What is something you’ve done to create positive change in our field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 3/31/25
Answers from Biologists:
Be a mentor to current undergrads through a college mentor program.
Serve on the DEI committee of my state TWS chapter.
Discuss my neurodivergence and mental health openly with my students and mentees.
Prioritize BIPOC and queer/trans students for paid internships.
Share potential regulation/legal changes up the change because I know my supervisors aren’t as versed.
Called out and reported toxic men who harass and bully women and POC.
I pay “healthy” wages an ensure work/life balance for my team.
Continue to support DEI efforts.
Advocating (and practicing) work life balance, along with fair pay and benefits for techs.
Encourage all my new coworkers to use their PTO and sick days.
Create a safe queer space and advocate for trans colleagues (especially when they aren’t around.
Refused to host pay to play internships at a big green international nonprofit.
Hire techs with no “relevant” job experience. We all start somewhere!
Openly talk about health and hygiene in the field (periods, illness, etc.)
Donate to student scholarship funds.
I’m vocal about my boundaries and gently question my peers who don’t have boundaries.
Didn’t let Jr. staff ghostwrite. Get your name as report coauthor!
I’m running for VP of my chapter of TWS to organize and push towards a better future for wildlife(rs).
Hype up folks getting into the field and talk openly about my journey.
I like to spend my lunch break removing invasive plants.
I share my experience, so others know that success via a non-traditional path is possible.
Help write policy for Employee Resource Group to exist at work.
Stopped buying field supplies from Amazon.
Leaked professional society information to membership so they could self advocate.
Refuse unpaid work and advise others against it.
Mentoring young people in the field.
I vote in all my local elections.
Joined a union.
Got voted onto my state TWS board.
Worked to increase the pay of my techs.
Refused to take unpaid positions.
