Would you like to submit a question to the community of Biologists?
What are your long term career goals?
Ask a Biologist Monday 1/30/23
Answers from Biologists:
Create my own wildlife sanctuary. Already in the process of buying 1000 acres.
Become a wildlife ecologist in conservation.
Start a career in the environment.
Be able to research disease within wildlife populations.
Learn as much as I can, have a diverse experience, and have fun.
Be Nigel Thornberry.
Integrate art with biology to educate and influence a broad audience.
Be part of and see the shift in the field to be more inclusive, supportive, and diverse.
Work in human-wildlife conflict and publish a collection of essays.
No longer work for an abusive boss or in a toxic work environment.
Move into a position that requires less travel so I can have a better work life balance.
Maintain a fieldwork/office balance and help my seasonals achieve their career goals.
PMP certification (project management certification).
Environmental health/public health work in toxicology. Clean air, water, and soil access is important.
Find a job that allows me to be in the field still versus a primarily desk based job.
Used to be academia, but considering the toxicity, not sure at the moment.
Head my own pathology research.
Feel confident in my role and doing my role and doing my part to preserve wild places and animals for the future.
Pioneer a Great Lakes region natural wildlife bridge.
Get back into research.
Carnivore ecologist focusing on human wildlife mitigation. On the right track.
Education director at a nature center.
Educate other biologists/ecologists on the conservation detection dog methodology.
Work with animal ambassadors full time.
Conduct research with management implications (direct impacts on conservation).
Specialize in carnivore ecology and work for state agencies or go the academic route.
Curation and education about biodiversity for generations to come.
Land a job that actually pays the average biologist income advertised in college.
Become a middle school biology teacher and inspire kids to fall in love with biology.
Become proficient in GIS.
Behaviorist at a zoo.
Realize that my job is not my entire identity.
Bring a regionally extirpated species back. Working with a model species now.
Continue in a position where I find purpose in the role and allows stability in my personal life.
End up back in research position studying wetland restoration outcomes.
Contribute to native bee research and insect conservation and be a bee taxonomist.
Develop and invasive species control AI to develop integrate management techniques.
Maintain a better work-life balance so I can enjoy work and personal time without stressing about either.
Have a stable, full time position with a non-profit. Feels like a pipe-dream at this point.
What are your tips/tricks for hygiene in the field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 1/16/23
Answers from Biologists:
Bring a tiny hand sanitizer for the inevitable gas stop. Those pumps are gross.
Wet wipes to freshen up and clean hands before eating.
I carry baby wipes in every field bag and truck.
Travel sized deodorant, bandana for sweat, and always an extra pair of socks.
After not being prepared too many times, I now bring my backpacking poop kit with me just in case.
I love my Kula cloth. It’s nice to have a piece of gear dedicated to keeping a vagina clean and problem free.
Fresh socks and underwear in your field bag.
Pee rag.
Summer’s Eve makes a pH balances wet wipe that comes in individual packages. Better than a baby wipe.
Period underwear is also good for butt sweat or leaks on long day trips.
Hand sanitizer and old washcloth to scrub off salamander slime.
Soap sheets and extra water for grimy hands.
Invest in muck boots or some similar kind of footwear.
Wet wipes. Make sure you bring bags though so you can dispose of them when back in town.
Fresh shoes for the drive back.
Menstrual cups.
Wet wipes. They really help if you spend multiple days in the field.
Bar shampoo in case you find a water source and have a chance to wash up.
Baby powder. Helps with the sweaty bits and greasy hair.
A poop bag with bags and wipes to carry out. The urge can hit anywhere, anytime.
Baby wipes and a life straw water bottle.
Always have a hair brush, tooth brush, face cloth, and deodorant.
Wool felted bar of soap and micro fiber towel. Great for washing hands.
Always bring extra socks.
A hankie instead of tissues. Less chapped nose and no tissue pulp hiding on laundry day.
Rinse field cloths in the shower so your hotel room doesn’t stink by the end of the stint.
Invest in leather gloves and Technu wipes for poison ivy contact.
I always keep toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and deodorant in my backpack.
Swedish dishcloth for body cloth/wipe/towel. Portable and so quick dry.
Toothpaste tabs. Portable, lightweight. There are fluoride or hydroxyapatite versions.
Kula cloth for those who squat to pee.
Cleaning wipes.
I alternate shirts if possible. Air dry them inside out in the sun.
Cowgirl bath: bucket, bar soap, rag and towel. Basically a rag wipe down in the comfort of your tent.
Never wear shoes inside your tent.
Keeping my hair tied into a bun under a hat. Keeps it free from dust/twigs/bugs/webs.
Always extra socks. And liner socks to go with thicker cold weather socks.
Showering as soon as I’m done for the day. Prime time to do a good tick check.
Pouch with every type of charging cable.
If staying in a hotel and tick country, keep your field gear in the tub overnight. Easy to spot them.
Nail brush. The undersides of your nails can get gross fast.
Hand sanitizer is great but doesn’t remove dirt. Bring wet wipes or a wash cloth.
Wool: anti-microbial and insulating against heat and cold.
What are some less known areas/jobs in Biology?
Ask A Biologist Monday 1/9/23
Answers from Biologists:
Installing exotic fly traps into residential areas (city/county job)
County/Township Parks and Recreation
Plant pathology. Working on understanding plant diseases.
Fire ecologist
Collections work in museums
Airport biologist-managing wildlife hazards to planes
Park naturalist
Entomology. Insects are so important and yet tend to get overlooked
Children/teen STEM camps or academic programs/activities
Habitat connectivity
Construction biological monitoring
Environmental education/outreach
Medical entomology
Visitor’s service/hospitality roles
Wildlife genetics
Bioacoustics. Very important and few people know what it is
Conservation dog work/sample collection
Consulting
Wildlife biology artists. Someone’s got to make those figures/diagrams/infrographics!
Human dimensions-the human side of human wildlife conflict
Natural resource planner. Mix of biology/ecology/environmental science
Rangeland ecology/management
Molecular ecology
Agriculture. State government runs working research farms with biologists and environmental scientists.
Wildlife forensics
Biosecurity officers
State DOTs need biologists to ensure projects comply with environmental laws.
Research in wild rodents in contrast to lab mice.
Rangeland ecology-plants, wildlife, fire, and agriculture
Biologist for the military. Most bases have full time biologists.
Apiculture-beekeeping
Land trusts-both national and state levels
Where is your favorite place that you’ve worked?
Ask a Biologist Monday 1/2/23
Answers from Biologists:
Juneau, AK
The Jones Center at Ichauway. Always really interesting research happening and fun teams.
National Park Service-Wildlife Health Branch.
Huron mountains in the Upper Peninsula of MI.
California R5 - LA and Orange county.
The Upper Peninsula of MI doing Wood Turtle research.
Espanola Island, Galapagos.
Baxter State Park - Katahdin is magic and being a backcountry ranger is still my favorite job ever.
New Mexico Environment Dept. Unionized.
Southern Sierra Nevadas.
Salmon, ID. Most magical place.
Had the luck to work in the Galapagos. Every biologist’s dream.
All the places. They’re all beautiful in their own way.
Wyoming Game and Fish in Lander, WY.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Midway Atoll.
Tongass National Forest, AK.
St. Christopher Camp in Johns Island, SC.
Bhanga Nek in South Africa.
Tennessee State Parks. Fun, rewarding, with a lot of biology/ecology/wildlife connections.
Kenya.
Missouri Ozarks.
The Bronx River.
Colorado River in Glen Canyon.
Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.
Pecos Wilderness, New Mexico.
Great Smokey Mountains, National Park.
Eastern Egg Rock, ME. A small 7-acre island thriving with seabirds.
Bialowieza National Park in Poland, before they started cutting down old growth trees.
West Maui Mountains.
Pisgah National Forest, NC.
Prince William Sound-Cordova, AK.
Pribilof Islands, AK.
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community has been by far the best place to work.
Wood Tikchik State Park, Alaska.
Oklahoma panhandle.
Umpqua National Forest in OR so far. Great staff and fun surveys.
Bird Island, South Georgia.
Tuscarora State Forest, PA.
Sekiu, WA. Nestled right on the northern side of Olympic National Park.
Devil’s Punchbowl, California.
Southeastern AS. Biodiversity hotspot.
Liberia.
Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada.
Waterton Lakes National Park.
Chugach National Forest.
What are you looking forward to at work next year?
Ask a Biologist Monday 12/26/22
Answers from Biologists:
Helping catch, breed and stock Muskie for the first time.
Feeling more confident in the field.
Just graduated undergrad and I’m starting my first job in January.
Deploying radiocollars on bison.
Submitting my thesis.
Finishing my master’s degree.
Working as a fisheries observer in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
Remote salmon hatchery work in Alaska.
Starting my thesis project.
Hopefully finding a job.
Starting my master’s.
Learning to set up hair snare traps for bears.
Surveying peat bogs in spring. Can’t wait to see everything come alive.
Finding the right job.
Surviving this PhD.
Doing bird banding for the first time.
My first gig post grad school.
Banding for the first time and dong more in depth ARU work.
Finding grant funding for a bit wetland restoration project.
Finishing the 12 month probationary period in my new permanent position.
Getting my bachelor’s.
Planning a water science STEMinist summer camp for middle and high school girls.
Taking the next step for my career (PdD or job, undecided).
Getting green macaw conservation led by local communities in Costa Rica.
Not stressing about things that don’t need stressing.
Fighting for fair pay within our field.
My first official job as a wildlife tech after graduating.
Working on Artic fox population dynamics in Alaska.
Hopefully finding a full time job in my field.
Starting my field work for my MS.
Spending the summer surveying mussels in the beautiful Grand River watershed.
Achieving a real job as a conservation biologist.
Exploring and documenting the flora and fauna of a new area.
Offshore fisheries sampling in the Atlantic.
Finishing my PhD (fingers crossed).
Doing black bear den checks for the first time.
What accomplishments are you most proud of this year?
Ask A Biologist Monday 12/19/22
Answers from Biologists:
Getting mental health care to support myself through another field season of lay-offs.
Passing my exam to become a certified malacologist.
Finally getting a job with a healthy work life balance.
Finding the darted elk, hobbling and blindfolding her alone after everyone else had given up.
To have grown so much in my field as someone young. I started from zero and learned a lot in 2 years.
Quitting my job.
I went back to work after being a stay at home mom for over 2 years and overcame imposter syndrome.
Getting a permanent conservation job that I can mold around my skills.
Got a permanent job working with Red-cockaded woodpeckers, a species I’ve loved since I was a kid.
Opening up about being an autistic biologist. Bonus, everyone has been supportive.
Finally landing a permanent wildlife biologist gig.
Getting accepted in a PhD program with a full scholarship.
Getting promoted to head biologist of my department.
Deciding to leave an unhealthy position for my dream job even though it’s scary.
Passed my PhD candidacy exam.
Doing my first poster presentations and getting a lot of good data in my project.
Landing a permanent position right out of undergrad.
Leaving a graduate program that was not serving me.
Negotiated higher pay for a job. I came with statistics from the Dept. of Labor.
Graduating and getting a job with USFWS.
Just surviving a department it feels like leadership is trying to destroy.
Starting grad school while working full time.
First “Wildlife Biologist” job title and worked with many new protected/endangered species.
Some promising results that came out of my work.
Challenging management on the way women and minorities are repeatedly under classified here.
Taking complete control of my business after years of not believing in myself.
Finally graduated with my degree, moved to a new country, and now ready to learn again.
Getting a non-timber project implemented.
Applied to NSERC and Fullbright.
Accepted my first permanent wildlife job.
Getting my first longish term job being a research tech.
Getting a new job in a better department. Cheers to being a field biologist again.
Getting the ball rolling to change up the general Bio I lab curriculum where I teach.
Saying no to some workgroups and projects in order to protect my time.
Writing 2 of 3 chapters of my thesis proposal.
Starting my own nature camp for kids.
Having an old supervisor tell me what I good job I did under him.
Making it through the year.
Not accepting a job offer with insultingly low pay. I know my worth.
Getting my first permanent job after 10+ years of being a seasonal.
Getting hired with enough of a wage to pay off my MS degree and feel financially safe.
Starting my PhD and getting back into the research world.
Setting up my dissertation project from scratch.
Getting my first banding job after applying to so many. Persistence and effort are key.
Quitting the biology field. Wasn’t good for my mental health.
Quitting a telemetry project because I was overly stressed and felt scarred.
Defended my MFin thesis.
Finding a balance between personal life and school/work life.
Made my first poster and got into grad school.
Boundaries. Leaving a job that I can’t perform without losing the boundaries I need to have.
Being given solo projects and exceeding my own expectations of how they’d turn out.
All chapters are published. Goodbye grad school.
Surviving.
Moving across the country to start the grad school project of my dreams (that I funded myself).
Made a big move for a calmer salary job with PTO after hourly jobs for years with heavy fieldwork.
Got a permanent scientist position with WDNR.
Winning my GRF and leading a research project in another country.
Getting results for my thesis and making progress writing it up.
Surviving a rapidly changing PI and lab dynamic.
Got a permanent biologist job for the state.
Attending my first conference as a professional and giving a presentation.
Graduated with my bachelor’s and am getting into grad school after a gap year of bad health.
Getting a big grant and record nest numbers.
What makes someone an exceptional Biologist?
Ask A Biologist Monday 12/12/22
Answers from Biologists:
Willingness to learn and reassess as new information emerges.
Good problem-solving, whether that means working out study design or getting a truck running.
They are open to new ideas.
Good interpersonal skills in addition to their technical skills.
Staying clear-headed in hazardous or unpredictable situations.
Humility and a continued willingness to learn.
Being responsible about the impact their research has on species and ecosystems.
Being able to work with locals/engaging the community with their local environment.
Appreciates diverse backgrounds/experience. Doesn’t only respect degrees and titles.
A collaborative attitude is needed to be able to come to the table of sustainability.
Patience and encouragement for new hires and advocacy for better conditions.
Curiosity and making connections (with people and concepts).
In animal care, it’s noticing when something isn’t right or an animal is behaving off, and doing something about it.
Mentoring early career biologists and technicians.
They value the welfare of their employees/crew and study species above any data.
Passion for the work, but also compassion for the people doing the work.
Valuing the knowledge/needs of all stakeholders including local and Indigenous people.
Good organizational skills. Field work gets messy and it’s easy to forget important things.
Being honest about what you don’t know and trying to learn/research more about it.
Taking advice and constructive criticism seriously and being a good communicator.
Enthusiasm. When someone is deeply passionate, it really shows.
Excellent communication skills.
The ability to connect a single piece in the puzzle to the greater picture.
Being able to set boundaries and prioritize.
Open to new and changing methods.
Integrity and curiosity.
People skills. Just as important as passion!
What’s one thing you wish you could change about this field?
Ask a Biologist Monday 12/5/22
Answers from Biologists:
Chances for promotions/raises.
Diversity in leadership/staff.
Hazard pay for all the crazy scenarios we deal with.
Pay.
Old, white boy’s club at field stations that leads to lack of diversity.
An international union so we would have the power to fight for fair pay.
More diverse and inclusive workplaces.
To be close to my support system. Remote work can really take it out of you.
The pay and passion exploitation. It can be difficult to stay motivated to succeed.
Feeling like you always have to prove yourself even when you’re qualified.
Increased representation of people of color especially African American.
Hustle culture. Love my job but I want time to do other things.
The barriers to getting started and getting a permanent job.
Expectation of long hours with no compensation.
Egotistical supervisors.
Poor work life balance.
Ease of accessibility for getting into the field. There are so many barriers.
More government funding for management and conservation (would also result in better pay).
Good ole boys club.
Make it more safe for BIPOC in the field.
The pay. Most of my state agency are massively underpaid.
Lack of funding.
Make it more accessible for people of all backgrounds.
The gatekeeping.
Being expected to move constantly for seasonal work or any permanent job or promotion.
Having a secure job for more than 3 months at a time.
Able to get permanent work earlier in your career.
Pay.
Not having to move and sacrifice our lives.
The hours and the pay.
The idea that you’re not allowed to do anything else or take time off.
More jobs for those who can’t drive due to a disability.
Time and budget constraints.
Expectation to sacrifice personal life to do remote work.
Overwork. Hire more staff and pay them right. People need breaks.
Egos and territorial nature of biologists with their study species.
Proper gear provided by the employer.
Field vehicles that fit petite people properly. I hate being the only one with a booster.
All around consistency. Opportunities, pay, schedules, etc.
Better funded.
More accessible entry level positions.
Greater diversity.
Good healthcare. We put our bodies through so much in the field, but rarely have insurance to take care of ourselves.
Looking down on people trying to enter the field who didn’t grow up in the outdoors.
Glorified grind culture and work to be done on your own time/dime.
So much focus on game species. Nongame species need funding too.
Having decent housing for techs.
Dependable, safe vehicles.
Safer for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+.
The expectation that we have to wear many hats to accomplish conservation goals.
Living wage.
The lack of mentorship due to aggressive gatekeeping.
More straightforward career path.
Increased unions.
Access to numerous jobs within all states.
The toxicity of academia.
The racist, exclusionary and Eurocentric view of conservation.
A living wage.
Queer representation and all representation for that matter.
More permanent job opportunities.
The competitive working mentality. Working more hours isn’t a bragging point. It’s a problem.
Fieldwork more focused on the wildlife and not just managing the people around wildlife.
How difficult/competitive it is to get a permanent job.
More respect for work life balance.
So many old men in power.
Job opportunities.
Easier funding of research.
More permanent jobs.
Better funding overall.
What’s you favorite piece of winter field gear?
Ask a Biologist Monday 11/29/22
Answers from Biologists:
Thermos full of warm tea
Stick on foot warmers. Hot hands brand.
Hats (always) and buffs
Boot dryer
Silk neck scarf. They are enough as a single layer in -25 F to keep your neck warm.
Zippo reusable hand warmers. They last 12 hours and use lighter fluid.
Carhartt hoodie and beanie.
A pair of truck slippers. Warm and dry slippers for a ride home post field visit.
Wool headband. Hair can be out of the way but still warm.
Rechargeable electric hand warmers. Some can double as a cell phone charger.
Carhartt coveralls.
Insulated coveralls.
Insulated bibs/overalls.
Some type/blend of wool base layers.
Thermals. I wear a full thermal suit under my clothes.
Turtle fur fleece neck gaiter.
Merino wool base layer.
Soup thermos. Best lunch.
Wool socks.
Brimmed winter hat. Great combo of baseball cap and warmth.
Fleece lined leggings as a base layer.
A good neck buff.
Australian UGGs. Field worthy and fashionable.
Microfleece Rab thermal onesie baselayer.
Crampons for icy days.
Sleeping bag + bivvy bag + flask of tea.
Hydra flask.
Waterproof dry bag to keep extra socks/layers dry.
Warm and dry shoes/slippers to put on immediately after working in the cold.
DSG cold weather tech pants.
Lined leather work gloves.
Warm socks.
Merino headband to layer with a hat for double ear protection.
Chargeable hand warmers.
Wool under layers.
Face ski mask.
My pink rainbow tie dye snowsuit.
Sturdy well-fitting pair of knee-high rubber boots.
Merino wool socks.
Wool gloves.
Mittens. Way warmer than regular gloves.
Fleece neck gaiter.
Neos boot covers to keep feet dry.
Insulated bibs.
The heater in my truck.
Wool balaclava.
A piece of paper towel on the inside of a fleece buff to keep it dry.
Wool socks.
Fingerless gloves/mittens.
Steger Mukluks are unbeatable.
Fleece lined field pants.
Grundens Maris women’s leggings.
What's something in your career you're proud of?
Ask a Biologist Monday 11/22/22
Improving wildlife habitat that would otherwise disappear/educating private landowners.
I was awarded “Educator of the Year” by the state fish and wildlife agency for the outeach that I do.
The next generation of biologists, seeing them fight for diversity/inclusivity.
I made a pretty pink poster that's also informative!
My undergraduates.
Normalizing women being in STEM for my son and everyone.
The number of biologists who started out their careers as part of my team.
Being the first to introduce a rare native plant successfully in an entire mountain range.
Fighting for equality in this field.
Disentangling many birds and sea life from marine debris.
Being a relentless advocate for myself and other LGBTQ+ people in a mainly cis male workplace.
Being a mom and scientist all at once.
Going from barely passing highschool to now almost being done with my PhD.
Pushing through all those times I wanted to give up to finally getting a permanent job this year.
Applied ecology that can genuinely make a difference in forming policy.
Helping people of all backgrounds see how important snakes are, even the venomous ones.
Sending my first manuscript for publishing in a small journal.
Getting a permanent job.
Representation as an Asian lesbian in Conservation.
Going from barely passing highschool to publishing 2 papers in the first year of my MS.
Finding a work life balance despite the pressures not to.
Have you ever had a “close call/near miss” in the field?
Ask a Biologist Monday 11/14/22
Answers from Biologists:
Had several close calls with rattlesnakes in Southern California on spotted owl night surveys.
A new field tech though that charging the bear that was charging us was smart.
Saved a coworker from falling off a zodiac into some rocky wash.
While we were pulling samples 5 miles offshore in a boat, a coworker fell overboard. Wear your lifejacket!
Being towed behind a boat surveying and almost being decapitated by a tourist jet ski.
Running into an hours old litter of feral piglets in a coconut forest in Guam.
Mostly too hot or too cold near misses.
Caught in a tiny boat in a big storm.
Dead tree fell and hit my car while I was driving back from my last day of a 2 year field stint.
While pulling mountain lion cubs from a den, mom’s VHF signal was lost as she was heading back to us.
Worked as a wildland firefighter. My crew made a bad call my rookie year and shit got very rowdy.
Stepped on some vegetation covering a deep crevice and fell in to my hip. Luckily I didn’t dislocate my knee/leg.
Almost got heat stroke a couple of times.
Altitude sickness on a mountain. Throwing up and almost falling over the whole way back to my truck. My colleague carried me part of the way.
Almost sat on a juvenile Fer-d-lance in the Choco rainforest.
Got attacked by a wild turkey during fieldwork and chased for 400 meters.
My leg got caught in a trawl rope as we were sending a net out.
Got a concussion from a bear trap closing on the back of my head.
Stepped on a ground hive. Took 5 to the face. Hives, dizziness, 2 miles from the truck.
Mist netting for bats and we spooked a young cougar. 7 miles back at night was fun!
A colleague tore a muscle in the backcountry. Has to hike them and their gear out.
Assessing tree risk, many high risk trees felt a good time to fall was during their assessments.
Heat exhaustion alone in the field, almost too far from my truck that has AC and water. Could barely move.
I slipped on a rock in Gran Canaria while sampling shearwater nests. Nearly fell from the cliff to the sea.
Two wildfires erupted on either side of us and we had to run and drive for our lives.
An e-break slipped and truck rolled backwards over me as I was releasing fish into a river.
Harp net trapping a hibernaculum. Large tree fell where we planned on setting up.
Storm surge flooded our coastal AK field camp with 5 feet of water. We had 30 minutes notice.
Didn’t secure the truck door during high winds. Ended up cutting my head pretty badly while solo.
Confronted by armed pot grower on public land, ran for my life.
Charged by a cow moose while tracking chipmunks.
Sprayed both my tech and myself with poorly stashed bear spray from our pack.
Had a close encounter with a mountain lion (<6 feet away) during a spotted owl survey.
Ran out of gas in the helicopter up a remote inlet on the BC coast. Managed to land it by the water.
Stalked by a cougar doing an exit count-horses chased it off.
Escaped a flash flood in the aptly named Box-Death Hollow Wilderness while backpack electrofishing.
Stalked and harassed for 3 months by local “sportsmen’s” group for conducting whitetail research.
Accidentally stepped 6 inches in front of the nose of a 5.5 foot rattlesnake.
Chased by an aggressive western capercaillie (grouse) male through the woods.
Accidentally got too close to a calf in the field and mama cow chased me into the woods.
Surveying for barred owl. Ducked instinctively and one flew inches over my head.
3 hurricanes coming for our remote field site at once. Resulted in an emergency evacuation from the navy.
Me and my field partner were stalked by a black bear and didn’t know until it was right behind us.
Went to tube a western diamondback rattlesnake and the tube snapped.
First tech job. Allergic reaction to reed canary grass. Went into anaphylaxis. Middle of nowhere.
Stepped on a hibernating black bear (broke through snow).
A mother black bear charged my field assistant and I while we were doing bird surveys in Oklahoma.
Tripped in the middle of an elephant seal harem, got charged.
Held at gunpoint twice in less than 24 hours. First was at a BLM gate, second was my camp.
Coworker forgot to put work rig in park on a mountain road and I almost got stuck going down with the rig.
While surveying bird nests in AK, grizzly bear came within 20 meters of us.
Used too small of a bag to weigh a copperhead. Went to tie the knot and its head popped out next to my hand.
Checking bird burrows on Kaua’i, the ground gave out and I rolled downhill 15 feet and caught myself on a tree.
After a storm, a tree limb fell close to me and came close to hitting me on the head.
Almost got our truck pushed off the mountain by an enormous tanker truck barreling down.
Got stung in the face by a jellyfish while diving to collect critters for experiments.
Reaching over a log into lantana to collect a test nest, a small-eyed snake jumped out.
Left alone and my GPS unit quit working. Was familiar enough with the area that I didn’t get lost.
My partner sprayed bear spray in his eyes, and hour and a half drive from the nearest hospital.
Tanker ship generated ‘mini-tsunami’ while standing in the marsh in waders.
Stepped on a fat rattlesnake (it was fine).
Dime sized hail and lightning too close for comfort while hiking down a mountain.
3 different tick-borne illnesses including exposure to Lyme. On antibiotics for 6 weeks total.
Weeks later checking trail cam photos, I saw a puma had “joined” me on a night walk.
Almost getting run down by a bull moose in WY while doing radio telemetry on roads.
Netting bats last summer and startled a sleeping moose 2 feet from me.
Giant bullet ant flew into my field kitchen. Almost got bitten-they can put you in a coma.
Almost losing a coworker in the field. Always bring a radio.
Bear walked right past me while checking trail cameras.
A couple close calls with vehicle accidents with all the driving on rough mountain roads.
Shot at by private landowner while on adjacent public land tracking bats.
Rattlesnakes in my small mammal traps in SE AZ.
I got caught in quicksand.
Got struck by lighting at our field station. Still have the scar where I saw the spark go in.
Vehicle shot at while pheasant stocking.
Passing truck shattered the driver side window. Glass went flying everywhere.
A feral bull snuck up on me. We were both surprised by the bull’s reaction was much scarier.
Climbing up a 15 foot high rock wall. Tiny cactus invisible in handhold. Almost fell off high rock wall.
Picked the wrong size tube so a copperhead turned around to strike while we were tagging her.
Locals pulling a gun on us while spotlighting mule deer.
Chased off moose with a chainsaw that was bellowing at us.
Very close lightning strikes, on the metal boat, on open water.
Rolled my ATC over my head. Thankfully I was wearing a helmet.
Snake bite sent me to the hospital. So painful. Still permanently swollen.
Nearly got bitten when tagging a seal. They’re strong.
Almost drowned in a marsh while radio tracking turtles. Managed to haul myself onto a cattail mat.
Toxic coworker “forgot” to pick me up at the meeting point during a thunderstorm. Hitched back.
Got stung by several yellow jackers and had an allergic reaction.
Almost sat on a timber rattlesnake.
Came face to face with the camp elephant in Kenya and was not expecting it.
Falling off cliffs, scratched by a mountain lion, almost struck by lightning.
Lost in the woods, carrying a bag of neonate EDB rattlesnakes, trip and nearly land on them.
VHF malfunction led to us running into a momma mountain lion with her kittens on a kill.
Almost stepped on a small rattlesnake buried under sand on the way to a pre-dawn survey.
Nearly got bit by a few snapping turtles when releasing them in the rain.
Been stuck caught on the water in some sketchy out of nowhere thunderstorms.
Trapped in a thunderstorm in a salt marsh in a metal canoe during a terrapin survey.
After emergency surgery on a 3 yr old cougar, he started waking up faster than anticipated.
Struck by a rattlesnake. Luckily it only hit my jeans.
Being shot at by angry land owners while bat netting (we had permission to be there).
Briefly kidnapped by a sturgeon poacher. Successfully negotiated my release.
Nearly sat on an 8 foot boa at night.
Crossed a river in front of a female leopard without even realizing it.
Many close calls with great basin rattlesnakes in NV. One almost got stuck in a live trap meant for rabbits.
Flipping rocks in a stream for salamanders. Almost flipped a coiled timber rattlesnake.
Came face to face with a cougar my first day of my first field job.
Standing on a boulder during a veg survey, didn’t realize there was a skunk right below me.
Charged by a cow moose while I worked up her calf.
Deliberately shot at in the forest while conducting spotted owl surveys in Oregon.
Almost slid into a wetland because of a massive hole I couldn’t see in the dark when I pulled onto the shoulder.
A salamander escaped my grasp and I am confident it was undescribed in Western science.
Was struck by a rattlesnake. Thank god I was wearing snake guards so I was unharmed.
Charged by a momma moose while I was tracking her to get a visual on the calf.
First tech job with salmon in Alaska. Fell off the boat on the last day of work.
Stand off with a feral stallion when I stumbled between him and his mares.
Almost shot by an angry neighboring landowner.
Trapped in a lightning storm and had to lie down in a field. Survived the storm but covered in ticks.
While looking for Ozark big-eared bats, walked in on a sleeping mountain lion.
A deer chased by a wolf ran past me in the field.
While cutting loosetrife in a ditch a car ran off the road and came barreling down the ditch.
What are your conference tips?
Ask a Biologist Monday 11/7/22
Don't be afraid to break away from your group.
It's okay to take time to yourself. If you need time alone, take it.
Bring a thermos for coffee.
Meet people on Instagram beforehand and then in real life!
Step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to researchers you want to meet.
Join committees.
Limit yourself to one drink or just don't drink at all.
Take notes and include the names of presenters in them.
Have snacks and instant coffee/tea in your bag.
Bring a backpack or big shoulder back full of supplies for the day.
Skip sessions here and there and take strategic naps. Pace yourself for the learning and friendship building.
Don't feel like you have to go out and party at nights or stay out late.
Don't be afraid to just introduce yourself.
Bring snacks.
Ask locals for recommendations on restaurants and sights.
Lean on students for networking just as much as professionals. Peer references are valuable.
Comfortable walking shoes.
Explore the area!
Make friends with those who have a rental car.
Networking is scary for everyone so take advantage of relaxed moments and spaces.
Don't drink too much.
Take time to explore the city away from the conference. It helps with burnout.
Store your business cards behind your name tag in the little plastic pouch.
Pace yourself so you don't get drained too soon.
Intentionally schedule in self care/down time. Conference burn out is real.
Take breaks, especially at big conferences. You don't need to attend every session.
Plan your day to day schedule before you arrive.
Wear a mask. Conferences are super spreader events.
What did you study in school/get your degree(s) in?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/24/22
Answers from Biologists:
BS Conservation and wildlife bio, animal health, molecular bio. MS Conservation bio.
BS in zoology, Minor in Evolution Ecology. MS Environmental Studies.
AS Environmental studies. AAS Natural resources conservation. BT Wildlife management.
BS Soil and Environmental Science with a GIS certificate. MS Water Resources.
BS in Environmental Biosciences and working on an MS in Environmental Sciences.
BS Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences + Forest Ecology.
MS of Natural Resources (non-thesis).
BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology.
BS in Biology and Animal Behavior. MA in Ecology and Environmental Science.
BS Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. MS Forestry and Natural Resources.
BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. MS and PhD in Wildlife Management.
BS in Wildlife: Conservation Biology and Applied Vertebrate Ecology.
BS in Environmental Science. MS in Wildlife.
BS, MS, and PhD in Biology (PhD had an Ecology/Evolution focus).
BS in Geography, Minor in Biology.
BS in Biology. MS in Wildlife Ecology.
BS in Wildlife Biology. Working on an MS in Biology (Ecology and Evolution emphasis).
BS in Wildlife Management. MS in Wildlife Health.
BS in Wildlife Conservation and MS in Wildlife Biology.
BS Conservation Biology and working on MS in Raptor Biology.
BS in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (with an emphasis on Wildlife).
BS Zoology. BS Fisheries and wildlife. Working on an MS in Wildlife Sciences.
BS in Wildlife Biology. Working on an MS in Evolutionary Biology.
BSc in Biomedical Biology and MSc in Forestry. Super not traditional, but I still made it!
BS in Zoology.
BS in Geography. MS in Biological Sciences.
BS in Environmental Science/Biology. M Engineering in Civil Engineering-Water Resources.
BA in Biology and Environmental Studies. MS in Environmental Biology.
BS Wildlife Science. MS Zoology, emphasis is Aquatic Ecology.
BA in Environmental Studies with Conservation Bio focus. MS in Zoology.
BS Zoology. MS Wildlife Ecology. Working on a PhD in Natural Resources.
BS Zoology. MS Biology, Conservation Emphasis.
BS Environmental Science and Society, Zoology minor. MS Ecology and Evolution.
BS in Biological Sciences with focus on Ecology.
BS Biological Sciences. MS Biology. PhD Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
BS General Studies and Conservation Biology.
BS in Biology and Wildlife Ecology. Working on MS in Natural Resources.
BS in Wildlife ecology and management, minor in water resources/biology. MSc in Natural Resources Management.
BS Wildlife Bio, Minors in GIS and Wetlands. Getting MS in Renewable Natural Resources.
BS Environmental Science, freshwater, and terrestrial ecology. Working on and MS in Fisheries.
HBSc in Oenology and Viticulture. Now doing a diploma in Fish and wildlife.
BS in Wildlife Biology. MS in Biology. Working on a PhD in Marine Biology.
BS in Psychology. MS in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology.
BS Environmental Science. MS Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences.
BS in Fisheries and Wildlife. MS in Wildlife Ecology.
BS Biology with concentration in Wildlife Biology and Conservation.
BS in Biology, concentration in cell/molecular biology).
BS in Geography and Environmental science, with a certificate in GIS.
BS in Biology with and emphasis on Ecology and Biodiversity.
BA Geography (I had to work my butt off doing seasonal/on-call gigs to make up for it).
BS in Wildlife ecology, minor in Political Science.
BS in Biology.
BSc Biology, concentration in Neurobiology, Minor in Kinesiology.
BSc in Environmental and Resource Science.
BS Biology with concentration in Zoology, Minor in Psychology.
BS Environmental Science and Policy, Minor in Biology.
BS Wildlife Ecology. MS Environmental science and Political Science.
BS in Journalism and Environmental Science. MS in Environmental Science.
BS Wildlife Conservation. MS Climate change managing the marine environment.
BS Wildlife and Fisheries. MEnS-Master of Environmental Science.
BS Biology with an Ecology focus.
BS Wildlife and Fisheries Science. MS in Range and Wildlife Management.
BS in Zoology. Working on MS in Biology.
BS Biology with animal behavior concentration (allowed me to take ecology and conservation courses).
BA in English, minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. MS in Environmental Science.
BS in Wildlife and Fisheries. MS in Wildlife Resources. PhD in Forest Resources.
BS in Biology.
BSc in Biology and diploma in Fish and Wildlife.
BS and MS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science.
BSc and MSc in Agricultural Sciences. Now doing a PhD in Molecular Zoology.
BA in Biology and French.
BS Ecology. MS Fisheries and Aquatic Science.
AA in Business. BS in Wildlife and Conservation. Currently getting an MS in Biological Sciences.
BS in Wildlife Resources. MNR (Master of Natural Resources).
BS in Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, with a specialty in forest and wildlife management.
BT in Wildlife Management.
BS in Biology and Environmental Science. Currently doing my PhD in Marine Biology.
BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, concentration on Fish Biology.
BS in Wildlife Management and Conservation.
BS in Biology. Currently working on an MS in Biology-Avian Ecology.
BS in Environmental Science, focus in Conservation Ecology.
BS in Wildlife Conservation.
BS in Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology.
BS in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity. Working on MS in Wildlife and Fisheries.
BS in Fisheries Conservation. Working on MS in Biology with and Aquatic Conservation focus.
BS in Natural Resources Management.
AS in Science. BS in Biology, Minor in Wildlife Ecology. Going back for an MS in Molecular Medicine.
BS in Biology. MS in Plant Science. Working on PhD in Biological Science (insect taxonomist).
BS in Biochemistry. MS in Plant Pathology.
BS in Marine Biology. PhD in Integrative Biology.
BS Biology. BA English. BAS Wildlife Biology. MS Wildlife Ecology.
BA in History. MS in Natural Resources Management (Huge career change!).
BS in Biology. MS in Northern Ecosystems.
BA in English, Psychology, and Ecology/Evolutionary Biology. Currently working on an MS.
BS Biology. MNR-Master’s of Natural Resources. PhD Natural Resources, Wildlife Science.
BS in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology.
BS in Ecology and Environmental Biology. MS in Natural Resources Management.
BS in Biology with and Ecology/Evolution and Conservation focus. MS in Ecology.
BS in Communications and Journalism. MS in Environmental Science and Policy.
BS in Integrative Animal Biology. Grad Certificate in Wildlife Management.
BA in Biology with concentration in Ecology, Animal Behavior, and Evolution.
BSc in Environmental Science. MSc Conservation Biology.
BA Biology. MS Ecology.
MS in Zoology. MS in Environmental Management (Policy).
Dual BS in Environmental Science and Biology. MS in Renewable Natural Resources, concentration in Wildlife Biology.
BS in Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation.
BA in Integrated Biology. BS in Molecular Environmental Biology.
BS in Wildlife Ecology with emphasis on Natural Resources.
BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Science.
BS in Environmental management and Wildlife biology.
BS in Environmental Science and Natural Resources.
BSc in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology.
BSFR in Fisheries and Wildlife. MNR (Master of Natural Resources).
BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. MS in Environmental Science.
BS in Fisheries and Wildlife.
BS Wildlife Ecology and Management. MS Environmental Science/Ecological Restoration.
BSc Conservation and Wildlife Biology. BSc (Honors) Environmental Science.
BS in Wildlife Science. BA in English.
BS Environmental Science and Management, with a focus in Ecological Restoration.
BA in Psychology. BS in Animal Behavior, minor in Biology. PhD in Biology.
BS in Fisheries and Wildlife. MS in Veterinary Science focused on wildlife epidemiology.
BS in Environmental Biology. MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources.
BS in Wildlife Science.
BS in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
BS in Zoology and Botany. MS in Ecology.
BS in Biology. MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.
BS in Wildlife Management (went Environmental science to Wildlife biology to Wildlife management). MS Conservation Bio.
What’s a work-related thing that you stress out about?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/17/22
Answers from Biologists:
Imposter syndrome
Giving presentations.
Giving my techs fair time off amidst chaotic conditions.
I’ve been out of the field for 3 months and I’m still having stress dreams about if I left a mist net up.
Am I doing enough?
Being sure the boat plug was in place after launching.
Meetings: Will I be talked over? Will there be drama after?
Scheduling volunteer events and committees as a junior biologist that can’t say no.
Did I turn off the water? (animal care turtles and frogs)
Did I lock the enclosure?
Safety in the field as a woman.
Making sure my field workplaces are safe and equitable for all.
Someone getting hurt on my watch during field season.
Making sure to do thorough decontamination of equipment and shoes.
Plant phenology as a biologist who does native seed conservation.
Spending my days off stressing about work issues.
Grants.
Trap checks. Making sure I check and close/remove all traps.
Mice potentially escaping before I can get all their measurements.
Getting back to people in a timely manner when I’m in the thick of field season.
An entire season of negative detections. Are they not here or are my traps not working?
Getting the ATV stuck.
Sending emails. Should be simple, but man can it be stressful.
Funding.
Who did I accidentally leave on “read” today?
Will I ever feel like I know what I’m doing?
Packing for hitches.
Facilitating meetings.
Did I lock the office door at the end of the day?
Getting the truck stuck.
My samples getting lost/delayed in the mail.
Statistics.
Forgetting a deadline.
Having to pee in the middle of a telemetry flight.
That my data is clean and techniques are sound (especially in GIS).
Are the techs going to break/lose everything if I take a a day off?
Being able to retire after years of seasonal work without 401ks and whole career of being underpaid.
Did I spellcheck before sending out my report.
Not being taken seriously as a woman/minority.
Remembering to close all the fences behind me (or leave them open if they were open).
Forgetting to set the telemetry receiver correctly before I take off in the helicopter.
Getting injured in the middle of field season.
DNA degradation during the shipping journey to the diagnostics lab.
Applying to jobs every 3-6 months.
Not giving enough attention to my friends and family back home while I’m on a field job.
Being physically capable to handle my job. I’m usually around very fit people.
Getting your truck stuck where there is not service.
Did I bring the keys for the camera traps? Did I leave the keys for the locks at the camera?
Forgetting an essential piece of field gear.
Gathering data while I’m in school.
What's your go to activity to stay happy when you're away from home for work?
Answers from Biologists:
Art art art. And hiking with friends.
Trying the local food.
Even cheap hotels usually have a pool/hot tub-soaking sore muscles and reading.
Have a fun book to keep busy during down time.
I try to have a hobby that I can take with me.
Visit a local coffee shop or brewery.
Rock climbing. Can't think about work when I'm on the rocks.
Find local trails to walk on.
Go birding.
Nature photography on nice days and reading my Kindle on rainy ones.
Buying groceries I love. No use hoarding the per diem.
Being in nature but shutting off my Biologist brain.
Using the opportunity to have long phone calls with family and friends.
Find a good local restaurant to try.
I try to track down postcards/art galleries to send my family/friends items from my work travels.
Journaling.
Bringing my hammock (with a bug net) and finding a nice quiet place to read.
Field water colors
Photography
I run, spend time with my friends, community in the community. I'm so much more than my job.
Coffee and a book. And taking lots of pictures of plants.
Birdwatching.
What is one thing you wish you could change about the field of Biology?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/3/22
Answers from Biologists:
I wish there was a bigger emphasis on safety and well-being in fieldwork jobs.
How every job needs experience or a master’s degree but doesn’t pay livable wage.
Gatekeeping. No academic, you don’t have exclusive rights to a target species.
That people would value our work more. We all work hard and should be compensated for it.
Misogynistic attitudes and gatekeeping in academia and biology-focused agencies.
Fanaticism. It’s the end of critical thinking.
The vicious cycle of needing experience to get experience.
Job availability/stability. So hard to find a job to live off of.
More emphasis on how research can be applied on the ground vs. just stating the issues.
Better pay and more jobs. It sucks to have seasoned techs waiting years for vacancies in permanent spots.
The idea that we HAVE to leave our partners or family to have a successful field career.
The egos and treatment of people, especially in the carnivore world.
Have more pay, year round, entry level positions at a living wage.
Fieldwork that requires you to leave your entire home life and be grateful for it.
The pay. Besides being more livable I think it could help with DEI.
The lack of work-life balance.
Fieldwork careers providing more benefits (retirement, health insurance, etc.).
The disconnect between academic research and applied management.
Elitism, especially in academic bio. It’s the enemy of education and change.
The tremendous culture of “tradition” that is just blatant abuse, racism, and sexism.
Elitism, competition. A professor told me “if you’re not publishing papers, you’re just messing around”.
That family, friends, love life, your well-being are always second to this field.
Toxic masculinity impacting ALL genders, mental/physical, including men, in the field.
The idea that if you don’t like working in the rain, with lots of bugs, bad weather, etc. it means you’re a bad biologist.
The bureaucracy that accompanies government positions.
More entry level permanent jobs to make this field equitable.
More acceptance from the general public that women are qualified Biologists.
The competitiveness and territoriality.
More funding.
The prevalence of burnout culture. No data is more important than the health of the staff.
Having to have a master’s degree for a lot of jobs.
The lack of diversity.
The belief that if you don’t have the “Biologist” title, you’re not a real biologist.
The belief that it’s normal to have to abandon your personal life for a job (partner, pets, etc.).
The culture of dressing a certain way. I shouldn’t be shamed for being fashionable.
Appreciating diverse backgrounds. Not everyone can afford seasonal positions.
The lack of personal time expected. We all need time to breathe.
Racism against Indigenous communities.
The pretentious gatekeeping. Anyone can be a scientist.
Everyone’s hiring but it’s so competitive and easy to lost hope.
That you must dress and look like a stereotypical biologist.
Pressure to let your field consume your entire life.
Competitiveness.
That is was easier to gain experience without spending money of your own.
The old mentality of “since we had to do it that way, you have to do it the same”.
Lack of diversity and ableist attitudes.
The pigeonholing that can happen (study songbirds once, always a songbird tech).
Lack of inclusivity and acceptance of nuerodivergents/autists in fieldwork.
How do you recover from a long stint/season in the field?
Ask a Biologist Monday 9/26/22
Answers from Biologists:
Clean my car because every season it ends up holding all my equipment/belongings/junk.
Reading (mysteries, urban fantasy), baking, cooking, YouTube cooking shows, Instagram.
Get a haircut, or put on some nice makeup or nice clothes. Anything to feel less like a gremlin!
If I can, I alter my schedule briefly to allow time to sleep in and have a nice coffee.
A Big Mac, a long shower, and cuddles with my pup.
Sleep, snuggle pets, watch lots of tv.
Watch tv and relax. Go outside for myself, good reminder to see how beautiful it is when I can sit down.
Meeting up with friends and family I don’t get to see while working.
Playing Stardew Valley on my Switch and snuggling my dog. And eating of course!
Dress nice for a change and treat myself to a nice dinner/concert/shopping spree.
Gardening and spending time with my furred and feathered kids re-centers me.
Sleeeeeeep!
Take time off. Spend time with family and friends. Nap a lot.
Long showers, the Deep in the Heart of Texas doc. reading Grassland by Dick Manning.
Get a pedicure because my feet are in brutal shape.
Save money to get my car cleaned by someone, then self care rituals and reaching out to friends/family.
I work year round so daily self care is big for me (hot baths, skincare, weekly gear cleaning).
Stay on my couch and bed as much as possible, also wearing comfy clothes and pjs.
Catch up on my hobbies (which still involve being in nature).
Promise myself to never do it again, veg for 4 months, rinse and repeat.
Most of mine are late night so I enjoy a bowl of cereal before bed.
Disconnect from technology so no one can reach me for a bit (go camping).
Take a long solo road trip on the way home then spend time with family/friends.
Enjoy a nice long sleep without worrying about 3am alarms.
Spend time with loved ones, binge watch TV, or just chill.
Spend all my time with my dog.
Spend time with loved ones and splurge on a massage or other spa services.
Theragun and a cold beer.
Deep clean my field gear-clean backpacks, oiled leather boots, so satisfying!
Big huge salads, buying new gear, and taking a long bubble bath.
Icecream!
Baths, snacks, crafts, TV and video games.
Lots of naps.
Video games or Netflix when I need time inside. Photographing animals otherwise.
Spending some time alone at home in my space to reset, then lots of friends and family.
Sleep, stretching, and all the food.
Take your vacation time! It’s there for a reason. No sense in letting it build up until you are forced to take it.
Resting indoors a lot, but also going outside to do only fun things that I love, so outside isn’t only work.
Being inside can be so nice after a long field day/season. Also candy.
Ice cream.
A roadtrip.
Bathe in moisturizer and eat all of the home-cooked vegetables.
Deep clean my car and closet to reset. It helps to have friends to body double to get it done.
Who is a role model/inspiration to you?
Ask a Biologist Monday 9/19/22
Answers from Biologists:
BIPOC biologists. The challenges that they have to push through are so much more than white scientists.
Kart brothers
Jack Hannah
Steve Irwin
My high school AP teacher.
Grad school advisor. They taught me about work-life balance.
My high school biology teacher. They were so passionate.
Lynn Bohs. She mentored me in undergrad. Her passion and knowledge are unrivaled.
My dad. He always told me I could be whatever I wanted and believed in me.
My mom, who was a wildland firefighter and the kindest person I know.
My Conservation Biology professor, Colleen StClair. Inspiring to see women in Conservation work.
2 of my nontraditional undergrad/community college peers. Paths to biology differ but are inspiring.
@jesshausti and @laureneckert
Indigenous scientists and stewards. Y’all are badass and I appreciate you immensely!
Queer and trans folks who are unapologetically themselves in this field, making it safer for all.
Steve Irwin really got me into conservation from a young age.
The first wildlife biologist I got to volunteer with. She’s such a cool lady and really helped me.
My best friend. We reconnected as nontraditional students and become total bad-asses together.
@ashcable, @linsdeyphillips, @ellieburken
Tips for landing a long-term/permanent job.
Ask a Biologist Monday 9/12/22
Answers from Biologists:
Work on GIS skills. It really does make a difference!
Don’t give up. Your journey is unique to you. Enjoy the (slow) process.
Resist working unpaid positions. They won’t get you much of anywhere.
Make and deeply foster your connections within the field.
Get a Master’s!
Unfortunately, getting a master’s. But years of loyal experience for great recommendations also helps.
Keep an open mind of the topic/species you’re hung up on isn’t providing that opportunity.
Network with partners in various projects to explore your options and build your references.
Get as many certifications as you can.
MS for sure. Absolute game changer.
Being open to a variety of locations, type of org/agency, and species.
Don’t be afraid to take jobs a bit outside of your preferred topic. Makes you a well-rounded candidate.
Get someone experienced to give their feedback on your CV/resume.
Master’s.
Studying how to nail interviews and a lot of patience.
Either an MS or experience, or get in as a tech/term position with a state agency and try to stay.
Networking is essential. It’s dumb but it’s all about who you know and who knows you.
I worked as a seasonal and kept making connections until I landed a permanent position.
Learn bio resume crafting. Key language is different from other fields. Interview skills/prep.
Just keep flinging yourself at the wall-but intelligently. Look for term positions that fill gaps.
For me, I had to take a job that I don’t love. It pays and build valuable skills!
Go to conferences. You will make so many connections!
Establish connections with your supervisors during tech/intern positions.
Try to keep your focus broad at first to gain as many widely applicable skills as possible.
Networking (which is hard)! See if friend’s companies are hiring.
Look into consulting. Even short term, it pays well and builds your resume.
It’s okay to push back against the idea of having to move away from your family/home.
Diversify your seasonal positions between government, private, non-profit, etc.
Seasonal jobs in offices with other departments (wildlife, sport fish, game fish, habitat).
Don’t be afraid to move. You limit your opportunities if you’re set on working in a certain place.
Be willing to move. Far. Anywhere.
Be open to moving-could be cities, states, or even countries.
Go to conferences! BUT don’t sit with your friends. Go network and ask questions.
Networking was what did it for me!
NETWORKING. My boss did not care that I had an MS but he knew who I’d worked for.
Sell yourself as hard as you can in every single interview. There’s zero benefit to holding back.
Don’t just look for jobs in your target system. Go after everything.
Try to develop at least one niche field skill. For me, plant ID ecosystem classification.
GIS skills and stats programming in R.
Take a position that gets you a Public Land Corps hiring status if you want to be a fed.
Organizations love specialists, but rely most on generalists. Diversify your experience.
Hone your interview skills.
Get on a brand spankin’ new project as a seasonal and hope it grows.
Join professional organizations and run for positions on boards/committees.
Make and hone connections through social media.
Summarize your job duties in 10 words or less
Ask a Biologist Monday 9/5/22
Answers from Biologists:
Threatened and endangered species recovery and habitat restoration.
Primate necropsies with tissue distribution to minimize monkeys used.
Make maps, review data, emails and calls, attend meetings.
Make sure transportation projects don’t impact our local wildlife.
Catch juvenile salmon to discover habitat preference.
Use trained detection dogs to conduct wildlife surveys.
Collect long term monitoring data for fisheries.
Collect samples from roadkill and write a big thesis.
Commercial guide outfitter licensing and allocation management. And data queries.
Conserve and restore remnants of a declining ecosystem.
Riparian surveys, supporting clean water, flood control, and mitigation projects.
Human/wildlife damage mitigation with a focus on urban areas.
Count fish using complex and often expensive methods.
Monitor restored wetlands and write big reports. Teach the youths.
Fauna sampling for a 30 year project.
Surveying and mapping rare and sensitive plant communities.
Balance protection and development.
Necropsies, stable isotopes, and all things coyote for a thesis.
Cheetah keeper in Africa.
Hang pink flags on wetland edge.
Give bats a mic to sing to.
Observe Oregon’s threatened and endangered plants and create conservation and restoration strategies.
Autopsies on large carnivore species and assisting population management research.
Project manage digital aerial wildlife survey projects for offshore renewables.
Manage and protect saline lake ecosystems.
Chase sneaky birds in hopes of sciencing. Survey habitat of sneaky birds.
Expand environmental education programs for k-12 students in rural Oregon.
Manage 50 invasive python removal contractors and their data.
State oversight on industrial development. Sage grouse, migration corridors, wildlife.
Determine factors in salamander elevational gradients, then write a thesis.
Wetland restoration. Pine reforestation. Keep Florida wild.
Band waterfowl.
Western NC small mammals. Are they genetically diverse or not?
Walk up hills and look at ground.
Make more of endangered species (conservation breeding).
Find bats, explain nature, know the law.
Evaluate everglades restoration projects for impacts to threatened/endangered species.
Research and conserve coral reefs of American Samoa’s sanctuary waters.
Prevent transportation projects from impacting sensitive species and habitat.
Estimate populations to open trapping/hunting seasons on popular species.
Identify plant communities to help guide sustainable development.
Take different funding sources and fix habitat.
Ensure projects in/near water don’t negatively impact fish.
Remove invasive plants. Rx burning. Wildlife surveys. Manage check stations.
Coordinate research for a field station and conduct wildlife research.
Bear/human conflict mitigation.
Track special status species (all taxa) in Arizona.
Remove protected and endangered species from a power plant intake.
Teach people how to watch bighorn sheep behave.
Novice salamander tatooer (to tag them) and undergrad student.
Rescue, rehabilitate, research, and necropsy marine animals.
Restore land the military messed up.
Haze waterfowl and shorebirds from tailings ponds to protect them from oiling.
Manage big game populations.
Make data FAIR-findable, interoperable, accessible, and reproducible.
Conservation on private lands funded through the Farm Bill.
Saving the turtles.
Teach people about birds.
Measure random stuff my boss tells me to.
Drop rabilois to trash pandas.
Manage wildlife for private land owners. Help get tax exemptions.
Manage wildlife on reservation and in ceded territory.
Manage biological monitoring programs in an estuary.
Recover at-risk species, protect habitat, expand protected areas.
Sell conservation to landowners and ranchers in sage-grouse country.
Monitor bird and mosquito populations for avian malaria in Hawai’i.
Catching falcons, fitting telemetry, cleaning data, coding, analysis, writing thesis.
Find out why dead animals died. Try to stop it.
Manage human/wildlife conflicts on airports.