Would you like to submit a question to the community of Biologists?
How did you find your focus/specialty?
Ask a Biologist Monday 1/17/22
Answers from Biologists:
As a generalist, I struggle a lot with not having a specialty. But I know my strengths and fell into those.
I took a carnivore tech job in undergrad and knew that was what I wanted.
Accidentally, after a series of oddly fishy coincidences (salmon habitat restoration).
Tried to make my resume well rounded by keeping an open mind. Goal was to find stability.
Undergrad research led me to study birds in grad school. Met the right people at the right time.
Finding mentors that helped me narrow my focus. Now I love what I do!
Taking a class in undergrad led me to birds and the more I learned, the more I loved.
Random decision to take ornithology during undergrad and I fell in love.
Blended my prior skills in customer service with ecology/biology and became a private lands bio.
Worked a variety of seasonal jobs.
I actually got my job (heritage data specialist) because I was a Jack of all trades.
Took a chance and applied for a position in undergrad, it happened to be a great fit.
Was going to do Chem, then realized I should follow my passion (Wildlife).
I assisted on an urban bat monitoring project. I got hooked on acoustic research as a result.
Took a random disease course in undergrad and became fascinated with tick borne diseases.
I followed which ecological questions I found were exciting, interesting, and important.
I had planned on focusing on different species but this opportunity appeared first and grew.
Went from early childhood education to bats thanks to a community college mentor.
Volunteered at a wild bird rehab center and realized I loved working with birds.
One of my required courses was taught by a waterfowl professor and he made me love it!
Growing up in the woods set me up to be an ecologist because I love all ecosystem components.
Volunteering and working various field jobs throughout undergrad.
Took a risk on an invertebrate job.
Being a generalist (wildlife and botany) has really helped me in environmental consulting.
Interned at a reptile sanctuary, was handed a snake and something clicked!
From an early age, I was compelled to hold fish.
I didn’t specialize. I always loved to diversify my work.
My university hired an ornithologist and once I met her that started my bird path.
Volunteering with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game during grad school.
State job postings. I needed a stable income and benefits.
More of a generalist. I didn’t want to pigeonhole myself and also wanted to be well rounded. I sought stability.
What is a recent advance/discovery in your area of the field?
Ask a Biologist Monday 1/10/22
Answers from Biologists:
Discovery of a new snail species in a hot spring.
Possible recent discovery of facultative viviparity in South African tortoises.
Nearly 1/4 of the US population of Golden eagles breeds in AK in the summer.
Materials used in roads/tires are killing PNW salmon.
Soybean gall midge will infect other legumes too.
Cattails have naturalized in some places in the Midwest.
We’ve just named a new family of stoneflies.
Our museum discovered a new parasite in Osprey.
Kuchling and Hoffmeyr 2022 discovered facultative viviparity in tortoise.
A potential cure for hydronephrosis.
Spotted skunks are being split up into a couple new species in North America.
A new species of neotropical tanager from the Andes-the Inti Tanager.
What is a Biology-related goal of yours for 2022?
Ask a Biologist 1/3/22
Answers from Biologists:
Try to publish my first article
Pass my mussel test and be state qualified for relocation
Finally have a job in my field after completing my master’s degree
Learn more coding skills
Find an advisor for grad school
Get my master’s degree and find a PhD position
Pass my qualifying exams for my PhD
Saying “no” more. I love my job but I am more than my job.
Get into grad school and get better at identifying tracks
Finish my master’s thesis (and defend it)
Submit thesis chapters for publication
Finish my thesis
Get into grad school and gain more fieldwork experience
Coordinate with other agencies and states to improve our best management practices
Continue to advocate for and ensure research projects are properly designed
Leave Botswana to start my fieldwork for my master’s thesis
Defend my thesis
Get that international ajolote collaboration going
I have 3 manuscripts I really need to submit
Develop an internship curriculum to help prep for grad school. ArcMap, R, lit review, etc.
Every year is the same: more fish!
Get any bio-related job and or figure out if I want to do graduate school
Find a new job in this field that actually excites and motivates me
Defend my master’s thesis
Get into a good grad program
To make my certificate into a master’s degree
Finish my master’s thesis
Get better at having work/life balance and give good advice/make new people feel welcome
Read more bio/nature related books
To finish my thesis and defend
Start my master’s and be able to identify at least 5 species of nematodes without help
Find a subject for my master’s thesis
Improve my grant writing skills. I’m applying for over $300k worth of grants this year
Starting my PhD
Enroll into grad school. It is time for that next step
Finish my associate’s so I can do my bachelor’s
Get fully prepped for our offices first bison collaring effort
Learn how to slow down, say no, and prioritize life outside of work
Improve my mushroom, lichen, and mold ID skills
Learn new trapping skills and get “that promotion”
Make time to keep up on current research, especially related to win/solar/bats/birds
Come up with a thesis idea
Start my microbiology master’s program this fall
Driving trailers and mastering fly fishing
Employment and experience
Publish my PhD work that I worked on the last 4 years
To defend my dissertation (6 yrs, a move, and a kiddo later)
Pass my comprehensive exam
Finally get a job or internship in my field
Move to a new country and find as many species as I can
Work life balance. And more practice in R
Write a paper with another scientist I look up to
What was your favorite moment from work this year?
Answers from Biologists:
Seeing Eastern Diamondbacks in NC
Catching 9 bobcats in under 2 weeks
Teaching undergraduate volunteers how to age and collect CWD samples off deer
Leaving a toxic PhD advisor and joining a wonderful lab
Seeing rare species of birds on nest sweeps like the Sora and Common nighthawk
When the animal ambassador kestrel perched on command with no mice given
Capturing my first armadillo in a live trap successfully after finally getting funds and IACUC approval
Awarded NAF GRFP and started grad school with the best lab and advisor
Being recognized for my contributions and input being valued by my PI
Contracted 24 miles of woven wire fencing to be removed and replaced it with wildlife friendly fencing
Spotting a CA condor chick and a peregrine falcon flying by me in the same day
Learning more about bobcats and what amazing and elusive creatures they are
Getting a grant for my dream field research on red eyed tree frogs
Getting hired as the youngest tech in my division by 10 years
Got a neotrop grant to start a Caribbean land bird monitoring program
Got a whole municipality to make nature including building for any new buildings (bat boxes)
Being part of a team to get Canadian migratory bats listed as endangered
Getting my first full time job
Getting my first job where I get to focus on wildlife protection and not damage management
Trapped the highest number of prairie dogs my PI has ever seen
Getting to recreate the monarch exhibit, education program and rear over 100 healthy individuals
When my students thanked me for a good semester. I was wicked stressed and want’t expecting it at all
Published my first paper as lead author about the Western bluebirds I work with
Found 4 nesting birds in one massive oak tree
Restored 1200’ of shoreline and 9 oyster reefs in just under 4 months and they're thriving
Seeing a bunch of crocodiles basking
Bred 20,000 endangered tadpoles. Previously our record was 2000
A series of small triumphs getting R code to work properly.
Swabbing hundreds of bats for white nose syndrome and having all results come back negative
Collaring bison in northern British Columbia
Finally starting a project that was suppose to start in 2020
Graduated with a BS in Wildlife Bio
Getting my first pub in a magazine
Finding the first documented leatherback nest on South Padre Island
Had my first author manuscript accepted into a journal
Got headhunted for a junior wildlife bio job before starting my last semester of undergrad
Supervising some undergrads and teaching them the ins and outs of catching bats
Trapping swift foxes to be reintroduced to Ft. Belknap in MT
Doing nest bird surveys in CA hearing hermit thrush calls throughout the forest
Finding 9 Rusty patch bumblebees during one day of surveys
Found an elusive state threatened mudpuppy in western Iowa
Heli-darting 20 caribou while 5 months pregnant
My step daughter was voted best project in her class based on her help with the monarchs this season
Getting paid to work on O'ahu
Getting a new job with a raise and much better benefits and more compelling work
Catching a baby Goliath grooper (under 50mm) in a seagrass trawl
Actually seeing the animal I'd been tracking (red wolf)
Finally getting a permanent, salaried position with great benefits
Finally finished my Master's and looks like I landed a great job
Starting my first field season of grad school
Learning to tube and pit tag rattlesnakes
Getting my BS in Biology
Getting an illegal party that’s been happening at my park for 10+ years shut down for the first time
We found 2 pairs of Northern spotted owls in a place they hadn’t been in years
Getting to ride in a helicopter to our field sites
Do you recommend your BS/MS/PhD program(s)?
Ask a Biologist Monday 12/20/21
BS: New Mexico State University-both the Wildlife and Conservation Ecology programs are top notch. Lots of great professors, hands on experiences, trips, and opportunities to network, plus affordable.
MS: CKWRI (TAMUK-Kingsville)-one of the top grad schools in the country, for good reason. Well funded, networking is incredible, lots of connections with local agencies and land owners, groundbreaking research.
Answers from Biologists:
Bachelor’s:
Michigan State University
Fisheries and Wildlife-small classes, lots of field experience
Recommend. Tons of great majors, courses, and research opportunities
UGA
Ecology-amazing
Warnell school of Forestry and Natural Resources-Highly recommend
UDel
highly recommended natural resources program
College of Charleston
expensive but well funded, new equipment/labs, and fun!
UC Davis
research powerhouse, great professors, great location. Lots of opportunities to get involved and hone interests with variety of majors. Faculty are great and caring.
yes. Great professors, very hands on and lots of opportunities for research.
SUNY Cobelskill
yes. Very hands on program and great connections to be made.
University of Montana
top wildlife program. Tons of hands on in the field opportunities
program was interesting and professors care. Clubs are wonderful and active. World class faculty
U of Utah
10/10, lots of opportunities, smart professors
UofNM
would recommend
TAMU-Kingsville
Wildlife-prepared me really well
U of Saskatchewan
Biology-professors are awesome, lots of research opportunities, but we don’t learn skills that make us competitive at this time (R, higher level stats, modeling, etc.)
Paul Smiths College
isolated small community. Great for hands on learning
yes if you want a small school
Humboldt State
Wildlife-Amazing. I work with lots of HSU alumni
highly knowledgeable faculty, hands on learning, beautiful place. Relatively small class size
will always recommend. You’ll be eligible for federal jobs. They provide many hands on involved classes.
Biology with emphasis in Ecology-yes!
Wildlife Biology-loved it'
Range management-small program with great extracurricular activities. Degree follows governmental guidelines and qualifies you for the 0454 Range Specialist job series.
University of WI Stevens Point
highly recommend. Tons of hands on field experience and great professors.
UW Whitewater
recommend
CSU Warner College
absolutely. Lots of local networking opportunities and amazing faculty. Cost of living in Fort Collins can be high.
NMU in Marquette MI
great professors, resources, and the area is amazing for biology and outdoor stuff, as long as you don’t mind snow/cold
UCM
pretty basic program. Connections with MDC were great. If you leave MO though, most employers don’t know the school, which has made it harder to find a job.
Earlham College
Biology-small school, HUGE hands-on wildlife/field biology programs
UofRhode Island
amazing
Virginia Tech
great school. Lots of hands on field experience.
Georgia Southern
fine
Evergreen State College
unique opportunities for undergrads. Rare gem
UTKnox
Wildlife and fisheries-highly recommend. Lots of opportunities to get experience, very hands on. Required semester of “fall camp” at different field locations. Everyone in the department stresses field experience. Lots of networking.
SUNY ESF
loved it but it was small so not a ton of opportunities but very hands on.
Purdue
highly recommend. Lots of hands on fieldwork, opportunities outside of class, ID courses are awesome, professors are amazing, and you learn R and other modeling systems.
Iowa State
loved it. Faculty were fantastic and genuinely care. Affordable out of state.
University of Minnesota
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology-like the program a lot. Required field course. Multiple stats classes. Lots of taxonomy courses. Huge research institute with lots of opportunities. Relatively small major though. Costly though. Not a ton of diversity in the FWCB program though diversity in school as a whole.
Roanoke College
for getting into Wildlife, I do NOT recommend their environmental program
SIUC
not extremely well-suited for getting hired afterwards
Wageningen University (Netherlands)
BS: mixed Dutch and English
TRU
Natural Resources Science-love it. Covers a range of topics. Teach coding in R and GIS. Small program so lots of time with professors.
University of Saint Francis
Environmental Science-staff and student groups are amazing. Very expensive and you have to take religious classes to graduate.
TAMU-College Station
highly recommend. Focus on applicable experience.
University of Maine
Wildlife Ecology-recommend
Master’s:
Reminder: Much more important than the school or program or location is your choice in advisor!
UofOK
not recommended for those needing a natural resources focus.
I have full tuition waiver in addition to stipend. Faculty at NREM are awesome. Courses are okay. Lots of new faculty.
Tufts
Conservation medicine-Highly recommend. Not funded but provided amazing opportunities and professors are great. Small classes, more project based.
GA Southern
would recommend with reservations
CKWRI (TAMUK-Kingsville)
great but definitely do your research on advisor.
Wur the Netherlands
Forestry and Nature Conservation-highly recommend
UW La Crosse
excellent for aquatic research and learning
University of Tromso, Norway
Amazing experience in English
University of Central Florida
Great for learning statistics and well-rounded in ecology and biology
Northwestern
Plant Biology and Conservation-in conjunction with the Chicago Botanical Garden. Opened lots of doors.
GMU
not so great
OEP
good for people who want to learn a variety of things (lab, fieldwork, etc.)
WIU
they have no right attempting to support grad students and seem barely able to support undergrads. Incredibly traumatic experience for me and many other grad students. Professors do not care about students generally. Bullying and harassment.
South Dakota State University
a lot of internal politics but my advisor was great at finding funding and projects for his students
UFL
Wildlife Forensics-obsessed with this program
WSU-School of Bio
do not recommend
Georgia Southern
TERRIBLE. Department does not care. Even did background research on my advisor but it didn’t help. Learned little, made no connections, hated my time there. But I graduated.
University of Montana
learned so much and met so many wonderful folks. Demanding program but most advisors communicate well and realize your life is more than just grad school.
SIUC
grad school is doing cutting edge research on freshwater fisheries management
Wageningen University (Netherlands)
MS: fully in English. Lots of opportunities and freedom to specialize how you like.
Humboldt
withdrawn due to overwhelming sexism from the almost entirely male faculty, including my own advisor. Really pretty area where mountains meet ocean. Education was great, experience was not.
West Texas A&M
Plant Science-strong program with lots of research and internship opportunities
University of Michigan
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Frontiers MS Program-fully funded program. Friendly faculty open to collaboration. R1 institute with lots of opportunities.
Sul Ross State
Highly recommend. Very hands on. Incredible professors and researchers.
University of Delaware
research is hard and advisors expect a lot, but worth it. Very hands on with lots of field opportunities.
PhD:
Reminder: Much more important than the school or program or location is your choice in advisor!
UofO
10/10
Pay transparency
Ask a Biologist Monday 12/13/21
I have a bachelor’s in Conservation Ecology and a Master’s in Range and Wildlife science and around 10 years of experience in the field.
This post ended up growing into something more than I could have imagined! Long story short, take the survey (linked below) and stay tuned for the results.
What species/group of species would you want to work with?
Ask a Biologist Monday 12/6/21
I would love to work with quolls. They are such a fascinating species that not many people are aware of outside of Australia.
Answers from Biologists:
Corvids
I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t want to work with!
Arctic foxes
Mustelids
Mustelids. But I currently work with gray foxes and they’re awesome.
Rhinos (Undergrad)
Mustelids, tassie devils, or quolls.
The deep sea ecosystem
Otters
River otters
Cuttlefish
Cervids
Mustelids, owls, and bison
Any type of fox
Mustelids
Literally any fauna. Botanist life is hard!
Orcas (Undergrad)
Redpolls
As a kid I wanted to study jellyfish. But now I also love turtles.
Great hornbill.
Louisiana Black Bear (Undergrad)
Larches
Dholes
I love working with heros, but the short time I’ve had with skunks and weasels has been fun.
Old world vultures
Poweshiek Skipperling, again! Though any butterfly species would be equally as amazing.
Start conducting freshwater mussel surveys in Minnesota.
Fennec fox
Frogs
Alligator gar. One of the coolest freshwater fish in existence.
Mangroves
Snow leopards (Undergrad)
Leatherback sea turtles
Zebras (Undergrad)
Saltwater crocodiles
Marshbirds
Puffins or penguins (Undergrad)
Condors
Owls
Fruit bats and puffins
Tucos. Specifically ctenomys sociabilis (Undergrad)
Sand-colored nighthawks
Marmots and pika
Tuatara
Bats. Heck they’re cute!
Reptiles
Coyotes
Herons or loons
Butterflies or velvet worms (Undergrad)
Masked owl (a type of barn owl) or invasive deer
Tenrecs
I would love to with with okapi
Birds
Jays or bats. So bitey and cute!
Tell us a fieldwork success story!
Ask A Biologist Monday 11/29/21
Back in my tech days, right after I learned to trap black bear, I managed to catch my first bear: a HUGE male that easily weighed 500lbs! Our scale only went up to 450lbs and one of his paws was still resting on the ground. It was so exciting!
Answers from Biologists:
Deconstructing a weather station without the correct tools.
Eating ramen noodles at 1am after spending 6 hours following a radio-tagged lemur.
Hand digging a buried albatross chick out of a snowdrift.
Found the northern spotted owl nest that 3 coworkers had looked for.
Found 4 whooping cranes on a site my park managers wanted to open to ATVs.
Effectively using radio telemetry to track Gila trout.
Got to be on an episode of Wildlife Nation with Jeff Corwin.
Found a cutthroat population on a forest we thought all the pops were accounted for.
Collared 19 caribou calves in one day via helicopter darting.
Spent 2 months searching for Lesser yellowlegs nests. Found 2 the day before they hatched.
Banded 166 endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker chicks in one nesting season.
Didn’t panic when I was pushed around by a manatee my students thought was a Bull shark.
Convinced our archaeologist and local Tribes to designate the Phillips agave as a cultural resource.
Hiked down 4 large timber rattlesnakes to add to my radio tracked sample in one (long) day.
Tracked a bobcat to its exact location and remote downloaded points.
Used shower curtain rods as mist net poles for bat research. Worked great in a pinch!
Setting up my bat detector-electronics are not my forte, so a proud moment.
Finding one last ovenbird nest when I was about to give up hope because it looked old.
Finished the entire day without anyone being stung by a hornet.
Slipped in a yucky pond with a bat in hand, but the bat didn’t get wet. Just me!
Finding wolf dens to cross-foster captive born pups into wild dens.
Found the elusive AIS we were searching for on lunch while looking for cool rocks.
Working with the aggregate industry and Bank Swallows. I was so nervous but by the end of the field season a few operators were interested in creating site plans.
Got my facility designated as an arboretum.
We messed up the planned material design so had to re-design it on the spot, which actually turned out to be a better method than the original!
What piece of winter field gear do you recommend?
Ask a Biologist Monday 11/22/21
I really love a good vest for the winter. It keeps your core warm and overall makes such a difference.
Answers from Biologists:
Heat packs for inside gloves and socks. I can’t be outside in the field without them.
A versatile neck covering to keep the wind off. Something thin-ish that traps heat and has good coverage.
Good, warm boots.
Gaiters
Warm socks. Bonus if they keep moisture off your feet. Cold feet can totally ruin a day.
Balaclavas. Northern Alberta gets to be -45C and the wind stings your face.
Good boots.
A beanie.
Merino wool socks. A good pair of socks can save the day.
Artix snow pant. Lightweight and well insulated. A must have if you dislike cold.
In MN, I lived in my Carhartt insulated coveralls with sleeves.
Wind River thermal leggings.
Tall waterproof boots and a long coat.
Snowsuits make me hate winter less and get outdoors more. Even in -50C it’s okay for a bit.
Base layers. I prefer wool and it really makes a difference.
Wool socks and wool base layers. Merino wool is my favorite.
I live in base layers and wool socks from November to March.
A merino wool headband. I pair it with a hat to warm up or cool down as needed.
A gator. It keeps my face and neck warm.
Mittens. Having my fingers all in the same compartment keeps them warmer than gloves.
Toque (beanie) over a wool/fleece baseball hat.
Long johns and thick socks.
Bib overalls with lots of pockets. I like insulated duck canvas. Durable and water repellent.
A beanie with a brim. Sun protection and warm ears in one.
Mittens. Life changing if your hands get cold easily.
Merino wool long sleeves and hand warmers.
I never leave for the field in cold weather without my wool base layer under field pant.
A beanie with a brim. Sun protection and keeps your ears warm.
A merino wool headband. I pair it with a hat to warm up or cool down as needed.
Insulated bibs.
Wool gloves that pop over to mittens. Best way to keep your hands warm when it’s damp.
Heated socks, used sparingly, can be a game changer.
A buff/neck tube. When I am in Alaska it’s super windy so it can hurt to breathe without one.
Layers, layers, layers. But also a nice warm vest for your core.
Rain pants are a must for rainy winters. Anything to keep socks dry.
Merino wool long sleeves and hand warmers.
Extra socks and gloves.
A moisture wicking base layer like underarmor.
Quilted Carhartt bibs for hours in one place.
As a broke grad student I invested in Underarmor gear and I’m still wearing it 10 years later.
A buff to cover your nose and mouth.
What is a must have book for this profession (textbook, field guide, etc.)
Ask a Biologist 11/8/21
I recommend the Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks. It has information on tracks, scats, and more for identifying a large range of species.
Answers from Biologists:
Peterson or Audubon field guides
Sibley bird guide. I use the Western one.
Biology writing handbook. Great for easy reference without going down an internet rabbit hole.
Sibley birds.
Statistics for Terrified Biologists. Because math.
The Wildlife Techniques manual
A state Breeding Bird Atlas. Essential for my work.
Plant Identification Terminology. This book is a lifesaver if you do any botany work.
Peterson, Pyle, and Sibley for all species. Writing manuals.
For Fisheries science-the Tragedy of Commodity
Newcombe’s Wildflowers for the curious biologist on a lunch break.
A really good survival guide
R for Data Science-this has been super useful for my MS research.
Biology dictionary
Skull ID book
Lone Pines, Amphibian guide-good ID for tadpoles
Crossley waterfowl ID guide
Bat Calls of Britain and Europe by John Ross-for chirotology
Wetland Plants of the Upper Midwest by Chadde-for botany types
Identification Guide to North American Birds by Peter Pyle
Don’t be Such a Scientist -good for people who work with the public
Verbal Judo
What are you doing to/how can we add diversity to the field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 11/1/21
I have worked with other biologists to create a free Guide to Becoming a Wildlife Biologist, mentor early career biologists, do Ask a Biologist Monday, am clear about being a Hispanic woman, and am open about my struggles with anxiety, depression, and chronic migraines.
Answers from Biologists:
Mentor folks new to the field.
Listen to Indigenous people with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
Labs/research groups need to start offering paid work instead of volunteer positions.
Paid internships that offer an actual livable wage.
Remove “that’s how it’s always been” from your vocabulary.
I’m openly gay. I hope it inspires LGBTQ+ people to get into Biology.
Pay interns.
Create apprenticeships.
Be open about your disabilities and how you can still perform your job despite them.
More brown Biologists in the mainstream.
Include high school students and younger students in field work/trips.
Phase out unpaid experience.
Mentor young women/POC/LGBTQ+. Support women peers.
Push back on sexism.
Making efforts to make it less than the traditional “hook and bullet” (fishing and hunting) entry into the field.
Educational outreach, especially in underserved communities.
Develop stem content and role models for kids at an early age, especially underserved communities.
Managing alumni pages to make sure as many people as possible see the posting.
What makes someone a good Biologist?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/25/21
Science is nothing without the ability to communicate it to the Public. An important part of being an effective Biologist is communicating complex science to those without the same background as you. If you can break a complex idea down into the basics and help another to understand it, then you truly have a grasp on that topic.
Answers from Biologists:
Honesty and accountability.
Not being cocky and learning from people in the field who learned from the land.
Knowing it’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t know everything but are willing to learn.
Empathy. Or at least an understanding of different stakeholder’s points of view.
Inquisitive mind, ability to think outside the box. And some math ability.
Using your position to make the field as inclusive as possible.
Creativity! In asking questions designing methods, executing fieldwork, etc.
Curiosity.
Being very observant and persistent, and open-minded in the wake of failure.
Good personality and a smile. Makes remote sites more fun!
Care about students, animals, and community well-being.
A baseline curiosity, paired with the ability to ask and answer scientific questions.
A curious mind. A little bit of drive. A lot of flexibility (the plan rarely works out on the first try.
Being open-minded to opinions and suggestions of folks you supervise.
Ability to stay calm and positive when things don’t work out in the field.
Willing to both ask and answer questions, especially the “dumb” ones.
Learning and seeking to improve yourself. Advocating for development/advancement of those you supervise.
Work ethic, dedication, and a solid understanding of the scientific method.
Creativity and a willingness to listen to others.
Staying curious and asking the right questions.
What is a piece of advice for Biology undergrads?
Ask A Biologist Monday 10-18-21
My advice is to start getting experience as soon as possible. Extensive, varied experience will set you apart in the job hunt once you graduate.
Answers from Biologists:
Think about what you want to do with your degree post-graduation early and work to build useful skills.
Don’t overwork yourself for the sake of your CV. It’s okay to want a personal life.
When starting to apply for federal jobs, find a Fed and ask them for the best tips. It’s tricky!
Find a skillset that you love and that sets you apart in the job market.
Get involved in a cool lab. You’ll learn more there than in classes.
School projects can be used as experience on resumes.
NETWORK.
Volunteer as much as possible.
Try lots of different experiences (taxa, lab vs. field, etc.) to see what you like.
Look into certifications and skills that will make your resume competitive.
You will likely need a combo of lots of field experience and a rigorous Master’s program to get a permanent position.
Good mentors, coaches, formal and informal are everything. Surround yourself with supporters.
Volunteering is a great way to see what you like/dislike and you can network.
Take advantage of all the networking opportunities. Make connections with professors, staff, and students.
Make sure your program meets the course requirements for federal and state biologist positions.
Diversify your experience to show you’re adaptable and willing to learn new things.
Don’t spend a ton of time on each seasonal job application unless it’s special. Apply for a bunch (like 50-100).
Get involved with a lab at your school. PIs and grad students are often looking for undergrad help.
Travel and work in a variety of different ecosystems.
Professors can be an excellent reference when applying for jobs.
Don’t get stuck in one taxa. Work on a variety of projects. You’ll get great experience.
Attend professor’s office hours, build a relationship with the professor. Foot in the door for field/lab opportunities.
Make an elevator speech about you and your accomplishments. Have it memorized.
Apply to jobs everywhere. Don’t hold yourself back by staying in one place!
Volunteer! It’s a great way to see what you like/dislike in the field.
Build diverse experience. Stats, birds, mammals, outreach, etc.
Don’t be afraid of stats or trying new things.
Find an advisor who will listen to you and help you accomplish your goals.
Get to know professionals in your field. Their advice is priceless!
Learn GIS and R while still in school.
Find relevant summer employment.
Protect your mental health.
Don’t wait until your senior year to get experience or make connections.
Join a professional society within your field.
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What job would you have if you weren’t a Biologist?
Ask A Biologist 10/11/21
I’ve always said that if I weren’t a Biologist, I would be a taxidermist. I genuinely feel that I would be pretty good at it based on the amount of associated skills I have used being a Biologist and my enjoyment of it.
Answers from Biologists:
Something to do with crime or forensics
Historian
Counseling or psychology
A test pilot or winemaker
Librarian
Food scientist or culinary school
Veterinarian
Mortician
Florist or bartender
Taxidermist-I currently do it as my side hustle
Pastry chef
Teach, tour guide, or coffee shop owner
Teacher-middle school or high school
Anthropologist
English teacher
Marine corp pilot
Writer or illustrator of children’s books
Rally car racer
Immigration lawyer
Midwife
Realtor or nurse-this was my backup if I didn’t have a stable job by 30
Boat mechanic
Sex and relationship therapist
Work at a plant nursery or dog trainer
Anthropologist or archeologist
Archeologist
Business and marketing
ER nurse
Archeologist
Veterinarian or teacher
Massage therapist, psychologist, bartender, or environmental justice lawyer advocating for better pay
Crime scene investigator
Librarian with a bunch of rescue dogs
Textile conservation
Marketing for outdoor companies and dog gear companies
Wilderness therapy or fiction writer
Something in the trades: electrician, carpenter, or construction contractor
Open a bra store with inclusive sizing
SCUBA instructor
Chef or baker
Forensic pathologist
Petsmart cashier
Veterinarian
Genetic counselor
Geology
Taxidermist
What’s your favorite study species and why?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/4/21
When I first started out, I imagined myself studying wolves or other large, charismatic predators, as many people do. But the further I got into my career, I realized how incredible other species are and the true challenges of studying predators (lack of funding, politics, pushback from the public, few study individuals, etc.). Studying mule deer in Colorado as a technician showed me how fascinating other species can be and the incredible breadth of things that can be studied about them.
Answers from Biologists:
Bats. There is still so much unknown about them.
Bats. There is so much we don’t know and the sense of community in the scientific crowd.
Parasites. They are everywhere and it’s fascinating how they interact with their host.
Coyotes. Charismatic but absolutely thriving in the Antropocene.
Bats. They’re incredibly fascinating and need lots of help and research.
The nightjar family. They’re beautiful an interesting and there is so much that we still don’t know about them.
American kestrel. They are simply tiny dinosaurs.
In general, reptiles and amphibians.
Cottonwoods and willows. Really important riparian forest restoration in the west.
Sandhill cranes. Their management story is and inspirational conservation success that isn’t well known.
Torrey pines. I did my capstone on them on Santa Rosa Island.
Northern spotted owls. I love the night schedule and how interactive they can be.
Seaweeds and seagrasses because they support entire marine communities.
Raccoons. I am surprised by how much I love them.
Social and group animals. Love those dynamics.
Pikas. They’re found in the most beautiful places and the sound they make is so funny and unique.
Owls. They’re so neat and hard to find. Especially the flagship species.
Canada geese. So indignant about being handled and really fun social interactions to watch.
Shorebirds. Challenging to identify and fun to watch.
Songbird nests. The chicks look like grumpy old men.
Gila trout. Super unique and native only to AZ and NM.
Elf owls. Not much is known about them and they are charming.
Lobsters. An important keystone species.
Black bears. Smart, curious, resilient, and truly unique individual personalities.
Seaweeds and seagrasses. They support entire marine communities.
The nighjar family. Beautiful, interesting, and so much we still don’t know about them.
How do you balance personal time with your career?
Answers from Biologists:
Running! If I go fast enough I can't ID every single plant then I can clear my head.
My kitties and partner encourage me to rest and recover before going back to the field.
Guard my evenings and weekends like Smaug guards his treasure.
I turn my planner into a glamorized to do list so I can keep what I need to do on paper, freeing my mind and allowing me to relax.
Boundaries, saying no when possible. Also taking time in which you don't talk about work.
Get into work early and out early so I can spend some daylight with my family and sci Fi books.
I am intentional with my rest and leisure time. I stop work at 5 and schedule breaks.
Have a list of to do's sit the day and the week. When it's done it's personal time.
I have fixed office hours and do not work outside of them unless necessary.
It's tough, but saying no to too much work, setting boundaries, and dog walks.
I try to stick to a regular schedule and avoid working weekends.
I don't check my email when I'm not at work, except on super rare occasions.
Hobbies! It's important to have things that take your mind off work.
Make sure I always get my exercise and house cleaning in.
I've been making sure to take evenings and weekends off and plan relaxation time.
I set strict schedules for when I work.
Strong boundaries for weekend personal time. No email checking. Fun trips.
What have you learned the hard way in your career?
Ask A Biologist 9/20/21
I have truly learned the importance of caring for and prioritizing my mental health. I hit a breaking point in graduate school and could not longer ignore the care that my mind and body needed. In the long run, caring for yourself really does pay off.
Answers from Biologists:
My worth
Your career doesn’t have to be your identity. Be a biologist but be yourself.
Working for free isn’t the only way to get a job/experience.
Patience and tenacity are key. Keep moving forward despite the negative in the path.
Conflict resolution skills.
Not knowing an answer and instead researching it is not a sign of weakness.
That in research failure can and should be an option because you can learn just as much.
It’s okay not to know what you’re doing all the time.
Always wear sunscreen.
It can be really hard to find a permanent job, even with a Master’s and lots of experience.
Sexism is still an obstacle for young women in this field.
Be super clear about your boundaries with time.
Burnout happens. You may get shamed for needing time off because “your job is so fun!'“
Your values and ethics don’t always align with the people making the final decisions.
Take pictures, even if what you are doing is “boring” or frustrating. You may want to look back on it or use the photos later.
Being 1st generation student will mean more work but also more appreciation of where you are.
Not everyone will understand what you do and not everyone has to.
Keep healthy boundaries between you and your work.
You will have to fight to show the worth of interdisciplinary science. Still worth it.
Balancing work and school may require time off from one or both for mental health.
Just because your advisor has 20+ years of experience, they should never make you feel less than you are worth.
A good supervisor is worth a few grand a year in salary.
Not everyone has your back. Seek out people who do. Your career will be better.
Help out colleagues with job opportunities if you can.
I’m braver, stronger and more determined than I think.
If I want to have happy colleagues, then I need to eat food.
You might be the only one trying to better the status quo.
Communicate when your mental health is affecting your work.
Set up a Roth IRA and put money in it. Do not rely on agency retirement accounts early in your career.
Imposter syndrome is real. Your opinions are valid so speak up and be present.
Zip off pants are a marsh ecologist’s best friend.
Art and science go great together. Nobody believed me at the beginning.
We all have our own path. Be inspired, not discouraged by those doing the work of your dreams.
What is your favorite ecosystem and why?
Ask A Biologist Monday 9/13/31
Mine is the high desert because of the interesting adaptations required to live at a higher elevation that often experiences drought.
Answers from Biologists:
Kelp forest
Urban ecosystems-the strategies urban-dwelling critters use are fascinating
Temperate rainforests-these forests look like they were pulled right out of a fairytale
Spruce bog in the winter-hard to maneuver but so peaceful and beautiful
Coastal mountain forests-giant trees and beautiful rivers
Temperate rainforests-just because they’re so full of life
Forests-love my trees and the mysteries
Grasslands-the role of bison in grassland ecology is fascinating
Mangroves-no ticks and extraordinarily important carbon sequestering systems
Tundra-harsh, unforgiving environment with beautiful backdrops
Wetland-fascinating diversity and how peaceful they are to explore
Sky Islands-lots of biodiversity and super unique. It’s like an oasis in the sky.
Intertidal zones of the Pacific Northwest-so beautiful and unique
Kelp forests-so diverse and absolutely beautiful
Deep oceans-I love the crazy critters down there.
High alpine-the fragility of the ecosystem and the adaptations it produces
Florida Springs-crystal clear 72 degree F water with unparalleled wildlife
Estuary-so much biodiversity
Redwood forests
Temperate rainforests-cool/misty mornings and amazing flora and fauna
Islands-each one has their own unique character
Pacific Northwest headwater streams-I love the amphibians, closed canopy, and the remoteness.
Euryhaline/brackish water ecosystems
Rivers-they flow through every ecosystem
Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest-all of the lichen and moss and the chance to see a spirit bear
Tropics-high biodiversity
Prairies-most endangered ecosystem, amazing adaptations to survive, crucial to maintaining a healthy climate, world’s largest carbon storage prior to colonization
Midwest forested wetlands-home to all my favorite critters and my master’s research
Rainforest-each species is so brightly colored yet they are perfectly camouflaged
Tide pools-so many fun critters live there and so interesting to see it change with the tides
Canadian boreal forest
High elevation outcrops in the Appalachians-diversity of herpetofauna there is amazing
Coastal dune system-many people don’t realize the necessity of dunes for mainland protection and the plethora of organisms
Edward’s Plateau region in Texas-the spring systems are the heartbeat to the local wildlife and make the whole place thrive
Intertidal areas of the Pacific Northwest-so unique and beautiful and I love seeing all the coastal sculpins
What is your favorite unusual species?
Ask A Biologist Monday 8/30/21
My favorite unusual species is the Quoll. I even named my brand after them! Quolls are a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. There are six species in total. They are primarily nocturnal and spend most of the day in a den.
Quolls eat smaller mammals, small birds, lizards, and insects. Their natural lifespan is between two and five years. All species have drastically declined in numbers since Australasia was colonized by Europeans, with one species, the eastern quoll, becoming extinct on the Australian mainland, now found only in Tasmania. Major threats to their survival include the toxic cane toad, predators such as feral cats and foxes, urban development, and poison baiting. Conservation efforts include breeding programs in captivity, one of which is taking place in Tasmania.
Answers from the Biologists:
Prehensile tailed porcupine
Fly river turtles
Pirate perch
Grasshopper mouse
Bigfin squid
Horseshoe crab
Tuatara
Giraffe weevil
Aye-aye
Kakpo
Silver-baked chevrotain
Pacific lamprey-contrary to popular belief, this is a fish and not an eel
Spotted skunk
Cagou
Woodrats
Roseate spoonbills
Bowfin-unchanged in 100 million years and only extant species in its order.
Fossa
Potoo
Tawny frogmouth
Tie between Pacific lamprey and White sturgeon
Echidna
Lowland streaked tenrec
Ferruginous hawk
Mantis flies
Solifugids
Secretary bird
Minnesota endemic Dwarf trout lily
Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine
Greater glider
Shoebill
Oregon forestsnail
Mud turtles-they have a double hinged shell for complete retraction
American kestrel
Southern cassowary
Red flanked duiker
Hoatzin
Pygmy marmoset
Dhole-they have fused paw pads, adorable family units, and whistle!
Okapi
Eastern whip-poor-will
Ozark hellbender
Saiga antelope-funny looking in a cute way and have a cool ecology
Bolitoglossa salamanders-their little feet!
American paddlefish
Saiga antelope
White-faced ibis
Pronghorn
Kakapo
Caracal
Armadillos (especially the nine-banded)
Deep pitted poacher
Hellbenders
Aye-ayes: cool and creepy
Ringtailed cat
Pine marten
Chuck-will’s-widow
Black-footed ferret
Burton’s legless lizard
Aolotl
Shoebill stork
Satanic nightjars
Great basin toad
Fossa
Cuttlefish
Japanese serow
Wolf eels
Orchid mantis
Razorback sucker
Northern shrike
Describe your job in 10 words or less.
Ask A Biologist Monday 8/23/21
I manage wildlife in the 1836 Treaty land of Michigan.
Answers from Biologists:
Conduct photo ID research on harbor seals and porpoises.
Research endangered Saltmarsh sparrow nesting ecology in marshes in RI.
PhD student researching how bird physiology changes across rural-urban gradients.
Higher education, field and lab research, and undergraduate advising.
Collect water quality. invertebrate, and plant data from wetlands.
Collect long-term open access data for continental scale observatory.
Organize dead things.
Reconnect floodplains and build log homes for fish.
Locate and monitor sensitive wildlife so oil development stays away.
Support federal planning recovery for species at risk.
Study how urban mammals are so successful in cities.
Prescribed fire, monitor many species populations, manage hunts, and more!
Invasive sea lamprey control to protect the Great Lakes.
Roosevelt elk research on Tribal Lands.
Wildlife biologist for an environmental consulting firm in renewable energy.
Conserve and restore federally listed species in the Midwest.
A revolving door of projects. Fish stats, meetings, repeat.
Marine mammal stranding response, research, photo-ID. East coast Florida.
Examining reproductive strategies of white-tailed deer.
Manage natural resources on barrier islands and monitor invasive species.
Work with private landowners to plan conservation practices for wildlife.
Using eDNA and other methods to test climate refugia models.
M.S. in wild turkey ecology and population dynamics.
Helping manage 10,000 acres of state property for wildlife management.
I help partner agencies explain bird conservation to the public.
Investigate bird behavior differences in rainforest and dry forest environments.
Grad student examining ecosystem responses to fire and girdling.
Collect, research, map, and distribute info regarding sensitive species.
Developing a wildlife hazard assessment for AK village airport.
Teach community science techniques to learn about climate change and owls.
Manage visitors, wildlife, and habitat on 113,000 acre forested wetland.
Monitor snowy plovers and least terns.
Make sure birds are not affected by timber harvest.
Restore oyster beds with recycled shells and volunteers.
Study wetland quality in restored agricultural land in Wisconsin.
Armadillo research, take classes, and teach classes.
Monitor birds and wildlife activity in Alberta oilsands.
Provide integrated wildlife management to mitigate wildlife damage.
Soil sample the grasslands of British Columbia.
Manage Pupfish and Topminnow species for recovery.
Why are these trees dying? Oh, it’s salt…probably.
Protect, monitor, and restore marine environments from invasive species introductions.
Manage big game populations in Alaska.
To put it simply, I follow grouse around.
Nationwide endangered species surveys, management plans, and hazardous waste.