What’s a piece of advice for those just starting in the field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/14/25
Answers from Biologists:
If you are feeling unsafe from people or environment, speak up. Don’t “stick it out”.
Speak up for your safety. Advocate for working in pairs when possible and a sat phone.
Ask for extra trainings, like CPR certs. There are often a bunch available for free to you.
Don’t be taken advantage of. Maintain work life balance or you’ll burn out.
Document all of your species experience with hours, handling, location, date, etc.
Don’t be afraid to challenge or leave a toxic workplace. You deserve better.
Big hat, long sleeves, long pants, all the time. Your future self will thank you.
Everyone’s career isn’t linear and sometimes we have to divert to make ends meet.
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself especially when it comes to learning new skills.
Don’t be afraid to work in areas that aren’t your desired specialty.
Be confident in yourself and stand your ground. You don’t have to put up with mistreatment or rudeness.
Take your lunch breaks.
Sunscreen. Don’t forget the backs of your hands and ears.
Bugspray. Keep any ticks you find attached in case you need to test them.
Find a mentor that’s doing something you’re interested in.
Be willing to try everything once.
Apply for jobs that sound interesting, even if they aren’t your dream projects/species of interest.
Never work outside of work. You think reading scientific papers is fun? Don’t care. Do it on work time.
Sunscreen.
It’s okay if fieldwork isn’t for you. Doesn’t make you less of a biologist.
Getting into a relationship with someone in your field team can get complicated very easily.
Even dream jobs are still jobs. Make sure positions will still fulfill your life outside of work.
Remember it’s a small field. We talk to each other a lot.
It’s okay to move around/change jobs to try new things and find what you like best.
Electrolytes. A small bottle with your powder of choice, even SaltStick chewables.
Keep a bottle of aloe in your fridge for when you get a bad burn.
Everyone says to move around, but there can actually be an advantage to staying in one place.
Try to set reasonable work/life boundaries from the start-it’s harder to backtrack.
Take any opportunity to assist with something you’ve never done before.
Pre-hydrate. If you know it’s going to be a hot day, drink electrolytes the day before.
Be flexible about moving in the start of your career.
Have a plan for rent and pets to prep for seasonal job travel.
Look for a mentor you trust.
Don’t get a pet in undergrad. It will really limit your ability to live in tech housing.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions (ex: how to handle your period during fieldwork).
Don’t have to jump into a MS right after undergrad. See what you enjoy first.
Learn to code early. Writing R code is pretty unavoidable these days.
Microaggressions don’t go away by ignoring. It’s uncollaborative/inefficient.
Bring more water and snacks than you think you need.
Be willing do do crappy stuff (within reason).
Be flexible and allow yourself to be more open than one type of career within the field.
