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Resources for Wildlife Majors |
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The Wildlife Society (TWS) This is the professional society that connects practicing wildlife managers with scientists and students through conferences, workshops, peer-reviewed and informal publications, and a jobs listserv. TWS administers a certification program for professional wildlife biologists that students entering the field should be aware of early in their career (follow the certification link through the national chapter website). The society also issues press releases and position statements related to wildlife management, influencing policy on important wildlife conservation issues. After you leave ESF, TWS is your link to your profession—so get involved early and stay involved throughout your career! What kind of job might you get after graduation? Follow the Career Center link through the TWS site to find out!
The Wildlife Society—National Chapter
In addition, through the student chapter of TWS at ESF you have access to wildlife conclaves—technical workshops, quiz bowls, and other events that network you to professionals and student groups from around the northeastern US. As of this writing (August 2010) ESF held the title of quiz bowl champion for both the Northeast and NY State (and we have the peacock and moose antler to prove it)!
The student chapter of TWS at ESF just turned 40 years old! To celebrate we are hosting a “Wildlife Career Speaker Series”, if you are on campus this year be sure to catch these informal talks. If you are an aspiring student, stay tuned to the student chapter website because in the near future we’ll be posting interviews with career speakers so you too can learn about the diversity of jobs held by wildlife professionals and what a day in the life of these professionals looks like.
Networking Conferences hosted by fish and wildlife organizations provide an important forum for learning about current research, issues, and management programs for wildlife professionals. They provide a fantastic networking opportunity for aspiring biologists (that’s you!), and I encourage you to attend as many conferences as possible while at ESF. Students involved in independent research can present their research at these conferences as well, providing an excellent professional experience to help round out your resume. The student chapter of TWS often arranges transportation to and from these conferences to help defray the costs of participation. But student costs are generally much lower than the cost to professionals, so take advantage of that. Here are links to a few of the regional conferences of interest to wildlife students.
Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
The NY Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Northeast Natural History Conference
And each year members of the ESF student chapter of TWS compete in the quiz bowls at the National Conference, which this year was held in Snowbird, Utah. See the national chapter website for the location of future conferences.
Keep in touch with Fish and Wildlife management in NY State Sign-up to receive Field Notes from the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. This email list service provides information on programs, regulation changes, activities, and recreational opportunities associated with the management of fish, wildlife, and marine resources in NY State. Through this link you also may sign up to the NY Big Game listserv to receive information specific to bear and deer biology, management, research, regulations and hunting. Female students also may be interested in the Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program, with information provided through the Field Notes link above.
Search for Wildlife Jobs Searching job sites can help you see the range of possible opportunities awaiting you on the other side of your degree program. These sites include short-term and permanent, paid and non-paid, volunteer and professional positions as well as graduate school opportunities. When an opportunity to work or volunteer on any research projects in my lab comes up, I post that opportunity on these sites rather than on the bulletin board. So check these sites often!
The Wildlife Society Jobs Board
Society for Conservation Biology Jobs Board
Ecological Society of America Jobs Board
In addition, TWS provides information and links on a number of internship opportunities.
Other opportunities ... Most everything I know about in terms of paid/unpaid job and research opportunities (and so much more!) is posted at the sites listed above, but occasionally there is some local work or internship opportunity that doesn’t make it to the boards. I circulate these through the student chapter of TWS listserv, which you can subscribe to through the ESF Student Chapter.
Also, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) hosts GrantsNet, which is a search engine for funding, internship, and other opportunities. TWS offers a GrantsNet interface for wildlife students … check it out!
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Photo: Ian Trewella and John Vanek, ESF ‘10, awaiting their turn in the national TWS Quiz Bowl in Monterey, California. |