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Pros/Cons of working in different sectors?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/30/23
Answers from Biologists:
Feds:
Cons
Difficult to advance
Drowning in hiring pool
Waiting 6 months for simple hiring paperwork
Low pay to cost of living
Bureaucracy
Politics
Red tape
Steady work
Rate caps on pay
Can be limited by jurisdiction
Drama between orgs
Less field time/more office work
Hard to get a permanent position
Long timelines
Burnout potential is high
Pros
We do a lot of science in house
Programs well funded
Training potential
Lots of experience
flexible
Decent pay
Private land conservation
Good pay
Funding
Job security
Hours worked are respected
Overtime pay
Holidays
Paid trainings
Better work/life balance
Unionized (Canada)
Meaningful work
Academia
Cons
Toxic
Soft money
Poor pay
Pros
Groundbreaking projects
Good benefits
Private
Cons
Health insurance not always provided
Competitive
Crazy hours
Demanding clients
Pros
Good pay
Can be enjoyable (if you find the right one)
Rewarding
Exposure to a wide variety of work
State
Cons
Terrible pay
Paperwork
Slow approval process
Politics
Lack of pay increases
Different departments vary in pay
Boy’s club
Awful culture
Hard to get permanent position
Often overworked
Anti-government public
Bureaucracy
Pros
Good health insurance/benefits
Decent pay
Job security
Health insurance
Paid Time Off
Variety of work
Vacation hours/pay
People
Consulting
Cons
High workload
Travel
Job insecurity
Unpredictable schedule
Underpaid
Not environmentally friendly
Pros
Remote work
Variety of projects
Decent pay
Non-profit
Cons
Grant funded/unstable funding
High work load
Less people-power
Bad pay
Overworked
More business than science
Limited funds
Pros
Local impact
Direct change
Networking
Variety of experiences
Hands-on work
Good pay/benefits
Freedom/flexibility
Meaningful work
Tribal
Cons
Funding
Jurisdiction/co-management issues
Pros
Conservation values
Independence
Grant opportunities
Favors tribal citizens
Less restrictions
Freedom to pursue new projects
Contracting
Cons
Easier to get than federal jobs
Pros
No job security
Energy
Cons
Awful hours
Pros
Fantastic pay
Good benefits
What was your path to your first permanent position?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/23/23
Answers from Biologists:
BS, 1 seasonal, 1 intern, 4 yrs MS, substitute teaching, 7 yrs. PhD, perm job at yr 5 of PhD.
Community college, 2 yrs undergrad, an internship, 2 temp positions, then it finally happened.
3 yrs undergrad-wrong path 2 yr detour, 3 yrs new undergrad, 3 yrs seasonal, 4 yrs pt time grad and work.
4 yrs undergrad, 3 yrs seasonal, 2.5 yrs grad school, 1 yr seasonal, finally in a permanent position.
3 yrs undergrad, 1.5 yrs masters, 3 months volunteering, and 3 months seasonal work.
3.5 yrs undergrad for a BSc, then applying to almost 50 jobs (Australia).
5 yrs undergrad, 6 months unpaid internship, 4.5 yrs seasonal, and just now a permanent job.
4 yrs undergrad, 4 yrs seasonal jobs, 3 yrs grad school, then a permanent w/nonprofit.
4 yrs undergrad, 1 yr internships, 2 yrs grad, 4 yrs temp jobs.
4.5 yrs (took semester off for seasonal position), 2 yrs seasonal, 2 yrs term, 3 states.
2 summer internships during 4 yrs of college plus some volunteering and being a tech.
5 yrs undergrad, 3 yrs work in an unrelated field, 1 long term/8 month seasonal position.
3 BS over 5 yrs with research/internships in school.
2 yrs seasonal work, 1.5 yrs federal contracting, 1 more seasonal job, 1.5 yrs grad school.
5 yrs undergrad, 2 internships, 4 yrs seasonal, 3 yrs grad school, 2 more seasonals, then perm. Moved a lot.
Summer seasonal and grad project. Volunteer during undergraduate.
4 yrs undergrad, worked in labs during that time.
Undergrad, unpaid internship, 1 yr volunteering, temp position 9 months became permanent.
Hired as on-call during my last yr of undergrad. Turned permanent after graduating.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs grad school, 1 postmasters in specialty area, permanent position.
4.5 yrs undergrad and 3 yrs seasonal work.
6 yrs undergrad including 2 summer terms at my job. 4 yrs of terms, now 6 months/yr “permanent”.
4 yrs undergrad, 1 yr unpaid volunteer, 6 yrs temp seasonal.
5 yr undergrad, 4 yrs tech position, 3 yrs grad school.
4 yrs undergrad, 1 yr seasonals, currently in 3 yr position with agency that should renew.
4 yrs undergrad, 4 summers of seasonal work, now a grad student.
Undergrad, seasonal at NGO, 3 yrs grad school.
4 yrs undergrad with paid internships in summers, 4 yrs seasonal, permanent.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs seasonal, 2 yrs Americorps, 3 yrs masters, 1 yr student pathway conversion.
6 yrs undergrad, 4 internships and GIS cert, 4 yrs graduate with full time job and promotion after graduation.
Oils and bird monitoring, consulting, both with slow layoff seasons. Now full time.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs Americorps, 3 fed seasonal jobs, then permanent.
4.5 yrs undergrad, then getting lucky that the lab I interned for during undergrad was hiring.
4 yrs undergrad, 7 yrs seasonal jobs in 5 different states during and after college.
5 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs seasonal, 2 yrs Peace Corps.
Undergrad, seasonal positions, graduate certificate, then permanent.
Undergrad with paid internships, industry job for 6 months, then master’s degree.
4 yrs undergrad, 5 yrs seasonal tech, 2.5 yrs MS.
4 yrs BS, 1 seasonal job, 5 yrs MS, 2 years with Pheasants forever.
4 yrs undergrad with 2 internships, 3 yrs grad school, 9 months unemployed.
5 yrs undergrad, 3.5 yrs seasonal (9 different jobs across the country), 2.5 yrs grad school.
4 yrs undergrad with internships, 3 yrs intern/seasonal work.
11 seasonal positions in 4 states before getting a BA then permanent.
4 yr undergrad, 3 yrs seasonal, half of a master’s (1 yr).
2 internships in high school, 2 internships in undergrad, 1 lab job, 3 seasonal tech jobs.
3 yrs of casual contracts alternating between 2 jobs and unemployment.
BS engineering, 3 yrs job, quit w/savings to endure 3 yrs tech work, 2 yrs MS.
4 seasons of ecology work as a tech.
4 yrs unrelated undergrad, 6 months unpaid internship, 2.5 yrs part time consulting, now permanent job.
3 yrs community college, 3 yrs BS, 2.5 yrs seasonal.
4 yrs undergrad, 5 yrs seasonal.
4 yrs undergrad, season of volunteering, 2 yrs grad school, 2 yrs seasonal.
Converted to permanent upon completion of pathways 2 yr probationary period.
Seasonal during undergrad, recent grad pathways position.
4 yrs undergrad, 1 yr internship, 3 yrs with one org, 2 yrs seasonal, now getting MS.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs grad, 4 months paid internship.
Undergrad, internship, 2 years contracting.
Undergrad, 2 seasons as a tech, 1 season as a lead.
4 yrs undergrad, 6 months seasonal work.
4 yrs undergrad, 7 yrs seasonal, 3 yrs term, 7 yrs permanent, now MS online while working.
4 yrs BS, 2 seasonal jobs, 2 yrs grad, 1 more seasonal, 1 yr odd jobs.
BS 4 yrs tech, MS, 1 yr tech position, 2 yrs temp.
4 yrs undergrad w/summer seasonal jobs, 4 yrs seasonal, on-call, and temp work.
Volunteering at my local conservation center.
4 yrs undergrad volunteering, 1 unpaid internship, 2 paid internships.
3.5 yrs undergrad, 5 months continuing in lab I was working in during undergrad, then permanent.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs seasonal, 1 professional training, 8 months applying.
4.5 yrs undergrad w/3 internships, working in lab for 2 yrs, and independent study.
DHA internships for 5 months then permanent.
4 yrs undergrad, multiple volunteer positions during undergrad.
4.5 yrs BS with seasonals during summer, 1 yr temp job, 2 yrs MS, 2 yrs temp jobs.
4 yrs undergrad, 4 yrs part-time tech, 1 yr sci aid.
2 yrs CC, 2 yrs undergrad, 7.5 yrs tec work.
Undergrad w/internships and study abroad, 2 yrs permanent, 4 yrs MS, now back to permanent.
7 yrs undergrad, 6 yrs seasonal, 2 yrs grad school, 1 yr volunteering.
4 yrs undergrad w/2 seasonal jobs, 1 yr in different field, 1 seasonal job.
15 seasonal jobs, 15 off season jobs, 1 independent grant/research project. Full time at 31.
2 seasons while in undergrad, 3 seasons after.
4 yrs undergrad, 3 yrs seasonal, 4 yrs grad school, 1 yr postdoc with another to come.
BS, unpaid tech job, 2 yrs lab analyst, 3 seasonal jobs.
5 yrs undergrad, 5 yrs PhD, 6 months applications.
4 yrs undergrad, 1.5 yrs seasonal, permanent (which I quit).
4 summer jobs during undergrad, permanent after graduation.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs grad, 1 yr seasonal.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 yrs grad school, 6 yrs tech positions in 8 states.
Internship in high school, 4 yrs undergrad, 8 yrs seasonal (6 states).
4 yrs undergrad, 3 yrs grad school, 3 tech positions.
4 yrs undergrad, 2 seasonal jobs.
2 yrs community college, 2.5 yrs undergrad, 8 seasonal jobs, 2.5 yrs grad school.
BSc, internship at federal agency.
Writing my own grant for my current project, but still seasonal most of the yr.
What stands out the most in job applications/people reaching out to you?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/16/23
Answers from Biologists:
Realistic about their skills-you don’t have to know everything to start a position.
Comfortable in the field in occasionally not so great environmental conditions.
They seem genuinely interested in moving to a rural area and engaging with community.
Using the cover letter to connect the dots (or gaps)in experience that fit the job post.
Willingness and aptitude to learn with new species and new areas.
A team player
Has fun while working in the field.
Kindness, curiosity, and problem solving skills.
Ability to hold a conversation and ask directed, thoughtful questions.
Off trail navigation/using GPS/being able to find your way back to the vehicle without seeing it.
Good grammar in their email/cover letter.
Willingness to ask questions.
Humility.
Having a future goal in mind and how the position will serve them with that goal in mind.
Ability to be humble and not act like they know everything.
Indication that they know they won’t know everything but they can use their resources.
They ask thoughtful questions beyond specifics of posting.
Plant skills.
Experience with “less exciting” jobs-shows me you can handle the more mundane tasks too.
A demonstrated passion for learning through self-study, naturalist groups, etc,.
What do you wish you knew about grad school before going?
Ask A Biologist Monday 10/9/23
Answers from Biologists:
That it can be really clique-y and dramatic at times.
How hard it can be having so much responsibility for your own deadlines/decisions.
Make a budget with expected income and expenses so you know if you can afford it.
A lot of people never publish their MS research. It’s harder than you think.
Predator-based projects often have really small sample sizes which make your analyses weak.
You can live pretty much anywhere for a few years. It goes by quickly.
The school that you go to doesn’t matter as much as the project and advisor.
You don’t need every skill for the project from the get-go. It’s a learning process.
I wish I’d known how mentally challenging it can be.
You’ll be making contacts that can influence the rest of your career.
Find out if there is funding to pay for you to go to conferences. Otherwise they get expensive.
Whether you advisor/dept partners with outside agencies. Huge for networking and finding a job after.
Make sure you’re excited about your project. Grad school is hard and loving your project makes a difference.
Don’t accept a position for a project you don’t like because it’s all you’ll do for years.
Ask about a supervisor’s managerial style. Make sure it works for you.
Many professors don’t use stats or programming in their daily work. You’ll learn that stuff from other students.
Ask about things like tuition remission/living stipend up front. Don’t save that detail for last.
Two years seems like a huge commitment, but it really isn’t. It goes by so fast.
If you can visit and gain a feel for the department culture, do it. Choose like you would a job.
Contact grad students outside of those with your potential advisor and ask them what the advisor is like. They’ll be more honest than current/former students can be.
Your advisor can make or break your experience. Choose carefully and do your background research.
Tips for making/keeping professional connections?
Ask A Biologist Monday 10/2/23
Answers from Biologists:
Let your references know each time you apply for a job(s) and use the opportunity to reconnect/update.
Reach out on social media. Don’t be afraid to talk to other Biologists that way.
Volunteer for a day/weekend on a project/with a local Biologist.
Ask your current contacts to introduce you to other Biologists they know.
Twitter/X is a surprisingly great networking platform.
Join a professional group like TWS or ASM (run for positions!).
Connect with others on a personal level with interests beyond work.
Seek out a mentor, through an official program or more unofficially.
Bring business cards to conferences/events.
Have a concise elevator pitch prepared.
Ask professionals you might want to talk to if you can join them for a meal.
Don’t date/sleep with too many people in your field…
Interact with folks on social media. It’s not as weird as it might seem to just reach out.
Plan some time each week to reach out to current connections (10 min text/email).
What is something you wished you’d asked your grad school advisor beforehand?
Ask A Biologist Monday 9/25/23
Answers from Biologists:
How long on average their students (not the program as a whole) took to graduate.
If this is PhD level work, can I just switch to the PhD?
Do your students complete their projects on time? If not, what contributes to project delays?
Learning more about a co-supervisor. They were 60% of my total grad school time.
What is the work-life balance like?
How to best utilize my grad committee?
How many students do they typically take on a year?
What percentage of their students successfully defend.
How do you give feedback and what is your communication style (weekend emails?)?
What is their philosophy for support during field season?
Do they advocate for non-uni courses (wilderness first aid training, hands on workshops)?
What are the expectations for publishing, if any?
How often did they stray from previous student’s thesis proposals?
Specifically how they fund their students.
How reachable they would be when I needed something?
Contact for current students.
Do you have funding for conferences or travel?
How much they valued getting it done over getting it done perfectly.
How much experience they had with the topic of my thesis.
Whether they expect students to TA to earn their stipend.
What it the diversity within their lab?
Do we have a plan if something goes wrong or comes up insignificant?
How in tune with the industry are they? As in do they know what the job market/employers are looking for?
What’s an important skill to have in our field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 9/18/23
Answers from Biologists:
Map skills and orienteering.
Driving a manual vehicle.
Knowing how to get trucks unstuck from mud, sand, etc.
First aid
Pooping in the woods.
Plant ID
Navigation
Carpentry/general building and repair skills
Writing-both technical and science communication
Observational skills
Patience
Compass skills-can save your life if a GPS fails
4x4 driving
Vehicle/gear maintenance
Ability to sit and focus on computers
Willingness to learn
Resilience
Appreciation of the day in the field even if you don’t get/find what you want/need
Adaptability-things will change while working in the field so being able to handle that is important.
A good sense of direction.
Adaptability-fieldwork never goes as planned.
Favorite/most essential class you took in undergrad and why?
Ask A Biologist Monday 9/11/23
Answers from Biologists:
Ecology-it helped me “get” the connections I was observing in the real world.
Population Biology-Understanding mathematical modeling and stats was essential.
Vetebrate natural history-lots of hands on class days, ID skills, and delving into life histories.
Mammology-the class that changed my life!
Ornithology-helped me develop my ID skills that I still use today.
Animal behavioral ecology
Environmental Impact Assesment-all about NEPA. Hated it at the time but it was useful.
Plant ecology
Intro to Entomology-changed my career path and I found my passion. Take a random course!
Parasitology-maybe not essential by very interesting.
Invasive ecology-great to get background in how they get around the world and how people respond.
Plant systematics-So much more than plant ID. Now I’m a plant ecologist.
Field techniques-hands on
Statistics-understanding of data and metrics use in everyday life
Modern statistical modeling-taught in R in 2012. Stats skills have stood out ever since.
Terrestrial flora-I used this ID knowledge every day at my work.
Wildlife management techniques-where I found my love for wetlands
Animal behavior
9 credits worth of plant classes-so you can be a federal wildlife biologist
GIS-I would be screwed without knowing GIS
Evolutionary Ecology-understanding function, purpose and change.
Wetlands-it had herbarium collection, ID, classification, an policy all mixed in.
Human Dimensions in Wildlife-understanding and identifying stakeholders is essential.
Natural resources economics-communicate how valuable conservation can be.
Plant ID-I got my first tech job because of it.
Natural resources history and politics-helped me better understand some challenges in conservation.
Environmental communications
Mammology
Spatial ecology-heavy on R work
Plant taxonomy-knowing the features of plant families gives you a good starting point to ID
American Environmental history-learned about policy and management through time.
Marine ecology-sparked my passion and prof gave great advice for new biologists.
Interdisciplinary courses-taught me how to think
Invertebrate Biology-taught me how to memorize species and appreciate ecological systems.
Favorite: Behavioral ecology of fishes. Most essential: Icthyology
GIS-Spatial data is essential in conservation.
GIS-I use it every day at my job.
Community ecology-I still use the theory and principles I learned in my career as a wildlife ecologist daily.
Remote sensing-basic skills/knowledge of GIS
Habitat management-learning to apply, write, and budget for real life work scenarios is so important.
Human dimensions-how to facilitate stakeholder conversations.
Dendrology-learning to see how important/varied trees are to wildlife was eye opening.
Ecosystem management and policies-got into the NEPA process and how to manage with it.
Aquatic ecosystems-real life applicable.
Biometry-learned how to use stats, analytical programs like R, and design research projects.
Human dimensions of wildlife-it is crucially important to be able to communicate with stakeholders.
Mammology-tough and pretty heavy class but worth it.
ESRI suites class-helped my a lot post grad.
Dendrology-tree skills are super useful in this field.
Wetland ecology-field portion was amazing.
Field methods in avian ecology-got me started conducting my own research.
Wildlife and Fisheries techniques-really prepped me for field work and looked great on applications.
Ecology-the gateway class that put me onto the path to becoming a field ecologist.
Aquatic botany-learned a lot about wetland delineation, which is good for consulting.
Marine ecology-introduced R and how to apply it to research and field work.
Capstone project-learned species management and finances.
Ecology-made me switch from a pre-neuroscience focus to ecology.
Plant taxonomy-plant ID has become one of my most valuable skills as a biologist.
Environmental toxicology-took it for fun but it’s surprisingly useful.
Field courses-I learned so much ID, telemetry, mist netting, research design.
Waterfowl biology-led to me getting interested in birds.
Great Plains flora-lots of vegetation monitoring in my work.
Dendrology-professor still worked in the field so it was relatable.
Wetland ecology and management-deep ecological dive!
Environmental biology-made my switch my major from philosophy.
Stats-knowing how to use R is essential to grad school and as a biologist.
Wildlife Damage Management-fun and hands on
Biocomputing-python is one of the most useful and transferrable skills I learned in undergrad.
Conservation biology-and interesting blend of scientific and human related topics.
Wildlife techniques-puts the theory to practice.
Field identification of plants-I had no idea I would be using that info so much now.
Ornithology-taught me general ID, patience, and surveys that I do now.
Stream restoration ecology-I got to learn habitat management.
Wildlife techniques-learning fieldwork techniques and even did a weekend camping.
Wildlife techniques-went through capture methods for various wildlife. Hands on field trips.
Statistics-where the magic happens.
Upland management-we has to make a whole land management program.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re off work?
Ask A Biologist Monday 9/4/23
Answers from Biologists:
Tend to my 24 species of animals in my own little mini zoo or explore national parks.
Write, make costumes, bake, spend time with friends.
Jigsaw puzzles.
Workout, meal prep, drink a beer, trash TV.
Hike, cook, garden.
Hunt grouse with my bird dogs.
Anything film related. Watching movies, writing, etc.
Knit and play/watch DND.
Quilt.
Leave the country.
Play dumb phone games and listen to podcasts. Brush my dog. Play with the cat.
Pottery, snowboarding (winter stuff).
Hike, bike, paddleboard, horseback ride, camp.
Crochet, fencing, gardening, and pup play time.
Swim in the summer, snowboard in the winter, and video games all year long.
Forage, hike, garden, walk my dog, cook, take photos, and watch TV.
Paint.
Go birding on spots on my route home from work.
Nap.
Scroll Texas A&M.
Backpack, whittle, fly fish, cook extravagant meals.
Watch movies and gardening.
Falconry. I love nature to my core and being closer to it without it being “work”.
Botanize leisurely, swimming, snuggle kitties, gardening, kayaking, biking.
Stained glass, go to museums.
Lay in bed.
Surf on season and snowboard off. Feels so good to completely disconnect.
Hike, read, antique stores.
Spend quality time with my little.
Trail run and rock climb.
Nap. Bird field work requires early mornings so I gotta catch up on my sleep.
Read, hike, camp, hang out with my kids.
Shower off the fish scales and grime then admire my fish tanks.
Read, make puzzles, hike.
Hiking, knitting, reading, swimming, and hanging out with dogs.
Birding, kayaking, reading, pickleball.
Rock climb. Whether it’s outdoors or in the gum, it’s a great mental and physical sport.
Play video games and hang out with my kiddo.
What is something you love about being a Biologist?
Ask A Biologist Monday 8/21/23
Answers from Biologists:
I literally got paid to walk through remote, beautiful forests by myself.
I learn something new every day, whether it’s a new species, behavior, survey site, etc.
Getting other people excited about biology.
I love that the learning never ends, especially given how much we move around to different regions.
Getting to work with salmon.
Learning to see the small, extraordinary details in things that most people find ordinary.
Connecting with landowners and teaching them about habitat management.
Balancing indoor and outdoor time. I love that I get to do both.
Looking at my work with pride (usually exhausted and filthy). My job helps the health of the planet.
There’s always something interesting to be found every day.
Getting paid to look for plants and animals.
Knowing my work is directly protecting wildlife.
The variety of experiences from field to teaching to lab work to bioinformatics.
Knowing I’m doing my best to fix the issues humans have caused.
Constantly confusing people about my job (bonus: handling animals that are “creepy”)
I’m always in awe that I get to touch wildlife for work.
Getting to meet the people who spend most of their time on the land we study.
No two work days are ever the same. There’s always new experiences and places to see.
Getting to work with and learn from folks with all kinds of experience and knowledge.
Examining things I love.
Everyone sending me blurry pictures of bugs/critters and asking me to ID them.
Tips for being a good mentor/supervisor to technicians?
Ask A Biologist Monday 6/19/23
Answers from Biologists:
Don’t treat them as “techs” but as fellow professionals who also have valid and useful ideas.
Get out in the field with them. Work alongside them.
Develop personal connections (respect boundaries though). Shows you’re human too.
Focus when possible on their development as a scientist-new training, skills, etc.
Give space for techs to voice their ideas and perspectives. Be open to learn from them.
Listen to them.
Look out for their safety.
Be a good reference/network point.
Treat them as the young professionals they are (and not just a laborer to get work done).
Know mistakes will happen and address them; support wins too! Encouragement goes far.
Listen to them when they voice their concerns with an open mind.
Add professional development hours (trainings, resume workshop, interview practice).
A “good job” goes a long way for tired techs morale.
Set goals for the season for each tech.
Share your journey getting to your position.
Get them into as many trainings as possible.
Understand that they have lives outside of work.
Take a genuine interest in them as people.
Be sure they’re getting regular days off.
Fight hard to increase their pay any time that you can.
Have an up to date field safety plan.
Make sure you’re paying them a fair hourly wage.
What was/is the topic of your thesis/dissertation?
Ask A Biologist Monday 6/12/23
Answers from Biologists:
Breeding ecology and habitat selection of American Woodcock.
Dorsal patterns of Uta Lizards compared to substrate/rock they were basking and morph.
Improving detection and capture of invasive Burmese python.
Impacts of noise on songbird reproduction and behavior.
Annual grassland bird use in restored and remnant prairies.
Insect pollinator habitat connectivity in urban environments.
Evaluating and establishing baseline levels of PFAS and heavy metals in bald eagles.
How white tailed deer influence cattle fever tick abundance.
Hg transfer up food webs and spatial distribution in fish and seabirds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Characterization of algal communities and their relation to water quality in a riverine system.
Taxonomy, phylogeny, and host-range distribution of parasites of sharks/fishes.
Alfalfa weevil insecticide resistance and resistance management in the western US.
Effect of mesquite encroachment on mixed grass prairie composition.
Differential gene expression in CWD-positive and negative white tailed deer.
Assessing the response of vegetation and waterfowl to the drawdown of a wetland.
Characterized the chemical profile of several species of poison frogs.
How temperature variations impact amphibian disease.
Invertebrate survey of farm. Farmer hadn’t changed their practices since the 1940’s. Lots of bugs!
Consequences of drought for juveniles and population dynamics in dryland songbirds.
Survival rates and home ranges of Blanding’s turtles.
How extreme cold climates affect aquatic microbial communities. What happens in and under the ice.
Understanding how landscape configuration impacts bobcats.
Coyote diet and population demographics.
Cliff swallows and drought.
Bioenergetics of waterbirds on Great Salt Lake wetlands under different water inflow scenarios.
Using satellite images to track dieback of Phragmites at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Effects of paper mill effluent on the reproductive axis in bullhead minnows.
Impacts of chronic human noise on ecosystem function in the sage-steppe.
Comparative study of corticosterone levels in 3 species of water snake.
Conditional occupancy and habitat of rocky shiners, using data to get them listed with ESA.
Mountain lion resource selection and habitat use in Central coast of California.
Movement ecology post translocation from airfields of RTHA, SEOW, and GHOW.
Wild pig resource selection and efficacy of removal methods.
Effects of domestic cat presence on foraging behavior of passerines.
Space use, survival, and cause-specific mortality of white-tailed deer fawns.
If interspecific aggression between 2 salamander species affects their elevational ranges.
How different climate variables affect western larch wood density.
Pollinator biodiversity after wildfire in under-surveyed landscapes.
Cellular mechanisms that lead to preferential pH regulation in some fish species.
If flowers within a cabbage field would increase parasitism of caterpillars.
Effects of prairie dogs and their management on plant and animal communities in the Great Plains.
Barriers to wild pig management on private lands.
Mixture of toxicity of neonicotinoids (pesticides) on embryonic and larval fathead minnows.
Exploratory look into returning Snake River fall Chinook salmon “mini jacks”.
California sea lion aggression and competition.
Survey of the ensemble of medium and large mammals in protected area in Cordoba, Argentina.
Population dynamics of deer in South Florida using camera and telemetry data.
In situ hatching orientation in green sea turtles, focusing on different types of light.
Hibernation site selection/ecology of Eastern Massasaugua rattlesnakes.
Effects of invasive earthworms on the linkage between soil food web and broader food web: salamanders.
Chemical ecology of trembling aspen and impacts on plant community dynamics.
Prevalence and store/employee awareness of invasive crayfishes in retail pet trade.
Effects of industrial extractive activities (logging/mining) on zoonotic spillover risk.
Natural roost selection of the little brown bat.
Bighorn sheep respiratory disease surveillance via behavior and community science.
Measured local stream health around human activity using the Hilsenhoff index.
Toxicology of Arctic seabirds with Atlantic Puffins in Svalbard.
Effects of anthropogenic impacts on restored wetland communities.
Impacts of insecticides on migratory shorebirds in the Prairie Pothole region.
Red wolf audio cues to determine if red wolves can limit raccoon foraging behavior.
Disease and habitat suitability for nine-banded armadillos.
How social and ecological factors influence Mexican wolf home range size.
Bacterial competition and how bacteria fix and break down organic carbon.
Land use effects on turtle abundance, movement, and heavy metal bioaccumulation.
Tips for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and parenthood during fieldwork?
Ask A Biologist Monday 6/5/23
Answers from Biologists:
Be honest about your physical limitations during pregnancy.
Ask for space and time to pump.
Set firm boundaries on your work time to protect your family time.
Take as much parental leave as you can.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Especially lifting things while pregnant.
Freemie breast milk collection cups so you can pump on the go and be hands free.
Get a supportive hip band for hiking.
A workplace that recognizes that parents’ priorities (travel, etc.) shift is essential.
Get comfortable breastfeeding in a baby wrap or carrying. Game changer.
Hands-free pumping bras if you’re in the field without baby. Can pump while driving, etc.
Even if you aren’t ready to tell everyone, let a coworker you trust know you’re pregnant for safety.
Start baby in a carrier earlier and practice breastfeeding in it a lot.
The 40oz Stanley cup to stay hydrated. Makes it easy to drink while in the car between sites.
When pregnant, avoid handling dead stuff if you can. Zoonotics are not worth the risk.
Post partum sucks. Take all you time and do NO work during that time. Focus on healing and learning.
Remember that you are more important than your job.
Bootcut cargo pocket yoga pants, an Elvie pump, and relaxation techniques.
Take precautions against insect bites. Pregnant people are at higher risk for bad reactions.
Wear lots of sunscreen while pregnant. Your skin will sunburn easier than normal.
Don’t feel bad for taking it easy earlier in pregnancy. The whole thing is physically challenging.
Write down EVERYTHING. You’ll be shocked how absentminded you become.
Ask for flexibility with office vs fieldwork and options for work from home.
Recognize that your priorities may shift, and that’s okay!
Get a high quality cooler for storing pumped breastmilk.
Even if your boss is wonderful, tell them of your pregnancy and expected due date in an official email for records and protection.
Telling your supervisor early on about your pregnancy can offer more allowances for appointments and medical issues.
Realize that your ligaments soften and loosen in pregnancy, so be careful hiking and lifting items.
Be extra careful with your PPE while pregnant and breastfeeding.
Ask your coworkers who are already parents for their advice.
Talk to your employer/HR about how your child will be added to your insurance.
Favorite Biology themed podcast, show, movie?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/29/23
Answers from Biologists:
Movies/Shows
Jeff Corwin Experience
Wild America with Marty Stouffer
The Lion King
PBS Nature
Fantastic Fungi
Prehistoric Planet
Inside Nature’s Giants
Princess Mononoke
Zoboomafoo with the Kratt Brothers
The Crocodile Hunter
Night On Earth
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass
Song of the Dodo
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaughty
Vaquitta by Brooke Bessessen
Big Cat Diary
A Sand County Almanac
A Mile In Her Boots
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Podcasts
Ologies with Allie Ward
Get Out Alive
SciShow Tangents
Tooth and Claw with Wes Larson
Creature Feature
Snakes Podcasts
Poor Proles Almanac
Science Vs.
Fish of the Week from USFWS
Sawbones
Following the Tracks
In Defense of Plants
Relax With Animal Facts
The Birdy Bunch
Beyond Blathers: A Critter Pod
Radiolab
Fire University
Deer University
Completely Arbortrary
The Wild with Chris Morgan
Unexplainable
Rewildling Earth
Into the Wilderness with Byron Pace
Common Descent
Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant
National Parks After Dark
So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist
The Science of Birds
Huberman Lab
Snake Talk
Unnatural History Channel
Wildlife Health Connections
How do you deal with/avoid burnout at work/grad school?
Ask A Biologist Monday 5/23/23
Answers from Biologists:
Don’t check work email outside of work.
Turn off your work phone outside of work hours.
Take ALL your paid time off.
Set a clear working schedule and stick to it.
Never feel bad for taking a vacation.
Make friends outside of the field.
In grad school I set aside time just for me every week.
Find time to spend with friends and family. FaceTime if you can’t physically meet.
I don’t answer my work phone outside of working hours unless it’s an emergency.
I go camping in an area with no cell service, ideally with a river.
Try not to schedule seasonal jobs back to back.
Have a strong support system (family/friends) who will be there for you.
Make sure I’m spending free time in alignment with my goals-no mindless scrolling.
Boundaries. I work hard and if I don’t get everything done that means it can wait.
Being strict with separating work and life. No calls etc. after working hours.
Having a solid morning and night routine helps prioritize putting my needs first.
Not using my career as a biologist as my only identity.
Turn off email notifications on evenings/weekends. Helps turn my brain off my thesis.
Using my PTO or even taking unpaid days off if I’ve been working a bunch of overtimes.
Establishing clear boundaries for myself and others about when I will check/respond to work emails.
Set boundaries with your time.
Use your leave without feeling guilty about it.
Prioritizing time for my hobbies. Makes me feel human again and then I’m more productive.
Grad school part time while working full time. My mental health is way better even if it will take 4 years.
Retrained myself to see sleep as a necessity NOT a luxury.
Chinese martial arts and painting.
Boundaries. I make space for what makes me feel like myself.
Get a work cell phone. It was a game changer for me.
Hobbies.
If you have sick days, don’t feel bad about using them as mental health days.
Find time to get out of the office and do things you love. I try to get outside/go birding.
I need a sport or past time, preferably one where I’m unreachable. Currently it’s surfing.
Ask for help. Learn to delegate tasks to others.
Talk to others about your struggles. You’re not alone.
Reframe the way you look at work-it truly is just a job and you are more than your career.
Take breaks throughout your day. Step away and go for a walk or play a video game.
Exercising. It keeps me sane!
Making myself good meals/snacks. It’s such a nice break and makes me feel better.
Prioritize sleep.
What are your resume tips/resume building tips?
Ask A Biologist Monday 5/15/23
Answers from Biologists:
Get examples from others that have success in finding programs or work.
Use tables in Word to organize, align, and format more easily.
Don’t include an address. It may make them pick someone located closer than you.
Highlight words from the job announcement and address each qualification in your resume.
Keep your resume up to date by adding accomplishments as you earn/complete them.
Include a list of relevant skills.
Put dates next to trainings to show when you took them.
Don’t include a photo. It’s just asking for bias to happen.
List experience from most recent and include job duties.
USAjobs is very specific. Take a workshop or ask someone who has gotten through to help.
Always get another set of eyes on it to check for grammatical/formatting errors.
Try to get a professional in the field to check for content.
Ask around for opportunities on different projects outside of what you do.
Asking on Twitter if anyone could look at my resume gave me the best advice/connections.
Use your cover letter to explain your resume and connect the dots.
Include at least 3 reliable and relevant references on your resume with contact information.
Reach out to current/previous employers about what stood out to them when hiring you and what to improve.
Let your references know that you’re applying to positions and that they might be contacted.
Do cause and effect on past jobs. I did “A” that resulted in “B”.
Have a master document of everything you’ve done that you add to over time.
Quantify your tasks. “I banded X birds per week while training X technicians”.
Color code your drafts to know what to include for different roles.
Highlight relevant skills from all of your jobs.
Start tracking all your wildlife observation/handling hours in excel. Permits require detail.
Tailor it to the job/niche you’re applying for.
Always have someone proofread it.
You don’t have to limit it to one page.
Bullet statements and concise phrases make reading easier for hiring panel.
Include your name as the header/footer on each page.
Do you feel grad school was/is worth it? Why/why not?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/8/23
Yes-it allowed me to change careers, break into the field, and land a permanent federal job.
Yes-Grad school gives you soft skills you don’t learn at tech jobs (planning, writing, etc.)
Yes-It teaches you how to run a full on scientific project from start to finish.
Although it was stressful and challenging, yes. I landed a permanent job because of it.
It’s possible to get a permanent position without grad school, but you’re often more limited in ability to change jobs/be promoted.
Make sure you have experience too. Higher degrees without it may not get you the job.
Not everyone can afford a higher degree. Been on hiring panels and the right experience my go further.
Yes IF it is a thesis based MS. Otherwise you’re just taking more classes and paying for it.
I got a state biologist job without grad school but all my peers have master’s.
As bad as grad school is, I think it’ll be worth the job security once I’m on the other side.
Yes-it helped me with critical thinking and improving, planning and data management tools.
Yes-it helped me to learn how to apply for and manage a grant.
It was not for me. The massive toll it took on my mental health outweighs the benefits I got.
Yes-many well paid permanent positions now require an MS.
Yes BUT get experience between undergrad and grad school or you’ll end up both under and over qualified.
Yes-It gave me the experience and confidence to lead project (with a supportive advisor).
Yes-if you take the time and effort needed to find a good advisor and project/program.
It was worth it for the learning experience alone. It’s still hard to get jobs (but easier than without).
Yes-It gives you a safer environment to fail in and a group to guide you along the way.
Yes-it shows commitment to science.
Brutal but yes-MS was required for my first non-seasonal job
Yes-Project management skills.
Yes-It opened more doors for me afterwards. I networked heavily and it paid dividends.
Yes-was taken more seriously as soon as I started my MS. Landed a job, finished online.
Yes-It put me in the running for permanent over seasonal jobs and let me get my professional cert.
Yes-It helped me realize I was smart and capable enough to be in this career field.
I was able to get a Forest Service job without grad school. It can be done.
Depends, but no for me. I was able to land my permanent with a BSc and 5 seasons of work.
Yes-Having it on the resume increases pay rate (federal).
Yes-if your employer pays for it.
Yes-It helped me to make important connections in the field.
Depends on what kinds of jobs you want to do. It definitely opens a lot of doors and is good for networking.
If you choose the non-thesis route, be sure to work simultaneously in a relevant job.
Currently in grad school. As someone who has been a tech for 10+ years, definitely worth it.
You can get a permanent job without it, but it often takes longer and your pay is lower and duties are more basic.
Yes-I’ve been able to make a lot of connections and was even able to get the DFP (Doctorate Fellowship Program) this year.
Yes-and I didn’t finish. But the skills I learned and courses I took got me where I am now (federal job).
It really depends on where you want to go with your career. But if you want to-talk to current grad students.
Yes-It allowed me to get a permanent fulfilling job. Lots of important biologist skills too.
Yes-but get some work experience before diving into a program. Helped me recognize opportunities.
Currently pursuing an MS after 5 years as a full time state bio. So far so good. Love being back in school.
Yes for career. No for mental health.
The first time no. The second time, yes. Different season in life, perspective, and experience.
Yes-I wouldn’t have my career without the degree, but also my program was fun.
Yes BUT I think working beforehand was critical to it being worth it.
Fundamentally yes because it’s on many job requirements and I want this career.
Yes-transferrable project management tools that give you bargaining power.
Depends on the end goal. In today’s times, and MS is worth it. PhD depends on dream job.
Yes and no. It took a HUGE toll on my health but I made friends and it qualified me for a higher federal job rating.
It might have. I had a BA but my eco firm only promoted MS and PhDs.
Helped me learn I have ADHD because of all the decisions I made, so that’s good.
You can sometimes get a permanent position without and MS but duties are often tech level still.
Ways to make field housing/camp feel more like home?
Ask A Biologist Monday 05/1/2023
Answers from Biologists:
Food food food and a fridge for cold beer after a hot day in the field.
Decorating your space even if you’re only going to be in the housing a few months.
Hanging up one or two pieces of art.
An extra cozy blanket and hot water bottle.
A tapestry.
I have all my friends sign my field pack so I can always have them with me in new places.
Always bring a fan (never know the A/C situation) and a lamp (for cozy lighting.
Supplies for your hobbies. Painting, crafting, whatever it may be bring it.
I always travel with a small library of my favorite books.
Playing your favorite music (as long as you’re not disturbing roommates or anyone nearby).
Organize fun dinner nights with your roommates.
String lights. Makes a room feel cozy.
Venture out into the area you’re living in your free time.
Make your own small travel box of kitchen essentials.
Organize your clothes so you don’t feel like you’re living out of a suitcase.
A rug, some framed art.
Put together a nice shower caddy with cozy bath towels.
A good pillow. Getting a good night’s sleep away from home can be hard but a good pillow helps.
Small creature comforts, like my hammock and a book.
A way to watch your favorite shows or movies (even downloading them sometimes).
My books, paints, and tea.
If you can spare the weight, actual dishware. Eating off a real plate makes a big difference in comfort.
Having a colorful blanket. I always brought a fun quilt for that homey feel.
Find a local cafe/pub and make it a point to start late or kick off early once a a week for some R&R.
Have friends/family send care packages. Makes remote supply drops more exciting.
Maintaining some sort of routine, like morning workouts.
Find a time to get away for video calls to loved ones.
Real sheets and blanket instead of a sleeping bag on a bare matress.
Board games to play with coworkers.
Hot water in a Nalgene to cuddle with in your sleeping bag.
Photos/postcards of home to decorate with.
A good mug and blanket for comfort.
A few real pictures in frames and my own pillow and bedding.
Slippers.
Ditch the sleeping bag for real blankets.
Make your bed cozy with lots of pillows and blankets.
Get to know the locals.
Don’t be afraid to adventure around on your own.
Best/most important summer fieldwork items?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/24/23
Answers from Biologists:
Deet.
A decent hat.
Anti-itch cream for those inevitable bug bites.
Eye protection.
Technu for encounters with poison ivy/oak.
Eye protection.
Polarized wraparound sunglasses. Glare destroys you.
Kula cloth for folks who squat when they pee.
Make sure your spare tire has air and is structurally sound.
Tick repellent. Ensure your clothes are soaked in permethrin, use deet, or other approved repellents.
Chapstick.
Hats.
Infinite socks.
Neon flagging tape for keys and phones.
Big dumb hat. Good for sun, good for rain.
Wide brimmed hat.
Buff/bandana.
Sun gloves.
A good mosquito and biting insect protection system.
Sun gloves. A game changer.
A packable rain poncho. Finishing a day of fieldwork while soaked is the worst.
Quality pair of sunglasses. The eye strain is real on a bright day.
Cooling buffs and ice paces to use for palmar cooling.
Snake boots or snake gaiters. They can be hot but better safe than sorry.
M&Ms. Little sugar boost that doesn’t melt all over the place like other candy.
An extra pair of socks. Switching to clean socks at lunch time is a morale boost.
If you’re in an exposed area (esp. desert)-sun hoodie.
Snacks, snacks, and more snacks.
Dermatone for sun/wind protection.
Permethrin wash-in for clothing as bug repellent.
Snacks. And backup snacks.
Headlamp. If my day runs long, I don’t want to be headed back to the truck in the dark.
Seconding sunscreen/sun protective clothing (Bio diagnosed w/skin cancer at 28).
Mouthwash. I always get something disgusting in my mouth by accident.
Tall, non-synthetic socks to tuck your pants into (love smart wool).
A tick key.
So much insect repellent. I prefer Picaridin since it’s DEET-free.
A well stocked first aid kit-duct tape and some tweezers (especially in the desert_.
Mosquito net/hat.
Comfy boots/shoes. Nothing ruins a long day like getting blisters or skin rubbed raw halfway through.
Sunscreen.
Snacks.
Bug repellent.
Some candy or a cookie. The extra dopamine can really help on a tough field day.
Sunglasses. Especially if working on the water.
Multi tool that’s easily accessible. Never know when you’ll need it.
5 gallon water cooler to refill your water bottle throughout the day.
Bug spray and calamine lotion.
Appropriate footwear and clothing items for your environment.
Appropriate ways to carry gear.
Bug jacket for the wetlands.
Sunscreen chapstick.
A wide brimmed hat that covers the back of your neck. Sun protection is important.
Electrolyte packets to toss in water bottles. Gotta stay hydrated.
Powdered gatorade in addition to water. Restore those salts you sweat out.
Tick protection-permethrin treated clothes, spray, long socks).
Lightweight white long sleeve shirt.
Insulating water bottle.
Wet bandana on back of neck.
Freeze your extra water at the beginning of the day so it stays cold.
Comfy shoes and rubber boots for wet days.
DEET.
Hat.
Insulated water bottle.
Extra water, especially if it ends up being a longer day in the field than expected.
Liquid IV. If you’re covering a lot of ground, you need more than water.
Extra underwear and socks.
What makes a tech stand out to you for a future rehire/permanent position?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/17/23
Answers from Biologists:
The ability to take constructive criticism.
Make the management’s job easier, not harder.
In the end, it’s a personal connection.
Doing something productive during slow times without being asked or directed. Clean, organize, prep.
Look, problem solve, think before you ask a question. Ask questions with a potential solution so I know you thought process.
Great people skills.
Follow-through.
Leadership.
People skills. They’re so important in our field.
They can admit when they’ve made a mistake and learn from it.
A willingness to learn.
Work well with others.
A positive attitude is critical.
Being a self-starter and a hardworking individual.
Takes direction well but still asks questions when uncertain.
Self-motivation. Continuing to self-learn and maintain curiosity about the field and areas of interest.
They create/enforce their own work/life boundaries.
They mesh well with our current permanent staff.
Positivity. If it’s raining and cold and they’re still like “yeah, I’m so excited to see such and such”.
Willing to be okay with not knowing, yet confident in their ability to learn.
Communication.
Willingness to try new things.
Asking lots of questions shows they are committed to doing something directly.
Knows their limitations/weaknesses and works to improve them.
Positive attitude.
Flexible with schedule changes.
Can work independently without oversight.
Work well with team members.
Positive attitude.
Good communicator.
Problem solving when you can’t get ahold of a supervisor. If you can fix the problem yourself, it says a lot.
Interpersonal skills. I can teach how to survey, but I can’t teach how to resolve conflict kindly.
Good problem solving skills. Things happen in the field that we can’t always predict.
Attention to safety protocols.
On time, ready to go.
Time management skills.
A good attitude. Some days are tough but good attitudes help.
They’re genuinely interested in and passionate about the work.
Independence/problem solving. That’s the number one key to getting rehired and moving up.
Responsive to questions.
Present at work.
Shows initiative.
Asking a lot of questions.
Ability to think critically.
Problem solving.
Wanting to understand why we do the work we do.
Wanting to be mentored.
Ability to collaborate effectively with First Nations.
Once a protocol is learned, a tech stays consistent in delivering the same quality of work.
Respects people from all backgrounds.