ESA supports early career professionals (ECPs) as they build their careers in entomology. The first years after earning a final degree can be both exciting and uncertain. This period often includes transitions, temporary positions, and the search for full-time employment. ESA provides the connections, resources, and opportunities to help individuals succeed and thrive in the profession.
ESA Membership
To help graduates establish themselves financially, ESA offers the following discounted membership categories:
- Student Transition Member
Student Members who have recently graduated are eligible for a member discount of 50% for two years. - Early Career Professional Membership
Individuals who have recently graduated (and were not Student Members in the previous year) are eligible for a member discount of 25% for five years.
ESA Sections
ESA membership is organized by subject matter-oriented Sections which offer members opportunities to network and interact with others sharing their specific interests. These sections are:
- Formal & Informal Teaching (Pilot Section)
- Plant–Insect Ecosystems
- Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology
- Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity
- Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology
ESA Branches
ESA's Branches are designated on the basis of geographical contiguity for the purpose of holding meetings, providing an opportunity for presentation of papers, and stimulating interest in entomology. These branches are:
- Eastern
- North Central
- Pacific
- Southeastern
- Southwestern
- International
ECP Committee
Composed of representative from all geographic Branches and subject matter-oriented Sections, ESA's Committee on Early Career Professionals is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in entomology. You can find the Committee on X, view the full roster (ESA member login required), or send the Committee a message.
Publication Opportunities
Entomology Today
The news site of the Entomological Society of America, reaching over 11,000 subscribers across the globe. From groundbreaking research to personal perspectives, Entomology Today covers it all. The ECP Committee's “Standout ECPs” series celebrates the achievements, passion, and impact of early career entomologists.
American Entomologist
A quarterly magazine published by the Entomological Society of America, featuring a range of peer-reviewed articles accessible to a broad entomology audience. The Subimago column provides a platform for ECPs to share a short writing pieces that tackle issues in entomology from an ECP perspective. Topics may includes science-related, professional development and career, and other topics related to the ECP experience. Learn more and submit today.
Other ESA Publications
Career Development Programs
Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT)
ESA’s Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) program can help you develop the leadership capacity and “soft skills” sought after in today’s highly collaborative work environments—both within and beyond academia.
Science Policy Fellows Program
The Science Policy Fellows (SPF) program is a two-year active training program to teach entomologists the skills needed to successfully advocate for the discipline. The training focuses on federal policy in Washington, D.C. Each year, a handful of applicants are selected by a competitive application process.
Earn a Certification
Board certification in entomology is a way for professionals to stand out from the crowd, to prove their capabilities to customers and employers, and differentiate themselves from others in the field. ESA offers the following opportunities:
Mentorship
Connect with a mentor through Entomentos, a FREE flexible and informal mentorship program geared toward supporting entomology students and early career professionals. Through June–November, participants can attend weekly meetings about a broad range of topics like building a CV, financial management, and networking.
Job Searching
ESA's Career Center
This is an excellent resource for job seekers in the field of entomology. It includes a range of career opportunities from academic positions to industry roles.
Find your perfect position. Sign up for job alerts that match your qualifications and interest. Submit your resume to the resume database (members only).
Take advantage of discounted career services. Enjoy member pricing on resume writing, coaching, reference checks, and career development resources.
Networking Events
Attending ESA meetings is a great way for ECPs to find job opportunities and connect with mentors or potential employers. Every year, ESA offers a national Annual Meeting in the fall, as well as local Branch Meetings in the spring that offer numerous sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Salary Benchmarking
ESA offers Insect Science Career Data, ESA offers Insect Science Career Data, a salary, compensation, and benefits benchmarking survey tool that will help you see how your position compares to your peers.
Career Development Articles
Consider some of these links below to get you thinking about how you can best position yourself for a long career in entomology.
- Alternatives: Entomologists Who Use Their Hard-Earned Research Skills in Non-Research Careers (Entomology Today)
- 10 Habits of Highly Successful Entomologists (Entomology Today)
- From Research to Extension: 5 Things I Learned When I Changed My Science Career Path (Entomology Today)
- A Female Entomologist’s Perspective on Science and the Tenure System (Entomology Today)
- Interview with Fiona Hunter, Medical Entomologist (Entomology Today)
- Interview with Gwen Pearson, Bug Girl (Entomology Today)
- Using Social Media to Promote Entomology (Entomology Today)
- What is an Entomologist? (EnvironmentalScience.org)
- Early Career Tips (ACSESS)
- Famous Female Entomologists (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)
Career Development Webinars
From interviewing skills to hacking the academic job market, ESA’s exclusive members-only webinars offer a variety of professional development and career-related learning opportunities.