Wildlife Biologist career

I have been out of college for almost 3 years now, been working at my current job for 2.5 years. I have a B.S. degree in wildlife biology. Before I landed my current job, I applied for 40+ jobs. I urge you to start getting experience now. I had a lot of experience working internships and summer jobs under biologist and volunteering a lot. I was able to compete with masters students with the amount of experience I had. I also wouldn't concentrate on just biology. Anything extra you bring to the table can help. Since you will be spending time outside and often alone, being able to fix stuff and be handy with project can really give you an edge. Some skills that help me out on a regular basis include using power tools, welding, mechanic work, using hand tools, being able to do general maintenance work on equipment, vehicles, and buildings. Computer skills are a plus especially GIS. Also look beyond game animals. Learn as much as you can now. I really love what I do, I must since the pay is low, but I wouldn't even consider a different career.
 
I can't tell you what it is like to be a biologist. I started Animal Science, switched to Wildlife Mgmt for two years, and then back to Animal Science after I starting asking my advisor how much pay and what the chances of getting a job out of college would be. My world is dairy. Instant job placement to anyone with some common sense, work ethic and half a brain.

Fact of the matter is that I would rather be judged on character than more letters behind your name. I don't care how hard the job market gets, employers are ALWAYS looking for good people. Unless you work for the govt /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

DD
 
I have a B.S in Wildlife & Fisheries Science, minors in Chem and Biology. There alot of jobs out there in regards to this major but most of them are only temporary jobs. I have worked as a Temporary Elk Biologist, Black Bear Trapper, Mt Lion/Elk Tech. And several upland and waterfowl species. In every job I got I had to move and most were under 2000/month. But the feeling I got when I walked up on that yearling cub in a leg hold snare with the momma sitting feet away (not in a trap) will never be matched by something I would do in the office. I kinda shifted paths I currently work as an Animal Control Officer. They pay alot more, work with animals, your outside just as much. And its one of the fastest growing fields in the US.
 
Lots of sound advice here, son. Listen to it all. Most importantly, if you're serious about a career in this field, a minimum of a Masters is required these days, if not a Ph.D.. I got my B.S. in 1987 with my goals set on law enforcement. During college, I worked for a private group studying raptors, specifically great horned owls. In 1986, I was the youngest presenter at the Raptor Research Foundation Conference in Florida. It was there that I was offered a sponsorship to McGill University in Canada. I didn't go. Looking back, I should have decided otherwise. But, I've worked a number of interesting careers in my life and now am an employee of the federal government. I get 11 holidays a year, five weeks of vacation, and am in the 90th percentile of per capita incomes in my community, so I'm taking care of my family well. After school I interviewed for an Agent's position with the state of Missouri and was 1 of 250 people interviewing for 12 jobs. There were over 2500 applicants. I don't think the field is any less crowded today as it was back then. Sounds like the professors are still giving the same negative advice. LOL

If I could give you one piece of advice today, it would be to make the effort to meet as many people in the field as you can. Better yet, make sure they know you and your name. Despite what others will tell you, success is about a fourth WHAT you know, a fourth WHO you know, and at least HALF who knows YOU. When an opportunity opens somewhere out there, you need to have shaken enough hands and impressed enough people that one of them will think of you as the perfect person to fill that vacancy. Someone you meet in the next five years who you think is just a passing acquaintance will someday have an astronomical impact on your life.
 
That is what I used to do, I have my BS in wildlife managment but now teach high school biology. Beleive it or not a teacher makes more than WL biologist do. I loved working in the field but it would have been really hard on a wife and kids because I was gone a lot and always out in the boonies. Now I get home by 4 and have 2.5 months off in the summer, Not to bad.

If you do not care about money and have a women who does not care if your gone, heck ya it is a great choice.
 
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