I recently had the once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the TWS annual conference in Hawaii. I felt very lucky to have been able to go, and know it wasn’t possible for many students. I had such a great time and learned a lot and I’d like to pass some of what I learned on to those students who weren’t able to make the trip.
Every year at the annual conference after the student research-in-progress poster session, they hold a student professional mixer where students have to opportunity to mingle with professionals in the their field, to scope out jobs, look for graduate advisors and seek general advice.
Often these mixers start off feeling a little awkward for students, who conglomerate into groups with other students they traveled with. Breaking the ice can be a little difficult, but so much can be gained if one is willing to step out and chat it up with professional. I don’t find it the easiest thing in the world to walk up and start a conversation with folks I don’t know, but I braved it this year and gleaned some useful tips from professionals on what they look for in students and recent graduates. I spoke with a few folks and this is what they had to say.
Bob Lanka from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Scott Lerich from the National Wild Turkey Federation were kind enough to offer some insights on what they like to see from students applying for jobs.
· First and foremost, students looking for wildlife jobs should be willing to get dirty, be outside in all weather conditions and be happy doing it (that’s easy right, that’s why we got into this field!).
· Practical knowledge of wildlife that doesn’t come from text books; grades are important but real life experience is critical.
· Hunting; you don’t need to be a hunter and if you’re a vegetarian that’s great, but it’s important to understand the value of hunting and what sportsmen offer to wildlife management.
· Common sense and outdoor skills; professionals want to know they are hiring someone they can send out in the wilderness and not worry about them. Skills like driving a manual transmission and orienteering are incredibly valuable. First aid, CPR and even Wilderness First Responder are certifications everyone should try to get and keep updated.
· Communication skills, both oral and written! You have to be able to communicate with people in order to build credibility, because it’s hard to gain and easy to lose, and if you plan on working for an agency or a non-profit, you will have to deal with the public and landowners. It is crucial to have real listening skills, even when someone disagrees with you and may not respect you or your organization. Without the ability to listen and establish a relationship with the people you work with and around you will not be successful.
· Being professional is another aspect of communication and is essential in today’s modern world. Maintaining your cool and projecting a professional demeanor even in controversial situations shows that you are really serious about your job.
· Despite the emphasis on field experience and practical skills, the knowledge you gain from your classes at university is essential. Core classes like mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology and especially botany and other plant related classes are key. Many students I know complain about habitat and botany classes, but without habitat there is no wildlife. Know your plants!
· Last but not least is involvement with your professional society. If you’re a doctor, you should be involved with medical associations; if you’re a lawyer, you should be part of the bar association; likewise wildlife professionals should be actively involved in TWS. As a student, you can be involved by running for board positions for your student chapter. If your university doesn’t have a student chapter, you can establish one! You need at least ten full-time students from your school, a faculty advisor or two, and a set of bylaws created for chapter conduct approved by The Wildlife Society Council. To get started contact your local professional chapter or your section’s Student Affairs Committee. Many times local chapters also welcome students on their boards, and any time you have the chance to attend a conference you should take it. Hawaii may be too far for many, but every year the National and Section Conferences are held in a variety of locations and student travel grants are available through Nationals, Sections, and often Chapters as well.
After talking with Bob and Scott I felt like they offered a ton of great advice but I also wanted to know what graduate advisors might be after in their students. For that, I spoke with Dr. Anna Chalfoun from University of Wyoming, Professor in zoology and physiology. She offered this advice to those of you out there looking for a graduate assistantship.
· Be engaged, motivated and professional!
· Today schools are more competitive than ever, so those G.P.A.’s and G.R.E. scores are more important than ever.
· Get out and volunteer, get research experience any way you can. Try to focus on your interests if you know what they are, but most important get out in the field.
· If you are applying to a graduate lab, know what they do, read about the research they’ve done and projects other graduate students have done. Address each lab individually; never send generic letters.
· Rather than spending energy telling them why you would be such a great addition to their lab, try to emphasize how your relationship can be mutually beneficial.
· Try not to be too focused on your favorite taxon; think more about how you want to study things, from what perspective you want to examine questions. Be flexible! Master’s degrees don’t need to be exactly what you want to do with your career, but they offer a chance to hone your skills, get experience writing and analyzing, and narrowing your focus.
· Try to find funded projects (no kidding right?) There’s lots of work out there with funding if you are willing to be flexible about what you study.
· Be respectful and convey that you understand what an investment it takes from graduate advisors to take on students; never take anything for granted.
With that I bid you aloha and hope you can make it to your next section conference and the National Conference next year in Portland Oregon!
