Scott grew up in Texas, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut before attending University of Delaware and earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. After spending three years working field jobs on northern goshawk, three-toed woodpecker, burrowing owl and marine mammals, Scott worked as a database manager and computer software trainer. To move back toward a career in the natural sciences, Scott completed a Master of Science in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University investigating foraging habits of Caspian terns in the Columbia River Estuary. After graduation, he began as a database manager for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Scott is currently a statewide bird biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.org) and coordinator of the North Carolina Birding Trail (ncbirdingtrail.org).