in the smartest way possible for nature. Then, the most important parts of nature can also remain.”

An occupation that makes a difference

Elin works as a nature conservation consultant, an occupation that’s bound to the seasons of the year. In the summer, she does nature conservation inventories, which is about estimating the natural values of an area, based on the species in the area and conditions for biodiversity. Through this, areas that are more important for biodiversity can be identified and avoided.

“Summertime, we’re outside about every other week. We walk in forests and fields, or maybe in industrial areas, depending on what task we have.”

During winter, Elin mostly works in the office. Reports have to be written and preparations have to be done before the summer field studies. Elin also works a lot with species protection, which is about assessing what effect an activity can have on species that are protected by environmental law.

Her occupation means a lot for Elin, since she works for nature and biodiversity.

“For example, it makes a difference in how wind parks are built. I have the possibility to affect it so it’s done with better respect for nature, and that feels very cool, to be able to help so that the conversion in society will be done as well as possible.”

What does the job market look like?

“I think the market is a lot better now than a few years ago. There are higher demands on business life to understand what we know. They must care about nature and respect biodiversity. Then they need us.”

”The perfect Bachelor’s Programme”

Elin began the Bachelor’s Programme in Biology and Earth Science in 2012. She felt very welcomed, and on day one, she took part of fun courses. A lot thanks to committed and pedagogic teachers, who also made the harder courses easier.

“Even the mathematical formulas about population dynamics almost became fun. And math has never been my strong side before.”

Being close to nature, Elin thinks that Umeå is a very good city for students at the programme. She also liked a lot to read both biology and earth science, and that she didn’t have to choose between the subjects at the start.

“For me, biology and geoscience became the perfect Bachelor’s Programme, since I could read a little biology and a little Earth science, and then you decide which subject you want to advance in.”

Benefit from studying both subjects

Elin chose to gear towards biology and later read the Master’s Programme in Ecology. Afterwards, she looks positively at having read both subjects.

“As a biologist, you benefit a lot from understanding basic earth science. And as an earth scientist, you have great usage of knowing basic biology. Because it’s connected, what you have in the ground, or what bedrock you have, or when it comes to wetlands and water systems, it’s connected with what grows there. And what’s growing somewhere is connected with the ground. We get the whole cycle. It’s really valuable to have both competencies.”

Do you have any advice for someone who is considering applying?

“Try it, give it a year, and see how it feels. You get to try out two different subjects and see if one of them fits you. It’s a big advantage.”

Read more about the Master's programme in Ecology

Interview & photo: Frida Endertorp