Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka: Recent Episodes
fancyscientist
Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist. Hit subscribe and let’s change the world!
Conducting accurate and meaningful observations are a CRITICAL part of being a scientist. In this video, learn how to conduct DETAILED observations in nature. Discover the benefits of nature journaling and using a camera to capture intricate things you wouldn't notice.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/143-observe-like-a-scientist/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
It’s well known that careers in wildlife, conservation, and the environment are incredibly competitive. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a job to have hundreds of applicants. So you might be surprised to hear that there are jobs that are difficult for employers to fill. Yes, difficult! (insert mind blown emoji here). To be honest, I was surprised too.
Today’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast is inspired by this recent insight, and it came about through a new connection on LinkedIn. Dr. Patrick Raney, the Director of Conservation Programs in the Great Lakes Atlantic region of Ducks Unlimited, and I were messaging each other about conservation jobs, and he mentioned that it had actually been difficult for him to find qualified applicants to fill certain positions Given that so many people are struggling to get jobs, I immediately thought that this was wonderful news and that I needed to have him on the podcast to learn more and help those in need.
As the Director of Conservation Programs in the Great Lakes Atlantic region of Ducks Unlimited, Patrick leads wetland restoration and mitigation efforts to restore habitat, protect biodiversity, and ensure that long-term conservation wins for both wildlife and communities.
In this episode, you’ll learn about Patrick’s winding career path to Ducks Unlimited and early interest in conservation. We also talk a lot about what I am now calling “wildlife adjacent careers,” that is, careers that are related to wildlife work, but are not necessarily directly involved in research. This includes fields that you might not think of when it comes to helping wildlife, in this case, careers in engineering that rebuild wetland habitats.
Patrick initially trained as a plant biologist and started his journey at the early age of 16 with a summer camp job that he demanded (yes, demanded!). It’s a great story that you won’t want to miss. In it, he demonstrates his unstoppable attitude towards going after your wildlife career, which is CRITICAL in this field. We also follow his career progression through various roles in environmental science and research.
We talk in-depth about Patrick’s work at Ducks Unlimited, how he uses different strategies to support wetland species, and especially ducks. You’ll learn how Ducks Unlimited approaches wetland conservation, working with stakeholders, and achieving results that are a win-win for wildlife and partners.
Throughout the conversation, Patrick offers a lot of valuable advice for early professionals in wildlife careers. We cover the importance of volunteering and building experience, and that a little goes a long way, as well as the value of transferable skills from non-wildlife jobs in environmental careers. Patrick shares advice on the importance of networking and even making proactive job applications. He mentions that he occasionally hires candidates who reach out directly, even if there are no immediate positions available!
Given that we met each other over LinkedIn, we also go into the importance of this platform, which I have become obsessed with recently. Ever since I took some training and developed my own LinkedIn for Wildlife Careers Masterclass, I have been using and loving LinkedIn. He talks about how he believes it is a powerful career tool, and uses it for job recruitment offering you tips on how you can use LinkedIn to your advantage.
If you’re interested in wildlife careers, you’re going to get a lot of specific and concrete advice on how to approach your career, as well as creative ideas to think differently than others to set yourself apart. And if you’re not on a wildlife career track, you’re going to learn about important conservation practices that work and successful wetland restoration efforts.
Specifically, we go over:
- What wildlife adjacent jobs are and how to think about careers in conservation
- Patrick’s work at Ducks Unlimited and what they do as an organization to protect wildlife
- How Patrick got started in wildlife work and the unexpected turns his career took
- How you can get started in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers
- The importance of volunteering and how to make it work for you, even with limited time and resources
- How Ducks Unlimited works with various stakeholders to achieve conservation success What jobs are in demand for wildlife careers
- Creative ways to set yourself apart from others to secure experience, jobs, and more
- Making LinkedIn an asset to network, connect with others, and share your professional achievements
- And MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/142-patrick-raney/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction and Inspiration
02:19 Meet Camilla Price
02:38 Camilla's Background and Career Path
07:07 The Journey to the NSF GRFP Grant
10:07 Developing the Research Proposal
13:44 Methodology and Broader Impacts
18:27 Seeking Help and Finalizing the Application
22:48 The Joy of Receiving the Grant
23:57 Choosing the Right Program
24:26 Reaching Out to Professors
26:50 Advisors and Research Projects
29:43 Backup Plans and Career Strategies
33:32 Final Tips and Reflections
38:18 Networking and Taking Initiative
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
t’s fall, which means the leaves are falling off the trees and soon they’ll be on the ground. But don’t throw those leaves out! Here you’ll learn how leaves are a valuable resource for wildlife. In this video, we’re going to get curious about and explore the beautiful transformation of leaves from their normal green into shades of red, orange, and yellow. Have you ever wondered why this happens? And why, after this color change leaves eventually fall off? Then, I’ll talk about why leaves are so important for wildlife and give you tips on what you can do with your leaves to help the animals out around you. You’ll learn that animals like frogs, salamanders, turtles, butterflies, moths, chipmunks, and more use fallen leaves to not only survive, but thrive. As always, I'll provide an activity for you to contribute to real science. You’ll learn how to help scientists track leaf color changes, and when you join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, you’ll get access to this activity with downloadable worksheets and step-by-step instructions, as well as a leaf scavenger hunt to find all of the colors in the canopy. Join me in making a difference for our wildlife!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/141-leave-the-leaves
00:00 Introduction: The Magic of Fall Leaves
01:51 Why Trees Lose Their Leaves
03:14 The Science of Leaf Color Change
04:57 How You Can Help Scientists Track Leaf Changes
06:22 How Leaving the Leaves Benefits Animals
08:36 Simple Actions to Help Wildlife
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
In this special episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, you'll gain access to my free training series, Becoming a Wildlife Professional Training. This 3 part series teaching you the 3 essential factors you need to secure a permanent job in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, or conservation biology careers so that you can do what you love and make a difference is available only until October 23rd until midnight. In Training 1, you'll discover the ineffective patterns and outside influences that are causing you to spin your wheels in your wildlife career…leaving you frazzled, drained, and feeling hopeless. Take the first steps towards creating an effective plan that remains resilient through turbulent times so that no matter what happens in your wildlife career, you’ll know how to push through and get results. You’ll learn why the advice you’ve been given by professors, job websites, and wildlife groups on the Internet is not working for you, that it’s not your fault, and what to do instead. We will set the groundwork for building your wildlife career that leads to results - meaning PAID jobs.
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/135-camilla-price/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction and Inspiration
02:19 Meet Camilla Price
02:38 Camilla's Background and Career Path
07:07 The Journey to the NSF GRFP Grant
10:07 Developing the Research Proposal
13:44 Methodology and Broader Impacts
18:27 Seeking Help and Finalizing the Application
22:48 The Joy of Receiving the Grant
23:57 Choosing the Right Program
24:26 Reaching Out to Professors
26:50 Advisors and Research Projects
29:43 Backup Plans and Career Strategies
33:32 Final Tips and Reflections
38:18 Networking and Taking Initiative
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Did you know that by modern definitions, trees ARE wildlife? Often overlooked, trees are actually living, breathing beings. In this video, we’ll explore how magnificent they are, and I’ll give you some tips to get you started with identifications so that you can get to know the trees around you! We’ll dive into the crucial role that trees play in our survival and the survival of the animals we love.
As the northern hemisphere transitions from summer to fall, it's the ideal time to study deciduous trees as they lose their leaves. I'll guide you through the process of identifying trees by examining their leaves and bark. You'll discover why knowing plants is essential for wildlife biologists, as many animals depend on specific types of trees for food and shelter.
As a special challenge for this week, I encourage you to not only identify the trees around you but also thank and hug a tree, embracing a practice known as forest bathing. This mindfulness activity helps us appreciate the profound impact trees have on our lives and the environment. Join me on this journey to deepen your connection with nature and become more aware of the incredible importance of trees.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/138-ebird/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Trees
01:18 Why Study Trees in Wildlife Biology?
01:43 Trees and Their Role in Animal Habitats
03:01 Appreciating Trees: Oxygen and Climate Change
03:45 How to Identify Trees: Leaves and Bark
05:19 Using Technology for Tree Identification
05:53 Mindfulness and Gratitude: Thanking Trees
06:24 Conclusion: Your Tree Challenge
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Learn my 5 BEST and super easy tips to maximize your bird life list. That is, the number of bird species you see over your life! Birds are amazing because they are everywhere and a fantastic way to get hooked on nature.
In this podcast, you'll discover things like how different habitats, times of day, expert-led walks, and the power of the Merlin Bird ID app can get you finding new species. In fact, during spring migration, I saw 10 new species using these tips. Perfect for both kids and adults alike, these tips will get you birding like a scientist. Bird watching is fun and educational!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/139-bird-life-list/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to the Fancy Scientist Podcast
00:06 Wildlife Biology for Kids Club Overview
00:49 The Importance of Community Science
01:11 Bird Watching Tips and Tricks
01:59 Exploring Different Habitats
02:46 Birding with Experts
03:29 Using Technology for Bird Identification
03:49 Traveling and Bird Watching
04:07 Conclusion and Next Steps
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Learn how to conduct a real bird survey just like wildlife biologists and provide invaluable data for REAL SCIENCE.
In today's episode of the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, I take you through the steps of using eBird, showing you how to contribute important bird data - no matter where you are located in the world.
I will guide you through the process of setting up and conducting your own survey, whether from a single spot or while walking, and show you how to use the eBird app.
You'll also the use the Merlin Bird ID app to help you find and identify more birds.
Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and educational content, and join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club for exclusive worksheets and interaction with me and like-minded parents!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/138-ebird/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to the Fancy Scientist Podcast
00:06 Wildlife Biology for Kids Club Overview
00:49 The Importance of Community Science
01:11 Conducting a Real Bird Survey
02:00 Using eBird and Merlin Bird ID Apps
03:24 Bird Watching Tips and Observations
04:34 Submitting Your Bird Survey Data
05:47 Encouragement and Next Steps
05:57 Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club
06:26 Conclusion and Call to Action
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
When studying birds, you can use two different observational skill sets: sight and SOUND.
In today’s episode of the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, I teach you how to find and identify bird songs with one of my favorite nature apps, Merlin Bird ID developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
I'll show you how easy it is to use and challenge you to find five new bird species using the app's sound identification feature.
Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and educational content, and join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club for exclusive worksheets and interaction with me and like-minded parents!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/137-bird-song/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction & Podcast Overview
01:11 Using Sight and Sound to Identify Birds
01:33 Why Bird Song Matters in Surveys
02:19 Challenges of Learning Bird Songs
02:59 Introducing the Merlin Bird ID App
03:23 How Merlin Bird ID Works
03:54 Live Demo: Using the App
04:33 Why Bird Song Is Key for Similar Species
04:55 Tips for Using Bird Song Recordings Responsibly
05:24 Confirming Bird Song IDs & Challenge
05:48 Migration Season & Upcoming Activities
06:16 How to Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Birds are around us every day, but during migration you have the opportunity to see species that are here for only short windows of time! Once you start looking for birds, you'll realize how many species there are, and you'll want to keep finding more.
In this week's episode of the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, I teach you basic tips on how to find a variety of bird species and the key characteristics to start identification.
You’ll learn about why birds migrate for thousands of miles, the best times and places to find them, and tips on using your observation and listening skills.
Join me in the challenge to find at least five unique bird species and dive into the wonderful world of birdwatching!
Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and educational content, and join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club for exclusive worksheets and interaction with me and like-minded parents!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/136-bird-migration/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to the Fancy Scientist Podcast
00:06 Wildlife Biology for Kids Club Overview
00:49 The Importance of Community Science
01:29 Bird Migration Insights
02:56 Bird Watching Challenge
03:22 Tips for Bird Watching
04:40 Identifying Bird Species
06:27 Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club
06:50 Conclusion and Call to Action
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Today’s podcast episode idea was inspired by an incredible success that I recently discovered from one of my students that I know you’ll be interested in. This episode is highly relevant if you want to go into wildlife careers, especially graduate school, but the lessons that you’ll learn from my student’s experience apply to ANY situation. You’ll learn a winning process that I regularly use with my students that will get you results. In her case, it was an extremely prestigious grant that enabled her to go to basically any graduate school in the US!
You see, I was recently on LinkedIn and happened to notice that one of my former students, Camilla Price, is now going to graduate school. I was so excited for her and ready to congratulate her, when I noticed something even more exciting: that she was the recipient of a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP) grant. But even more exciting than this…she was the recipient after applying to the grant just one time and without having an established advisor to work with. Keep reading to understand why this is such a big deal…
The NSF GRFP grant is a super competitive grant and a HUGE honor. I’ve known people who’ve received the grant and I was even awarded an honorable mention myself when I applied, but I didn’t know anyone who got it BEFORE they started working with an advisor in graduate school, meaning that they did it all on their own!
I cannot emphasize enough what a big deal this is for aspiring students wanting to go to graduate school: if you get it, you can go pretty much wherever you want for graduate school. You have your choice! This NSF grant provides all of your funding and a lack of funding is one of the biggest reasons why so many people seeking to go to graduate school can’t get in. They approach potential graduate advisors and even if the advisors are interested in having another student, if they don’t have the funding, then they can’t take on that student for a Master’s or Ph.D. This was a problem that Camilla was facing.
I was so excited for Camilla – the last we had talked, Camilla had been trying to get into graduate school for a year or more. And I was super intrigued by how she went about writing the NSF GRFP. When I wrote my grant applications, I knew the advisor I would be working with and I had a specific Ph.D. project in mind. Without having a specific advisor to work with and therefore a lab and research area to focus on, how did she know what to write about? How did she do this all on her own? Without the help of an advisor to give her feedback and guidance?
After extending my congratulations to Camilla, I knew I had to invite her to be on the podcast so that we could all share her success and learn the process that she took to gain this great honor.
So many of my followers and students are interested in going to graduate school, and when you listen to Camilla’s tips and tricks, you’ll learn a ton from this episode. Even if you’re not ready to go to graduate school, if you’re looking to get into a wildlife career, you’re going to benefit a lot. And if you’re not interested in wildlife careers, that’s okay too – there’s still so much you can learn from Camilla’s approach to receiving this grant. The strategy that she used is something that I teach in my Successful Wildlife Professional Program: start with the end in mind and work backwards.
Tune in and hear about the strategies Camilla used in order to pick the graduate school of her dreams, and learn about how she settled upon the University of Colorado and chose to study wolverines. Along with Camilla’s advice, I offer some additional tips and key takeaways to really solidify those points, no matter where you are in your career and what you’re going for. These tips work!
Specifically, I go over:
- Camilla’s journey as an early-career professional
- What the the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is and why you should apply before you go to graduate school and even when you get in
- The components of a NSF GRFP proposal and what it’s like to write one
- Camilla’s entire process for creating her research proposal: from concept to submitting
- Strategies for creating a strong proposal
- The importance of networking and how Camilla used it to help her write the strongest proposal possible
- The difference between Broader Impacts and Intellectual Merit: what they are and why they are important in all NSF proposals
- and MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/135-camilla-price/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction and Inspiration
02:19 Meet Camilla Price
02:38 Camilla's Background and Career Path
07:07 The Journey to the NSF GRFP Grant
10:07 Developing the Research Proposal
13:44 Methodology and Broader Impacts
18:27 Seeking Help and Finalizing the Application
22:48 The Joy of Receiving the Grant
23:57 Choosing the Right Program
24:26 Reaching Out to Professors
26:50 Advisors and Research Projects
29:43 Backup Plans and Career Strategies
33:32 Final Tips and Reflections
38:18 Networking and Taking Initiative
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Bees are the heavy lifters in the pollination world, but NOT the honey bees that so many of us think of! It’s native bees, with over 20,000 species worldwide, that are CRITICAL pollinators.
Here we explore bee diversity including bumblebees, carpenter bees, longhorn bees, mining bees, sweat bees, and leaf-cutter bees - each with unique characteristics and roles in nature.
Also, you’ll learn that you can contribute to REAL science by using Project BudBurst to understand the impacts of climate change on pollinators and plants.
Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and educational content, and join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club for exclusive worksheets and interaction with me and like-minded parents!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/132-native-plants-and-pollinators/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to Pollination and Native Plants
01:11 Introduction to Bee Diversity
02:13 The Importance of Observing Bees
03:28 Bumblebees
03:53 Carpenter bees
04:21 Longhorn bees
04:50 Squash bees
05:09 Mining bees
05:44 Sweat bees
06:05 Leafcutter bees
06:18 Citizen Science and Bee Observations
08:02 Conclusion and Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club
If you’re involved in the wildlife or conservation field in any capacity, whether you are a current or aspiring career professional, someone volunteering their time to make the world better for wildlife, or simply just want to learn more to help out, chances are, you’ve struggled with the emotional toll that comes with trying to save a species, cope with the climate change crisis, get plastic out of our system, and the list goes on and on…
Unfortunately, the nature of the conservation field (no pun intended) is inherently dealing with loss. And without giving ourselves the care and attention that we need, in addition to the Earth, these emotions can evolve into chronic conditions.
Anxiety and depression are two such conditions that I have personally struggled with, have learned a lot about over the years, and now have largely overcome (although you’ll notice in this episode I’ve had a lot of ups and downs). Also, I know that I’m not alone.
Today I’m talking about my journey going on and now off of anti-depressants because I know many people in the wildlife field are struggling. I read Facebook posts from my friends who are struggling desperately in graduate school, and of course, I remember my own experiences while getting my PhD. Now, aspiring wildlife professionals are expected to work all the time, constantly put in their all, while their personal health and well-being take a backseat.
Even major scientific journals like Nature and Science have started to take notice and publish many articles about graduate students struggling with mental health disorders. In addition to the challenges associated with biodiversity loss, those working towards becoming wildlife professionals are suffering due to the increased demands put on them driven by intense competition.
This includes more papers to publish, more grant money to bring in, and the pressures of landing a job in this ultra-competitive field. It’s tough for people to deal with. Even for entry-level jobs, expectations are much higher than they were just a couple of decades ago.
In my decades of being in a wildlife and conservation field professional, I used anti-depressants really at the beginning of my career journey to help me cope. I thought there was something wrong with me that I just couldn’t be happy without them. Although they have been a valuable resource for me, in the past few years, I’ve learned so much about my mind and have developed tools, practices, and more that have allowed me to go off of them completely – something I was told by several doctors that I would not be able to do. For today’s podcast episode, I wanted to share this journey with you.
Here, I detail my long and ongoing journey of dealing with anxiety and depression, and what I did to support my mental health to the point of no longer needing antidepressants.I recognize the value of antidepressants, and if you’re currently on antidepressants, I’m not trying to convince you to go off them; rather, this is an episode about engaging in self-care. I provide you with the tools and mindset work that I’ve learned over the years. It’s been truly effective, and the reason behind how I was able to go completely off my antidepressants.
Specifically, I go over:
- How anxiety and depression are related to wildlife and conservation
- How the demands of working in a wildlife career have changed over the years
- Why focusing on mental health is essential and NEEDS to be a high priority for those in wildlife professions
- My personal journey going on and off of antidepressants: why and how I did it
- My favorite books for teaching you how to truly love yourself and restructure your self-talk
- How a healthy lifestyle and nature are essential tools that boost your mental health
- Other mindset tools for dealing with mental health struggles
- The importance of prioritizing your self care and that mental health is health
- And MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/133-mental-health-wildlife/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Conservation
02:07 The Struggles of Mental Health in the Scientific Community
04:18 Personal Journey: Overcoming Antidepressants
10:43 The Importance of Self-Care and Mindset
20:27 Practical Tips for Mental Wellbeing
24:42 The Role of Nature and Exercise
26:35 Mindset Strategies and Emotional Management
37:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Thank you to our sponsor Magic Mind!
60% off First Magic Mind Subscription and 20% off one-time purchase with code FANCYS20
Link to all 200 studies for Magic Mind ingredients
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Pollinators NEED native plants because of their closely tied relationships that are at times millions of years in the making! In this podcast episode, you'll learn why native plants are crucial for pollinators and how non-native plants fall short.
Tune in to discover how plant-pollinator co-evolution was predicted and discovered through incredible examples of plant-pollinator relationships. At the end, I'll challenge you to a fun mini-experiment to see which attracts more pollinators: native or non-native plants.
Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and educational content, and join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club for exclusive worksheets and interaction with me and like-minded parents!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/132-native-plants-and-pollinators/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to Pollination and Native Plants
01:02 The Importance of Native Plants for Pollinators
01:50 Unique Plant-Pollinator Relationships
02:43 Historical Discoveries in Pollination
03:26 Native vs. Non-Native Plants: A Challenge
04:23 Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club
Since 2017, I decided to change my social media handles from @StephSchuttler to @FancyScientist. I was given this name and I loved it! But have you ever stopped and wondered, when coming across my content, what exactly is a Fancy Scientist?
Well, that is what this podcast episode is all about! Despite running this blog for 7 years, changing all of my social accounts, and forming my small business under the same name, I realized I never really told the story of HOW I became known as the Fancy Scientist…
And it’s important to me because over the years, I’ve received emails from numerous members of my audience who’ve read my story and told me that it really resonated with them, that they also didn’t feel like they quite fit in in the wildlife biology field.
My nickname goes back to when I was a postdoc, working on the eMammal project with middle school teachers. To them and their students, I didn’t look like the stereotypical scientist, especially a wildlife biologist. For starters, I’m a woman, and I showed up to work in makeup, high heels, and with sparkly jewelry. Proudly defying these norms, I became known as the Fancy Scientist.
But I didn’t always proudly defy these norms…
Diversity is undoubtedly important in science, and recently, much attention has been given to increasing gender and racial diversity within the sciences. But in this episode, I share how increasing diversity can go even deeper than that and why it’s so important.
When I was in graduate school, my peers tended to have a specific look that I didn’t fit into: field clothes, no makeup, and Chaco sandals. For a while, I dulled my sparkle (literally and figuratively) and toned down my look to fit in. To be honest, suppressing who I was didn’t feel good because I was no longer being true to myself. I just felt down.
But later, when I fully embraced being a Fancy Scientist, and working in the eye of the public in bright colors and glitter, I served as a reminder to both myself and the future generation that you can be both fancy AND a scientist.
As a business owner, I also defined what being a Fancy Scientist means through my company values. And I didn’t want it to be exclusive. What about people who aren’t fancy in the traditional sense that we think of? Can they be Fancy Scientists too?
The answer is yes! What you’ll learn from this episode is that being fancy is more than just makeup and sparkles; it’s about being unexpected, unconventional, and apart from the norm. But most importantly, it’s about the courage to be yourself loudly and proudly!
Specifically, I go over:
- The origin of the name “Fancy Scientist”
- What is a Fancy Scientist, and how I define it to be inclusive
- How the public, especially children, perceives scientists
- The importance of representation and breaking stereotypes in science
- How community science engages the public, especially children
- Mental health and how to be true to yourself
- and MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/131-what-is-a-fancy-scientist/
Jump Links:
00:00 Welcome to the Fancy Scientist Podcast
01:39 Defining the Fancy Scientist
02:25 The Origin of the Fancy Scientist Name
03:36 Citizen Science and Classroom Integration
07:25 Breaking Stereotypes in Science
11:38 Embracing the Fancy Scientist Identity
12:55 The Fancy Scientist Definition
21:19 The Importance of Representation
25:44 Blending Science with Other Passions
29:31 Encouragement to Embrace Your Unique Self
31:13 Conclusion and Call to Action
Thank you to our sponsor Magic Mind!
60% off First Magic Mind Subscription and 20% off one-time purchase with code FANCYS20
Link to all 200 studies for Magic Mind ingredients
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
There’s a huge diversity in the number of animal species that pollinate plants - it’s way more than bees! And most people think of honey bees when it comes to pollination, but they are actually poor pollinators and not native to North America. In this podcast episode, you’ll learn about native pollinators all over the world.
You’re going to be surprised to learn how many there are - from small insects to large mammals and even carnivores. Pollinators are everywhere! I challenge you to watch a plant or scan an area and see how much pollinator diversity you can find.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/130-animal-pollinators/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Sometimes, when you think the worst happens, it can actually be the best thing. For wildlife biologist Jamie Bowles of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, losing her job in the medical field launched her wildlife career…
I met Jamie through LinkedIn. She has been so supportive of my posts, and I quickly recognized that, like me, she prioritized and loved mentoring. With her ample and sage advice about getting into wildlife careers, I knew she would be the perfect guest for the podcast.
Throughout this interview, Jamie calls herself lucky. I don’t think she’s lucky at all. Rather, she did the RIGHT things to set herself up so that when opportunities were available, they were GIVEN to her. As the Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Jamie set herself up for success.
Now having worked at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for nine years, Jamie has held a multitude of different jobs. She started out working in fish, but later moved on to work on everything from habitat, to wolves, to now porcupines, and working with the public. She also did this while being a mom of four!
As you’ll find out from our interview, Jamie had children when she was 18 and went to college after she became a mom. In her wildlife career, she was always going to school and working towards getting this career while balancing it with motherhood, and she has some amazing wisdom about how she did it.
However, Jamie’s story is not without its challenges–she got a later start in her career than more traditional students, having turned to wildlife biology after losing her job in the medical field amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (which she later realized was a blessing in disguise!). She returned to school as a non-traditional student, being older and also a mom.
Although Jamie was aware of these challenges, she didn’t let them hold her back. She was strategic. Through networking, flexibility, and operating with knowledge of a long-term career plan, Bowles was well-prepared when opportunity presented itself. Luck alone would not have gotten her to where she is today!
I have worked with hundreds of students, sharing my over 20 years of knowledge as a wildlife biologist to help them land permanent careers in this field, and I know for a FACT that you don’t need luck to land your dream job – you make it happen.
Jamie’s hard work has led her all over Oregon, working with numerous species of wildlife. From backpacking up the mountains as an intern with fish in bags (yes, fish in bags!), to managing wolf-human relationships, to launching a community science project to document North American porcupine presence, Jamie Bowles has truly done it all! I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode and hear all about the exciting, fun, and crazy stories she has to tell.
Jamie also recognizes that success is not a path that is walked alone. She stresses the importance of mentorship, and we talk all about how to find a mentor, what you can gain from mentorship, and the role it played in her career. Once a mentee, and now a mentor herself, check out Jamie Bowles’ LinkedIn for great advice about wildlife careers!
If you’re interested in wildlife biology, especially as a non-traditional student or career switcher, you will be left inspired following along with Jamie Bowles’ journey and how she got to where she is today. Her resilience will motivate you, and her wisdom will leave you feeling like you, too, can conquer not only the challenges that this field presents but whatever personal obstacles you’re facing as well.
You will learn that Jamie put herself out there, that she was actively networking, and she made opportunities happen for her.
Specifically, I go over:
- Jamie Bowles’ experience working in wildlife biology at the state level and how she landed her first jobs
- What it’s like to work in different types of positions within a state agency, and what it takes to get jobs like those
- The competitive nature of wildlife careers
- The importance of networking and finding good mentors
- How experience and education help you land a permanent position in wildlife careers
- Crazy experiences she’s had while on the job
- What it’s like working with wolves
- Her experiences working in wildlife biology as a mom of four
- And MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/129-jamie-bowles/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
01:34 The Fancy Scientist: Embracing the Title
03:44 Jamie’s Role at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
04:58 Career Path: From Intern to District Wildlife Biologist
13:44 The Importance of Networking in Wildlife Careers
14:53 Volunteering and Gaining Experience
18:04 LinkedIn for Wildlife Careers Masterclass
21:51 Fisheries: A Gateway to Wildlife Careers
23:47 Pursuing a Master's Degree in Wildlife
25:13 Overcoming Educational Gaps in Wildlife Careers
25:50 The Sierra Nevada Red Fox Project
26:15 Pursuing Higher Education in Wildlife Management
27:19 Career Opportunities Without a Master's Degree
28:38 The North American Porcupine Project
31:14 Working as an Assistant Wolf Biologist
34:12 Balancing Motherhood and a Wildlife Career
39:29 Unusual and Memorable Wildlife Experiences
41:32 The Importance of Mentorship in Wildlife Careers
45:56 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
You’ve heard about the importance of pollinators, but what exactly is it? When you learn what pollination consists of, you’ll quickly realize it truly is a miracle of nature! This week on the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, we’re diving into the fascinating world of pollination—how it happens, who some pollinators are, and why it's essential for our survival. You'll discover how pollen travels from the anthers to the stigma to create seeds, and why this process is vital for the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and even the medicines we take. I’ll challenge you to find pollination in action right in your own backyards!
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/128-pollination/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
When we think about saving the environment, kids aren’t typically the first thing that comes to mind for most people – especially when it comes to fiction books written for children. But maybe that’s an important missing link…
I’ve been seeing more and more scientists coming out with children’s books, and to be completely honest, it’s something I’ve thought about myself! In fact, I remember reading the book 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth, and it had a profound impact on me.
You see, over my 20 years of working in science, first as a researcher and then leading a citizen science program focused on middle school kids, I realized that science alone cannot save a species.
For most species, the solutions to their conservation challenges are embedded in how people view wildlife whether it’s from an educational, political, economic, or cultural lens. And it’s difficult to change adults’ minds.
By working on such conservation issues over the years and understanding their root cause, the importance of keeping children interested in nature from a young age has become more and more clear to me.
When kids love nature early on, it sets them up to be lifelong environmental advocates, stewards of nature, and conservationists. While adults tend to have their minds made up, kids are still curious; they’re still learning about the world and how it works.
That’s where children’s author Rosanne Parry comes in. She connects children to nature through the fiction novels that she writes. Rosanne has authored books such as A Wolf Called Wander, a #1 Indie Best Seller, A Wolf Called Fire, a 2025 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, and A Horse Named Sky, which debuted on the New York Times Middle Grade Hardcover Best Sellers List at #4, continuing on the list for over 30 weeks.
Rosanne's books are written from the perspective of different animals, including orcas, mustangs, and more. She conducts thorough research on the species to ensure scientific accuracy, but crafts stories from fiction, allowing children to view the world and understand it from an animal’s perspective, ultimately creating empathy.
If you’re interested in publishing, reaching a younger audience, or learning about how kids are key to saving and supporting our environment, you won’t want to miss this interview with Rosanne Parry. I finished this podcast feeling inspired by her story. She has great advice not just for aspiring authors, but also for how getting interested in nature.
Specifically, I go over:
- Rosanne Parry’s journey to becoming a children’s author
- How she comes up with ideas for her best-selling books
- Her research process before writing so that her material is scientifically accurate, while engaging
- What her writing process is like and how she goes about it
- How she makes a living as an author
- Tips for writing and publishing a children’s book
- The differences between self-publishing and working with a publisher
- And MORE!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/127-rosanne-parry/
Jump Links:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
02:15 The Journey to Becoming a Children's Author
03:55 Balancing Writing and Family Life
07:05 The Inspiration Behind Animal-Centric Stories
09:47 Writing Process and Research
16:18 Publishing Children's Books: A Guide
22:29 Exploring Middle Grade Books
22:47 Challenges of Writing for Young Children
23:47 Inspiring Young Readers and Writers
26:40 Citizen Science and Nature Exploration
29:16 Female Perspectives in Science
35:19 The Financial Realities of a Writing Career
39:51 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Chances are, you've seen the headlines that the dire wolf is no longer extinct. The company Colossal Biosciences claims to have brought it back from extinction in the form of three living, breathing dire wolf pups.
But my headlines have actually been flooded with scientists saying “not so fast…” so what is really going on here?
Having studied African forest elephants using genetics during my Ph.D., a species related to the extinct woolly mammoth and a target of de-extinction efforts, this topic has long been on my mind to discuss on the podcast.
Given the recent dire wolf news, I’ve been getting so many questions about this, that I thought it would be a great time to discuss this and prepared this episode as soon as I could (despite a myriad of technical difficulties).
De-extinction is the concept of bringing back a fully extinct species back to life and as you’ve seen now as evidenced from the dire wolves, scientists are actively working on it. But should they be? And why?
First, I break down the dire wolf headlines, offering insight into the scientific process of de-extinction as a whole, how the team at Colossal Biosciences approached de-extinction and why, and how most scientists feel about their result: Are these really dire wolves?
I then open up to a larger conversation about de-extinction: why are scientists attempting to de-extinct species at all? Is there conservation merit in doing so? Which species are being considered? I address a plethora of topics as well as moral and ethical considerations.
Specifically, I go over:
- What exactly is de-extinction and how it can be done
- Why de-extinction is so hard to actually do
- How Colossal Biosciences resurrected what they are calling the dire wolf
- What scientists think of Colossal’s dire wolves; are they really dire wolves? Why or why not?
- Insights on how scientists think about species in general
- What else goes into a species being a species aside from genetics
- What is the point of de-extinction? Why should scientists attempt it? Which kinds of species are being considered?
- My opinions on de-extinction: which species are okay to bring back and why
- Does de-extinction help conservation? How?
- How de-extinction can hurt conservation efforts
- How the Trump administration is attempting to use de-extinction efforts to undermine the Endangered Species Act
- And more!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/126-de-extinction/
Jump links:
01:14 My Scientific Background and Expertise
03:07 Understanding De-Extinction
04:28 How De-Extinction Works, & Why It’s So Hard to Do
09:27 Woolly Mammoth and Tasmanian Tiger De-Extinction Challenges
12:01 The Dire Wolf Project by Colossal Biosciences
15:27 Scientific Skepticism and Ethical Considerations
22:15 Why Colossal Chose the Dire Wolf
24:41 Species Concepts and Controversies
27:49 More Than Genetics: What Makes a Species a Species
31:39 Why Bring an Extinct Species Back
32:39 Argument of Ecological Restoration of Resurrected Species
39:13 Ethical and Moral Considerations
40:45 Is De-extinction Good for Conservation?
46:11 De-extinction and the Endangered Species Act
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
Are you somebody who really cares about wildlife and conservation and you're trying to get people to change their behavior? Reduce their carbon footprint? Get them to not litter? Or keep their cats indoors to save birds?
Whether it’s getting people to switch to clean energy sources or eating less meat to help save the planet, all of these things all require human behavior change, and the foundation of such change is communication.
A lot of people tend to think we just need to educate people more - that people have a deficiency in knowledge, and that if only we could get people to understand the data and studies like we do, then they would see the error in their ways. But as we've seen with well-researched topics with lots of supporting data and studies like climate change and vaccines, this is not true. There is more to it! We need effective communication, which requires dialogue.
This week’s podcast is inspired by two events: (1) the results of the 2024 election here in the United States where we saw the public vote for an administration that is anti-environment and science and (2) the aftermath of me reading an eye-opening, enlightening, and highly entertaining book on the subject of rethinking by social scientist Adam Grant: Think Again.
In this episode I talk about how to be a more effective communicator, get people to rethink their opinions and values (including yourself!), and teach you how to have productive, engaging, and useful debates with people who think, at times, very differently than you. I am living proof it is possible!
The lessons shared largely come from the book Think Again, but also my own personal experience engaging with and even being friends with people from “the other side.” You’ll learn how to reframe your perspective on arguments so you don’t feel exhausted, angry, or drained, how effective listening is critical in debate, and how providing nuance, multiple perspectives, and humility can make you more effective in changing minds.
Often when we talk about working with wildlife, we think about it from the animal's perspective and studying the species, but in reality, almost all of the conservation solutions with declining biodiversity have to do with interventions on the human side. Want to save wolves? We need to reduce poaching. Want to save monarchs? We need to get people to plant more milk weed and reduce habitat loss. These things require interventions on the human side.
So if you are someone who works in science or conservation, or are simply someone who wants to create more positive change in the world, then this episode is for you!
Specifically I talk about:
- Why it’s important to engage in debate and that it doesn’t have to be hostile, exhausting, or heated
- How debate makes us stronger leaders and better scientists
- How spirited discussions helped Disney create Pixar’s The Incredibles that went on to win two Oscars
- How to reframe arguments into debates and learn how to dance rather than fight
- Common “don’ts” and mistakes that many people make that close people off and cause them to dig more into their original beliefs
- How to motivate someone to share information with you
- Why facts alone don’t work in changing minds
- That asking questions activates a rethinking cycle in your debate partner (and yourself!)
- Why listening is critical to getting people to open up and be receptive
- How the “vaccine whisperer” got people to vaccinate their children through non-judgemental empowerment and listening
- That binary or black and white thinking can actually cause people to move away from your cause
- How uncertainty and humility can make you more effective in changing minds
- And more!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/125-facts-dont-change-minds/
Jump links:
00:22 Challenges in Science Communication
01:19 The Role of Personal Experience and Think Again book
01:53 Human Interaction in Wildlife Conservation
03:40 Why Engage in Debate
09:00 Changing Perspectives on Arguing: The Dance of Debate
10:08 Don'ts in Science Communication
12:40 Building Relationships Outside the Screen
14:24 Engaging with the Opposition
16:39 Finding Common Ground with Wildlife Enthusiasts
16:55 Managing Emotions in Heated Discussions
17:50 The Power of Genuine Compliments
18:31 Engaging with Curiosity and Questions
21:43 The Art of Motivational Listening
22:35 Building Trust and Empowering Others
29:23 Introducing Nuance and Gray Areas
32:55 Avoiding Jargon and Being Approachable
34:50 Next Steps and Call to Action
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
I’m not going to lie…things seem pretty dire here right now in the United States for the environment, conservation, and wildlife. Because of what the current administration is doing, people are worried and understandably so. Things are quite honestly in chaos right now and there have already been severe consequences for those who work in wildlife.
Over the past couple of weeks, my social media feeds have been flooded with images of the thousands of federal workers who have unfairly lost their jobs in the name of government budget cuts. Funding for conservation, research, and protections is and will continue to be slashed, and even whole organizations within our federal government are under threat of being taken away.
Although it’s not quite clear yet what things are going to hold up legally in court, the results have already impacted people who work in wildlife. Entire livelihoods have been shattered from people losing their critical paychecks doing what they loved while serving and protecting our wildlife, land, and environment.
In the previous episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I talked about what we can do as individuals to continue to stand up for what we believe in while bridging the gap to others who voted differently than us so that we can reclaim the necessary political power to enact pro-wildlife legislation. But when scrolling through my social media feeds and seeing the faces of those who lost their jobs, I realized people really needed help.
One post on Instagram left a particularly strong impact on me. It was a post that offered some hope by someone who secured a wildlife job under the first Trump administration. And what I could see from this post was that it was really needed by people out there. Some said they read the post and left crying because they desperately needed some help and encouragement during these unprecedented times.
This post really inspired me. If you are not new to this podcast, you’ll know that a huge focus of mine is those in wildlife careers, so if this is you, then you’ll definitely want to listen to the whole episode. Here I take the time to address the concerns of those who may have lost their job, are worried about losing their job, or are feeling anxiety about the increasing competition from fewer now being offered in our field.
Honestly, no matter where you are in your career, the advice today is going to apply to you.
So for those of you who are in wildlife, environmental, or conservation careers and are feeling panicked, maybe wondering, “How do I handle this new administration? How do I handle this new landscape?” This episode is for you!
I know you don’t want to give up your lifelong dream of having a wildlife career, but the reality is, I know some of you are thinking about it. As I read that Instagram post, I read numerous comments from people saying they felt like they had to give it all up considering what is going on. But you DON’T.
In this episode, I give you hope, concrete tips on what you can do if you are in a wildlife profession, how you can navigate this new administration and landscape, and reassure you that there’s going to be jobs for you, that you are needed, that your work is important and valuable.
Specifically I go over:
- The illusion of a permanent job
- How the landscape of jobs has and is still changing, and how to handle it
- The misconception that you have to work continuously in this field – gaps to take other jobs are okay!
- How to make things work for you in the long run if it feels like you need to take a pause from wildlife work (either wanted or unwanted)
- Past experiences and results of wildlife work during administrations unfavorable to wildlife and conservation
- Thinking outside of the box and implementing creative solutions in wildlife work
- How to start making yourself competitive as possible so that when the right job is available, you get it
- And more!
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://fancyscientist.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉https://fancyscientist.com/124-wildlife-careers-in-crisis/
Jump links:
00:00 Introduction: Current Environmental Concerns
00:45 Finding Hope in Uncertain Times
01:19 Career Advice for Wildlife Professionals
03:05 The Illusion of Permanent Jobs
06:58 Navigating the New Administration
10:14 Mindset and Career Development
19:44 Concrete Steps for Job Seekers
27:34 Creative Solutions and Side Hustles
32:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
We recently had an election here in the United States, and now have just started this new administration. For so many of us out there, especially in the conservation and environmental space, this one was and is going to be TOUGH.
I normally don't talk about politics on the Fancy Scientist podcast because I want to be as inclusive as possible and that STILL stands for today's episode - you are welcome no matter how you voted. In fact, a big part of this week’s episode is about how to keep connections and conversations going with others in spite of huge political differences. The reality is that wildlife research, science, and conservation are HEAVILY dependent on politics; they are innately intertwined.
There are several goals I want to accomplish with this week’s podcast. First, I want to help others, like myself, who were deeply affected by the results of this election. I discuss why this election is so different from others, even from the 2016 election, and why it has affected people in such a heavy way. Sharing my personal experience, I offer tips on how I'm dealing that you can apply to your own life.
My next goal is to encourage, inspire, and hopefully motivate you to keep connections and the importance of doing so, as well as potentially having uncomfortable conversations. The core premise of this podcast and the mission of my brand is conservation and we can't do that with just the people who think like us. If we stay isolated and in our own bubble, we will keep repeating the results we got with this election.
It is possible to maintain positive connections with people who vote differently than you and this is incredibly important for our conservation efforts to persist. I’ve created and maintained friendships with people who have very different opinions on topics that I care deeply about a lot. In fact, some of my biggest social media fans are Trump voters! In this episode, I share with you strategies and ways of thinking that you can use for talking to people that are not draining, antagonistic, or make you feel like you have to convince the other person.
Finally, I've gotten the sense and actual feedback from people that they are afraid to speak out for the things that they believe in and before felt comfortable talking about. I was amazed to hear that some of my friends in science communication who are normally vocal about the issues that they care about, like climate change, were starting to feel uncomfortable discussing the same issues they regularly talked about before the election. Using the results of the election and a new perspective in looking at them, I hope to give you some inspiration that we can't give up, won't give up, and that there’s more people than you may think right now supporting our goals for the environment.
Before you listen to this episode, I want to acknowledge that not everyone may feel safe, be in the right mental space, or be in a safe environment to speak up or associate with certain people. If that is you, please take all precautions to put barriers in place, keep yourself safe, and healthy. I am in NO way saying that everyone needs to do the things I go over in this podcast.
I also want to acknowledge that this election has huge consequences for many people and issues across the board, many of which are deeply important to me. This podcast episode will only focus on those related to conservation and the environment though, as this is the theme of the Fancy Scientist podcast, and I am in no way saying that other issues are not as important.
So, if you feel like you are in a safe environment, like I do, want to connect, and are willing to have some potentially uncomfortable conversations to make a difference, then you're going to benefit from this episode
Specifically I go over:
- Why this election feels different than any other
- How the results of this election will impact the environment in a way the country has never faced before
- How I felt post election and using emotions to help propel me into action
- Putting the results of this election into perspective; why people voted the way they did and what this means for conservation
- Why I’m not giving up and you shouldn’t either
- Why keeping channels of communication open are so important for conservation
- Why I don’t de-friend people who vote differently
- Why I am staying on Twitter despite tens of thousands of scientists leaving the platform
- Concrete things I am doing that you can do too and resources to help you move forward in this administration
- And MORE!
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/123-conversations-and-connections
Jump links:
00:00 Introduction and Election Aftermath
03:13 Disclaimer
04:36 Reflecting on the 2024 Election
06:18 Climate Change Urgency
13:06 Personal Resolve and Moving Forward
14:13 Standing in Your Power
15:11 Nuances of the Trump Voter and Pendulum Swings
19:26 Choosing Your Hard
21:13 Tuning into Political Discussions
22:17 Voter Perspectives and Motivations
24:47 The Importance of Communication
25:39 Building Connections Across Differences
28:09 The Role of Personal Relationships in Social Change
30:02 Engaging in Difficult Conversations
37:46 Creating Joy and Local Impact
40:41 Conclusion and Resources
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
I’ve been seeing a ton of great PAID wildlife internships being posted so I thought it would be a great time to go over how to get an internship for wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, and conservation careers. So for this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I am talking about everything to do with internships in wildlife careers. This includes ecology, conservation biology, zoology, and environmental sciences.
In the first part of this podcast, I talk about what is an internship in wildlife biology and how it differs from other experiences such as temporary field assistant positions and volunteering because internships are supposed to be a more unique experience. Also, I get the impression from talking to literally hundreds, probably even thousands of struggling and aspiring wildlife biologists that internships are really coveted or desired. A lot of people actually think that you need internships to succeed. Why is this? Although they are unique and different from other experiences, is this true for wildlife careers?
Next I talk about how to find internships. I go over the important wildlife job boards, but also discuss having to look elsewhere and why, including individual organization websites and maximizing your search by following organizations on LinkedIn and connecting with wildlife professionals there. In this ultra competitive field to make sure you’re not missing opportunities, I go over the importance of cold networking and using social media to cast your net even wider.
Lastly, I cover all the different types of wildlife internships: paid, unpaid, and those that you pay for (yes! This is a real thing in our field). Besides payment, what are the differences in those experiences in terms of the outcomes you get? Do they prepare you and give you the experience you need to get you on track for your wildlife dream job? Of course you want to get paid, and although those are becoming more common, they are more competitive, so this may not be possible for you at the moment. Is it worth it to take an unpaid internship? What about those that you pay for?
Once you find internships to apply to, it’s essential that your application stands out. As I mentioned above, this field is super competitive and wildlife internships, like almost all wildlife jobs, are not easy to get! You are going to be amongst dozens, and it’s not uncommon to be amongst even hundreds of other applications. I talk about the key principles needed to ensure that your application gets put into the “yes” pile. For instance, you want to make sure that you qualify for the internship, have a wildlife resume – not a regular resume, and write a compelling cover letter. To increase your chances, you want to be networking – and you don’t have to do this in person. Online is an extremely effective way to network!
You might be surprised by what you learn. In fact, you might not even need an internship at all!
Even if you are not looking for internships, but are interested in working in the wildlife field, what you’re going to learn in this episode is definitely going to apply. Make sure you stay tuned and listen to this whole episode. And the most important part is I want to help you get those internships or whatever experiences you are applying for. So the tips you are going to learn today are going to raise your game.My goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to successfully navigate the internship landscape and ultimately secure your dream wildlife job wildlife.
Specifically I go over:
- What is an internship and what makes it unique
- Do you really need an internship?
- How to find wildlife internships
- How to make your job application stand out so that you get wildlife internships
- How to get internships when your job applications aren’t getting you interviews and resources to help
- The importance of networking to enhance your internship search
- The difference between paid, unpaid, and internships that you pay for
- If unpaid and internships that you pay for are worth it to build experience in your wildlife career
- And MORE!
Full show notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/122-wildlife-internships
Jump links:
01:39 Introduction to Wildlife Internships
03:00 Understanding Internships vs. Other Opportunities
04:28 The Importance of Experience Over Titles
12:29 Finding and Securing Internships
15:27 Networking and Leveraging LinkedIn
18:42 Steps to Secure Internships
19:56 Crafting a Wildlife Resume
24:21 Paid vs. Unpaid Internships
27:38 Evaluating Internship Value
36:33 Next Steps and Final Advice
Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
As someone who has spent two decades in the wildlife field, published nearly 30 peer-reviewed papers, and worked across multiple continents in various wildlife roles, I know firsthand the challenges and opportunities in this field. And I'm here to help you navigate them!
What started as a single webinar has evolved into something much more powerful - a robust 3-part training series packed with real-world insights and actionable strategies. Why? Because I realized there was so much valuable information that couldn't be condensed into just one session!
Whether you're a:
- Career transitioner looking to break into wildlife biology
- College student trying to navigate your career path
- Recent graduate seeking your first position
- Master's or Ph.D. student/graduate
- High school student dreaming of working with wildlife
- Parent guiding a future wildlife biologist
This training is designed for YOU!
I'm pulling back the curtain on the essential processes that nobody else is talking about. Drawing from my experience working in government, academia, museums, zoos, and alongside nonprofits worldwide, I'll share:
- The three critical pillars for securing a permanent wildlife position (When you nail these, you can't NOT get jobs!)
- What wildlife employers actually value most in candidates (and how to develop these qualities)
- How to craft a focused career path that leads to a permanent, well-paying position
- Common resume and networking mistakes to avoid
- Real success stories from people who've landed their dream jobs (even without Master's degrees!)
- A game-changing insight that's rarely discussed but essential for career success
In my 20 years in wildlife biology, I've seen countless passionate individuals struggle to break into the field - not because they weren't capable, but because they didn't have access to the right guidance. I've watched my own students transform their careers once they understood these key principles. Now, I'm sharing these insights with you, completely FREE.
This isn't just another wildlife career webinar. It's a comprehensive training built on real experience, real results, and real strategies that work. This training will give you the clarity, direction, and practical steps you need to make your wildlife dreams a reality.
Get your sneak peek now!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/3-pillars-to-success/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
In the fiercely competitive world of wildlife biology and conservation, insider knowledge isn't just an advantage—it's a game-changer. That's why this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, featuring Matt Howard, is an absolute must-listen for anyone dreaming of a career in this field.
Interestingly, my connection with Matt began in an unexpected place: the comments section of one of my career posts. Matt was leaving insightful comments filled with great advice for aspiring wildlife professionals. His willingness to share knowledge immediately caught my attention, and I knew I had to invite him onto the podcast to share his wisdom with a wider audience.
Matt Howard isn't just any wildlife professional. As a natural resource manager for Utah's Department of Transportation, he's at the forefront of road ecology—a fascinating niche where wildlife conservation meets infrastructure development. His work involves analyzing the impacts of roads on threatened and endangered species, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and finding innovative solutions to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.
But Matt's experience extends far beyond his current role. Having navigated through various facets of the wildlife field, including state agency jobs and environmental consulting, he brings a panoramic view of the industry. This diverse background allows him to offer nuanced advice on aligning personal values with professional goals—a crucial aspect often overlooked in career discussions.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg! What makes Matt's advice so compelling is that it comes from years of hands-on experience. He's not just theorizing – he's sharing what has actually worked for him and others in the field. From his experience hiring countless professionals to build an impressive social media following of over 100,000 on Instagram, Matt shares golden nuggets of wisdom you won't find in any textbook or career guide.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
- The ins and outs of working for state wildlife agencies, including the hidden challenges and unexpected rewards
- A candid look at the world of environmental consulting—is it the right path for you?
- Practical, actionable advice to skyrocket your chances of landing that dream wildlife job
- Innovative strategies for leveraging social media to build your professional network and showcase your expertise
- The art of successfully transitioning into a conservation or ecology career, even if you're starting from a different field
- And more!!!
So, whether you're a student plotting your entry into the wildlife field, a professional looking to pivot into conservation, or simply someone fascinated by the inner workings of wildlife careers, this episode is your backstage pass to the industry. Tune in, take notes, and prepare to transform your approach to wildlife career planning. Your future self will thank you for it!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/3-pillars-to-success/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
This Fancy Scientist podcast episode is quite literally years in the making. I first got the idea when one of my students in the Successful Wildlife Professional, which is my signature wildlife career group mentoring program, asked me about dealing with the feelings of depression involved in her work.
Alanna Street was conducting research on the Great Barrier Reef, which has lost some estimates, up to 50% of its coral cover and might even completely disappear within decades, Alanna asked me how to maintain hope and a positive outlook while working amidst such negativity.
When I answered this question in the mentoring session, I realized my answer was long and complex. In fact, I even wrote it down first with bullet points of the things that I wanted to cover. Across the years of running the Successful Wildlife Professional, I realized other students had similar feelings and were suffering in the same way. Therefore, I thought this would be a great podcast episode for so many people too. Eco-anxiety, often described as a feeling of chronic fear of environmental doom, conservation depression, and/or hopelessness in the face of environmental challenges, is increasingly common in our field, not only in our field but amongst the general population, especially younger generations. Eco-anxiety is not just an academic concept; it affects people's daily lives. It's a distress caused by a perception of loss and destruction in nature.
These emotions can be debilitating, but the good thing is that they're also a testament to how deeply many people care about this state of the planet and what’s going on. Throughout this episode, I'll unpack some of these emotions and offer you tips and perspectives on how to take care of yourself, not let eco-anxiety weigh you down, but still care about the planet enough to take action and inspire others.
If you have been following me for some time, you know that I'm huge on mindset. Growing up in what I thought was a normal household, I later realized I had been programmed with a negative outlook. I've worked hard to reverse this programming and overcome depression. Having been diagnosed with depression and anxiety since my early 20s, I understand how debilitating these feelings can be in general - even independent of eco-anxiety. But I recently learned that it doesn’t have to be this way. For the past seven years, I’ve worked intentionally on my mindset and worked hard to overcome my own negative thought patterns, and it works. I'm here to tell you that you have a choice in what you choose to focus on, that there's hope, and that there are ways to cope.
Remember, your passion for nature and wildlife is a strength, not a burden. The Earth needs your passion, your dedication, and your hope. By addressing these emotions head-on and equipping yourself with coping strategies, you are not only taking care of yourself, but you are becoming an even more effective advocate for the planet.
I encourage you to listen to this episode, reflect on your own experiences, and try out some of the strategies I discuss.
Specifically, I go over:
- Understanding and defining eco-anxiety and conservation depression
- The power of perspective and finding the 'good' in challenging situations
- Letting go of control and trusting in nature's resilience
- Healthy ways to process emotions related to environmental concerns
- The importance of building a supportive community in conservation
- Practical steps to take positive action and combat anxiety
- Cultivating gratitude and joy through connection with nature
- And more!!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljob
Working in the conservation field innately involves loss from which is often accompanied by feelings of sadness, grief, anger, and even depression. The whole point of our field is to save species and ecosystems that are facing, often massive, declines and even extinction!
As conservationists, we are compelled to help out because we love nature, often stemming from personal experiences and connections. This love is so great that we are often willing to dedicate our precious time, money, and energy towards this cause.
But we currently live in a time where we are going through a massive extinction event, and unlike others, it’s all because of us - human beings. We are constantly being bombarded with negative news of our changing planet: deforestation, climate change, pollution, wildfires, drought, and the list goes on and on! No wonder this takes a toll on us.
For a long time, conservation organizations have used “doom and gloom” to activate people to change and to some extent have been successful, but it can also cause people to turn away and tune out with feelings of helplessness or apathy. And for those of us working, it can simply be draining and just downright depressing to see these images and read these stories over and over again!
One of my favorite things to ask when facing a seemingly insurmountable problem is to ask “what can I do?” So what can we do? Well, we can turn to optimism in conservation. It can make us feel better and work as a catalyst for change. I have long been saying this so when I saw the organization Conservation Optimism, I was hopeful and relieved to see others who felt the same way.
Conservation Optimism is a movement that emerged from Oxford University in 2017, born out of the desire to shift the narrative in conservation from despair to hope. It came about as a response to the overwhelming "doom and gloom" messaging often associated with environmental crises, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and inaction. The movement aims to bridge the gap BETWEEN conservation science and public engagement by providing a message of hope and agency. It's not about downplaying the severity of our environmental challenges, but rather about empowering people to take action.
I have been following Conservation Optimism for a long time as I have been drawn to their impactful work. Given the challenges we face in our field, I knew that doing this interview with their director, Jon Taylor, would be an invaluable resource for our community!
Jon Taylor is a seasoned wildlife conservation leader with over 30 years of experience working on conservation and sustainable development projects across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. His career has spanned a variety of roles, including managing projects focused on climate change at WWF, tigers and elephants at the Zoological Society of London, and coral reefs and cetaceans in different parts of the world. Before joining Conservation Optimism in 2024, Jon served as the Managing Director at Save the Rhino International. With a deep passion for wildlife sparked in childhood, Jon has become an expert in conceptualizing and leading conservation initiatives, and he's dedicated to guiding the next generation of conservationists. Despite his extensive experience, he remains in awe of the natural world and continues to be motivated by its beauty and wonder.
Conservation Optimism aims to bridge this gap by providing a message of hope and agency. It's not about downplaying the severity of our environmental challenges, but rather about empowering people to take action. It's clear that while the challenges in conservation are significant, there's ample reason for hope.
Jon's passion for his work and his belief in our collective ability to make a difference is truly inspiring. His message reminds us that every action counts and that we're all part of a global community working towards a healthier planet. Despite the challenges we face, he believes in our collective ability to address environmental issues.
In our conversation, Jon emphasizes the need to articulate the value of nature in ways that resonate with people emotionally, not just intellectually. He points out that while ecosystem services are important, we also need to tap into the spiritual, cultural, and emotional connections people have with nature. This approach can help make conservation efforts more relatable and meaningful to a broader audience.
For those aspiring to work in conservation, Jon's career journey offers valuable lessons. He stressed the importance of perseverance and curiosity, sharing how his path took him from a poor part of North London to working on projects across Africa and Asia, and eventually to his current role at Oxford.
In this episode, we discussed:
- The concept of Conservation Optimism and its importance in the field
- Effective messaging strategies for conservation communication
- Navigating a career in conservation and the diverse skills needed
- Dealing with eco-anxiety and finding personal sources of hope
- The importance of articulating the value of nature beyond just ecosystem services
- Jon's experiences working with various species and organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Save the Rhino International
- The global impact of Conservation Optimism and its future goals
- What you can do to help conservation and relieve eco-anxiety
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
I first came across Ana Yi Soto's work through a LinkedIn post she created on language justice that went viral and due to its importance, she later decided to repost in the Society for Conservation Biology forum. In her post, she shared a meme from the television show Modern Family, in which Gloria, a native Spanish-speaking character from Colombia (the actress playing Gloria, Sofia Vergara is also from Colombia) says, “Do you even know how smart I am in Spanish?”
Her powerful message about what language you happened to grow up speaking and how it can affect your career in conservation resonated deeply with me, especially given my own experiences conducting fieldwork in Kenya and particularly Gabon, where the national language is French and almost no one speaks English. I remember not being able to fully express myself and feeling dumb. Currently, I, am learning Portuguese and when speaking in Brazil, I even feel like I take on a different personality due to language limitations. I knew immediately that I had to invite Ana to share her insights with our Fancy Scientist community on how conservation being dominated by the English language when it comes to published research affects those who did not grow up as native English speakers, but still want to have a career that can make an impact.
In this episode, we dive into the critical issue of language barriers in conservation work. We explore how the dominance of English in scientific research and conservation efforts can inadvertently exclude vital voices and perspectives from local communities. This conversation is essential for anyone passionate about creating more equitable, effective, and inclusive conservation strategies worldwide.
Language barriers in conservation go far beyond simple translation issues. They can significantly impact the effectiveness of conservation efforts, limit the participation of local experts, and lead to misunderstandings that can derail well-intentioned projects. There are some words that have no meaning in other languages or do not fully translate. Ana and I discuss the frustrations of not being able to fully express complex ideas in a non-native language and the importance of creating spaces where all voices can be heard and valued.
Ana's journey from a communication specialist in Peru to a global conservation leader working in Madagascar is truly inspiring. She shares valuable advice on maintaining curiosity and humility in conservation work, emphasizing the need for co-creation rather than imposing solutions. We also delve into her current roles with the Global Landscape Forum and CREA Planeta, showcasing how she's putting language justice principles into action.
This conversation with Ana Yi Soto highlights the urgent need for a shift in how we approach conservation work globally. By prioritizing language justice and inclusivity, we can tap into a wealth of local knowledge and create more sustainable, community-driven conservation solutions.
I encourage all of you, whether you're a seasoned conservationist or just starting your journey, to reflect on how language impacts your work and interactions. How can we all contribute to creating a more inclusive environment in conservation?
Specifically, we go over:
- The concept of language justice and its importance in conservation
- Challenges faced by non-native English speakers in scientific fields and conservation work
- The need for humility and co-creation in conservation projects
- How the landscape is shifting and efforts to increase inclusivity in global conservation events and publications
- Ana's work with the Global Landscape Forum and CREA Planeta
- How Ana started out working in conservation in Peru and how she was able to pursue work across the globe
- Advice for aspiring conservationists looking to make a difference
- And more!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
As early as the second episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I’ve been talking about the negative impacts of "animal selfies.” This refers to when people post photos of themselves with an exotic animal. Although selfies are new in the digital age of photography, photos like these are not. For decades, private zoos and individuals have made money by keeping exotic animals often in horrific conditions and getting people to pose with them for photos. These are most often baby mammals (think tiger, lion, and bear cubs ala Tiger King), but can also be birds, reptiles, and fully adult mammals.
While operations like these are clearly bad for animals and have nothing to do with conservation once you understand how they work (read Is Cub Petting Conservation for Big Cats?), what’s less clear is when scientists pose with their study species for photos. I totally get it! Being with a wild animal is an amazing opportunity and you want to capture it in a photograph (I am guilty of this myself), but what happens when we share those images?
We've all seen those images of researchers posing with their study subjects, and while it might seem harmless, research has shown that this can actually encourage people to engage in unethical or even illegal wildlife interactions. It’s safe to say that this has been a pet peeve of mine for some time. Photos like those are pervasive throughout the scientific community, even when advertising our career to others and I’ve been trying to spread the word. .
A couple of months ago, a story went viral on X (formerly Twitter) where people took wild bear cubs from a tree just for selfies. I tweeted not only about this, but about how scientists need to stop posting photos of themselves with wildlife so people don’t get the misconception that it’s ever okay to do something like this. I also emphasized that studies show that photos like those make people want to engage in animal selfies. This tweet gained considerable attention, one of which was from Dr. Cassie Freund, the director of science communication at the Frost Science Museum in Miami, who tweeted back that that was her research! . This fortuitous interaction led me to ask her for an interview in this podcast to talk about her research on scientists taking selfies with animals, especially primates, and how it has been shown to negatively influence public behavior and perceptions, making people less likely to understand the endangered status of these animals.
On this podcast, she discusses the results of her and other studies, which found that even providing captions trying to explain the "proper permissions" obtained to handle animals with research permits and as a professional don’t mitigate the negative impact of those kinds of photos on the public. Additionally, Cassie has a fascinating background in primate behavioral research, and is a strong science writer and editor with over five years of experience telling engaging stories about the world around in outlets like Mongabay, Massive Science, and Hakai Magazine.
Cassie's insights were so valuable, and I know this is a topic that many of you are passionate about as well. I encourage you to share this episode with your scientist friends and colleagues - let's all do our part to raise awareness and change the narrative around how we present wildlife on social media.
Specifically, we go over:
- Cassie's background in orangutan conservation and rainforest research
- The surprising findings from her studies on how people perceive images of scientists with their study subjects
- Tips for effective science communication that prioritizes animal welfare and conservation
- Challenges of navigating social media as a scientist who wants to share their work
- Real-world examples of both positive and negative wildlife-related social media posts
- And more!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
As someone who's been in this field for 20 years, I know what it’s like to be in your shoes - from struggling graduate students to successful wildlife professionals - I understand the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges you're facing in this competitive field.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I’m tackling two of the biggest elephants in the room when it comes to getting a job, and even maintaining a job in wildlife careers: time and money – These are the two things most of us never seem to have enough of!
I vividly remember the days of feeling overwhelmed, especially in graduate school, juggling all aspects of research - from understanding how to set up an entire project by myself, run it internationally, collect and analyze data, and write up the results to publish all while maintaining other responsibilities such as classes and attending seminars. There never seemed to be enough time! But the thing is, if you don’t invest in yourself, through time and money or both when it comes to your career, you’re likely going to struggle later on, costing you even more time and money.
Let me give you an example. If I had taken the time to really study and even just look at jobs that I would have eventually been applying for, I would have been a lot more competitive for them because I would have known exactly what they wanted. For investing in your career, you may need to raise funds to support a volunteer opportunity you need to do to gain more experience or into professional development like the programs that I offer, attending conferences, or participating in societies.
So many people let these obstacles stop them and just throw their hands up - like I did (“I don’t have time to look at the jobs - I am working on my dissertation!”) But I’ve learned through a lot of amazing mentors and mindset work that these are stories that we just tell ourselves and when we really want something, we can go after it and make it happen.
I've learned that it's not about having more time or money - in fact, no one has more time. You and I have the same amount of hours in the day as Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Beyoncé (and none of them started off wealthy either). It's about how you THINK about time and money, and maximizing what you have.
That's exactly what I'm here to share with you today. I'll take you on a journey through my own experiences where I realized I was spending way too much time on the wrong things and how I changed my approach to time and money in my career. I’ll offer you practical strategies that have not only helped me but have also transformed the careers of many wildlife professionals I've had the privilege to coach.
Whether you're an aspiring wildlife biologist still in school, an early-career professional feeling stuck in seasonal positions, or a seasoned expert looking to make a bigger impact, this episode has something for you. We'll challenge the scarcity mindset that's so common in our field and explore how to adopt an abundance perspective - even when resources seem limited.
I'll share candid stories about my own financial journey, influenced by my family background, and how it shaped my approach to managing money in this field. We'll talk about creative ways to boost your income that you might not have considered before, and I'll give you a peek into some unconventional fundraising strategies that have worked wonders for conservation projects.
By the end of this episode, I promise you'll have a toolkit of practical strategies to better manage your time and money. But more than that, I hope you'll feel inspired and empowered. Because here's the truth - you don't need to wait for more time or money to start making a difference. You have everything you need right now to take the next step in your wildlife career.
Specifically, I go over:
- The importance of tracking your time and money
- Strategies for prioritizing tasks and identifying "big rocks"
- Shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset
- Creative ways to earn extra income in the field
- Tips for effective fundraising and grant writing
- Overcoming limiting beliefs and stories we tell ourselves
So, are you ready to transform how you think about and use your most precious resources? Dive in and unlock your potential to make a real impact in the world of wildlife biology and conservation!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
What does it take to be successful in wildlife careers?
You might be thinking:
- Lots of experience in far away places
- Having a strong network of top scientists and other wildlife professionals
- Knowing GIS like a pro
- Courses in wildlife handling, trapping, and tracking
- Having a Master’s or Ph.D.
Some of those things do help (others don’t even help much!), but they still are not getting at the core of what it REALLY takes to be successful in a wildlife career.
You see, those things are the results of first having the mindset that this career is not just possible for you, but what you are destined and dedicated to do. In other words, even if you have the things listed above, but don’t have the strong mindset, you won’t have the wherewithal to keep going when things get hard.
And this career is HARD. One thing I don’t do is shy away from the realities of this career (but that also doesn’t mean I don’t think you can’t do it!)
I first started out wanting to become an actress, but was always uncomfortable with the high level of risk and rejection associated with acting careers. I was relieved to find wildlife biology, not only because I loved it, but I felt a huge weight lifted off of me knowing that I could get a “regular” job that paid a steady income instead of waiting tables by day and getting unpaid in community theater while trying to break through after an endless amounts of auditions.
But it turns out, careers in wildlife are a lot like those in acting!
Compared to how many people are out there, positions are few and competition is therefore high. Rejection from not only jobs, but also grants and publications is part of many careers. To gain experience, people work for years in unpaid or poorly paid temp work.
To deal with all of those realities, your mindset, combined with other factors outlined in this podcast, is truly key for success in getting a permanent job that you love. When you have the right mindset in place to be able to handle all of the competition and rejection, you will succeed no matter what because you will find a way.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I dive deep into the core attitudes and mindsets that separate those who thrive in wildlife careers from those who struggle and never secure permanent jobs or are unhappy with the jobs that they have. I talk about developing an unstoppable mindset, being willing to invest in yourself, and how to creatively overcome obstacles. I share personal stories - like my experiences at Disney World and working with elephants - to illustrate these points.
Specifically, I go over:
- The importance of developing an "ensure your own success" mindset
- Creative ways to fund your professional development
- Ways to overcome ego and embrace all aspects of the job
- How necessary making sacrifices is for your goals
- Using community science as a way to gain volunteer experience when official opportunities are scarce
- Practices to maximize every opportunity to learn
- How to take 100% responsibility for your results
- And MORE!!
Remember, success in wildlife careers isn't just about technical skills - it's about who you BECOME in the process.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
If you’re like most people pursuing a wildlife career, at some point, you’ve felt like you’re giving it your all, but going nowhere. Like a field vehicle stuck in the mud, you’re pressing the gas pedal as hard as you can, but the wheels are just spinning, flinging mud (maybe even in your face - I’ve been there!) and you’re in the exact same spot.
Or maybe you’ve felt like you’re furiously treading water, moving your body as fast as you can, you're exhausted just trying to keep up, but no matter what, despite all of this effort, you’re still in the same place - or even worse, sinking.
Maybe things seem so bad for you that you feel like you’ve reached a dead end in the road with no way out…Maybe you’re ready to scream or cry or both. Or have already cried all of your tears and just don’t know what to do.
Chances are you feel helpless, bitter, upset, disappointed, and just plain sad. The rejections seem to be piling up, but you don’t know where you went wrong.
When you’re feeling like this, it’s so easy to point to all of the reasons why this is happening to you. It’s so easy to find all of the reasons why you can’t and why it won’t work out.
Maybe you’re telling yourself:
- It’s too competitive - you’re applying to jobs that literally hundreds of other people are applying to…
- You’re competing against people who have years of experience on you…
- School never gave you project management, stakeholder, R software, or (fill in the blank) experience…
- That it isn’t your fault (it isn’t!)
- And more…
But the thing is, this kind of thinking won’t get you to where you want to go. It won’t get you your permanent dream job in a wildlife career. And in fact, it will actually keep you stuck.
How do I know this? In the eight years of being on and off the job market after my PhD, I found out first hand how competitive it was. In my nearly seven years of graduate school, no one told me this. As long as I didn’t do academia, which I knew was super competitive, I thought I would be all right and easily get a permanent job.
I did everything right and was even getting interviews, however, I was still watching others with more experience (in one case 10 years!) get the job over me, even though I had already had 12-17 years of experience myself (depending at what point I applied for jobs).
I was caught in a cycle of job rejections, grew bitter, blamed the system, and felt like I was never going to break through. It was so easy to fall into this helplessness mentality, And it felt good - because it wasn’t my fault - I could blame someone or something else. Every time someone would ask me about how it’s going when applying for jobs and what my next job would be, I would have this big story and gigantic disclaimer about my situation and the state of wildlife careers.
And even though it wasn’t my fault, I realized that there were things I could do and looking back, things I should have done. We can’t change the past, but like the Maya Angelou quote goes, “when we know better, we do better.”
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I’m getting deep and vulnerable with the experiences that I’ve gone through and sharing with you what I’ve learned from thinking this way, as well as showing you that there’s a much better way to think that will actually get you results.
It might get a little uncomfy here (but it will be worth it!): I’m asking you to go deep and be truly honest with yourself. Are you commiting to the story of why things aren’t possible for you? Why they are difficult and hard? Why you can’t do it or why things aren’t working out for you?
Or are you willing to commit yourself to the equally possible story that you can do this and that things are possible for you, you just need to find the way?
I'll share some real talk about money (because let's face it, this career doesn’t pay well, especially in the beginning, and you’ll probably have to make sacrifices)), dealing with imposter syndrome, and how to keep pushing forward when it feels like everything's against you.
And for those of you thinking, "But Stephanie, you don't understand my situation," - I hear you. We'll talk about overcoming all sorts of obstacles, whether you're a person who’s been historically excluded from wildlife careers, dealing with a chronic illness, or feeling like you're too old to begin your wildlife career.
The best part? You'll hear stories about real people who've made it work despite everything that was working against them. Trust me, if they can do it, so can you.
Specifically, here's what I cover in this episode:
- How and why the helplessness attitude is holding you back (and how to kick it to the curb!)
- The secret to making the most of free resources (even when you're broke)
- Why and how treating your career like a science experiment can be a game-changer
- How to build an unstoppable mindset (even when you feel like completely giving up)
- Practical steps to take control of your career starting today!
And if you're feeling fired up after this episode and want more support, I've got your back. Check out my free job tracker and my course on Winning Wildlife Job Applications. These are the exact tools I wish I had when I was struggling.
Remember, you're not alone in this. I’m here to help you strategize the path to your dream career to make a better world for wildlife and yourself. So take a deep breath, let go of the bitterness and disappointment, start believing again that you can do this, and start making things happen. You've got this, and I'm here to help every step of the way.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
On the surface, it seems like careers in wildlife are pretty financially solid. If you search online for how much wildlife biologists make, you’ll discover it’s about $70K here in the US. In fact, when I discovered wildlife biology as a career option, I was incredibly relieved to see a solid salary posted! I was previously pursuing a career in acting, which is notorious for having low salaries, lots of unpaid work, uncertainty, and risk.
But after 20 years of being in this field working in internships, going to graduate school, postdocing, and then applying for permanent jobs, I realized there are many parallels to theater and wildlife careers, and there’s more to that $70K salary than it seems. In fact, when I was applying to jobs, most of the jobs I was competitive for had salaries around the $50-$55K range even with having a Ph.D. and having been in the field for 15 years.
So what gives? Why is there such a disparity?
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I talk about just that: what goes into getting that $70K salary and what jobs are most likely to lead you there. I'm pulling back the curtain on what it REALLY takes to make it in wildlife careers, and trust me, it's not what your college career counselor told you or what you read on the Internet. I talk about how it’s incredibly difficult to generalize careers in wildlife and that you have to be careful of the images you see and the information you read - as it often doesn’t apply to most wildlife careers!
Remember that shiny $70,600 median salary figure from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics? Well, I hate to break it to you, but it's about as realistic as expecting to cuddle pandas on your first day on the job.
If you're someone who's been applying for wildlife job after wildlife job, but hearing nothing back, you're about to GET the truth about our field that no one else is talking about. But don't worry, I'm not here to crush your dreams. I 100% believe that you can do this! And to make that happen, you need a realistic understanding of what these careers in wildlife are like so that you can prepare. I'm here to arm you with the knowledge you need to beat the system and thrive in this amazing field. Using my own experiences and those of colleagues, I paint a realistic picture of what aspiring wildlife biologists can expect in this competitive field.
By the time you finish this episode, you'll understand the hidden factors that go into getting a $70K salary, what kinds of jobs are more likely to be lucrative, and how some jobs may never pay that much. So, if you're ready to start taking charge of your career and become the successful wildlife professional that you know you are deep down inside, this episode is for you.
Specifically, I go over:
- Why the $70,600 median salary figure from the US Bureau of Statistics is misleading and what goes into making that figure
- The experience paradox: why you can't get a job without experience, and can't get experience without a job
- The truth about temporary and seasonal positions in wildlife biology
- How your education level impacts your job prospects and salary potential
- Common misconceptions about wildlife biology work (spoiler alert: it's way more than fieldwork and cute animals!)
- The crucial importance of data analysis skills in modern wildlife careers
- Practical tips for preparing for a successful career in wildlife biology
- The realities of fieldwork vs. lab work in wildlife biology careers
- And more!!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
Networking is super important. As someone who has been in the wildlife field for over 20 years and has attended countless scientific conferences since 2006, I know firsthand how networking can influence your career success. Experience is most important, but at times, who you know can even trump this. Networking can lead to jobs you didn’t know about, or maybe didn’t even exist in addition to other helpful career-building impacts like publication and volunteer opportunities. And if you want to study charismatic species like big cats, marine mammals, or carnivores, you simply have to network.
But I also know for a lot of us, networking can feel daunting and intimidating, so we avoid it. In fear of making a mistake, we don’t do anything or only limit networking to opportunities where others take the lead - such as our boss or advisor introducing you to their colleagues. But in this era of incredibly high competition for wildlife jobs, this is unfortunately, not enough.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I delve into the networking mistakes often made by aspiring and early career wildlife professionals. I know these because I myself have made many of these and see a lot of the same things happening in my students and members of my Facebook community group Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology. Drawing from my extensive experience, I emphasize how perspective and hindsight has allowed me to now see what I should have been doing, now what others are doing when they reach out to me, and how these actions are perceived from as a mid-level wildlife career professional.
The discussion also includes real-life success stories from my students, highlighting the transformative power of active engagement, specific intentions, and preparation. I outline nine key mistakes to avoid common pitfalls, such as being too casual or coming off as self-centered, so you can improve your networking skills and boost your career!
Lastly, platforms like LinkedIn can be incredibly powerful, even if you can't attend in-person events. So, I’ll also underscore the value of online networking. You'll learn about the importance of proactive follow-up and building genuine relationships, expand your professional network, and open doors to exciting career opportunities.
Specifically, I go over:
- The importance of networking The 9 biggest and common networking mistakes to avoid
- How to network intentionally with a purpose
- Tips for making genuine connections without being self-centered
- The art of following up and maintaining relationships
- Navigating networking as an introvert
Remember, in wildlife careers, networking isn't just a tool—it's a vital strategy for advancement.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
Have you heard of scientific conferences, but are not sure what they are? Do you think you should be attending, but aren’t sure exactly why? Or are you attending scientific conferences, but not getting as much out of them as you think you should? Whether you are a scientific conference newbie or a seasoned attendee, as we head into the summer conference season, I wanted to get you the inside scoop on what these events are all about and why they're an important component to becoming a successful wildlife professional.
Over the years, I've attended countless conferences, starting from my very first one in 2005 right before I started graduate school. Until 2020, I’ve been attending at least one per year on average, and some years multiple! I’ve been to the biggest conferences and smaller more intimate ones, but even though I had all of this experience, . It wasn't until pretty recently that I truly understood the deeper significance of these events for career progression, especially how higher level professionals leverage these conferences to maximize opportunities for themselves beyond the obvious conference activities . In this episode, I dive deep into the world of scientific conferences for wildlife, ecology, zoology, and conservation biology professionals, covering everything from the different types of sessions and presentations to the unspoken reasons why attending these events is so crucial for your career growth. I share my personal experiences, insights, and some behind-the-scenes perspectives that will help you navigate these events like a pro.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re not ready or not good enough to attend conferences! Attending conferences allows you to network with other scientists and professionals, learn about the latest developments in your field, in addition to sharing and elevating your research if you have any. Remember, it's important to actively make networking happen rather than just hoping for it and not rely solely on your advisor or boss to introduce you to people.
Specifically, I go over:
- What scientific conferences are and why they exist
- The structure and format of scientific conferences
- The major conferences in the wildlife, ecology, zoology, and conservation fields: What to expect and what they are
- The kinds of events that happen at scientific conferences
- The importance of networking and opportunities for collaboration at these events
- How to make the most out of your conference experience as an early-career scientist
- And MORE!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
When I was working as a postdoctoral researcher studying wildlife using camera traps, I had the pleasure of working alongside Dr. Liz Kalies who was integral in modeling the results of our large-scale projects. Back then, we were both passionate young(er) scientists trying to figure out our role in conservation biology. While my path eventually led me here to science communication and career mentoring, Liz took her to a seemingly unexpected, but exciting path - she's now the lead renewable energy scientist for the North American region at The Nature Conservancy.
Being a lead scientist at one of the world's top environmental organizations is no small feat, and given her background is in wildlife, we both didn’t expect her to go into renewable energy. But as you’ll find out in this interview, it all comes back to wildlife.
Renewable energy is definitely a pro-environmental choice, but that doesn’t mean it’s without any impacts to wildlife. So how can we develop wind and solar power responsibly without disrupting vulnerable habitats and species? Liz is at the forefront of finding solutions for such challenges that balance the needs of clean energy with wildlife conservation.
In this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist’s podcast, Liz pulls back the curtain on what it's really like driving conservation strategies using solid science at an influential nonprofit. She also shares her real perspective on building a meaningful career in science, juggling her work while raising three kids, and how following her passion led to career success.
Specifically, we discussed:
- The critical role of science at The Nature Conservancy
- How renewable energy can impact wildlife
- Challenges in mitigating conflicts between renewable energy and wildlife
- Liz's journey into wildlife research and her transition to the renewable energy science space
- What it’s like to work at The Nature Conservancy and nonprofits as a whole
- Finding the right work-life balance as a mother and scientist
- Tips for students pursuing environmental science careers
- The importance of taking initiative and being a self-starter
- And MORE!
I'm so grateful to have had this insightful chat with my former colleague. Liz is living proof that with dedication, adaptability, and a genuine desire to protect nature, your career can take you amazing places!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
As someone who deeply values the importance of connecting people with nature, I was thrilled to have John Muir Laws as a guest on the latest episode of The Fancy Scientist podcast.
Ever since completing my PhD and working with kids, I've recognized that fostering an emotional attachment to nature, especially during childhood, is a central solution to all conservation problems. Because when people aren’t emotionally attached to nature, they won’t know how to care about its decline and loss. These attachments are formed from experiences in nature. And what better way to cultivate that connection than through the beautiful practice of nature journaling?
Nature journaling is the simple, yet profound act of using a notebook to record and draw your observations, questions, and reflections about the natural world around you. By slowing down and paying close attention to details, you not only deepen your appreciation for nature but also enhance your ability to remember and learn.
John Muir Laws is a champion of this transformative practice. With a background in wildlife biology and a lifelong passion for nature exploration, he has dedicated himself to spreading the joy and wisdom of nature journaling across the globe. In an era where technology often disconnects us from the great outdoors, his mission to reconnect people with the natural world is more relevant than ever.
In our conversation, John shared fascinating insights and practical tips for embracing nature journaling. We explored the benefits it offers for both children and adults, discussed strategies for overcoming the initial hesitancy (especially for us grown-ups!), and celebrated the sheer magic that unfolds when we immerse ourselves in the present moment, pen and notebook in hand.
Specifically, we discussed:
- What exactly is nature journaling and how to get started
- The benefits of nature journaling and being out in nature
- The power of nature journaling in fostering deep observation, curiosity, and wonder
- Practical techniques for engaging kids in nature journaling, including prompts and scaffolding
- Overcoming the fear of "not being good enough" at drawing or writing, and embracing the journey
- The importance of role-modeling present, nature-connected behavior for children
- Strategies for making nature accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds
- And MORE!!
Whether you're a seasoned nature lover or someone seeking to reignite your connection with the great outdoors, this episode is a delightful invitation to slow down, observe, and capture the beauty that surrounds us. So grab your notebook, sharpen those pencils, and get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and appreciation through the art of nature journaling.
Happy journaling, my fellow nature enthusiasts!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
This week, I’m continuing to turn the tables on conservation podcasters by interviewing them. I had the great pleasure of sitting down with one of the Earth to Humans podcast hosts, Hannah Mulvany.
Earth to Humans explores humankind's relationship with planet Earth, covering topics within the environmental and conservation space through the diverse perspectives of its three hosts—including this episode's guest, Hannah Mulvany.
In addition to being a host and a part-time field biologist, Hannah created her own science communication career. As the director and founder of Song and Dance Communications, she has carved out a unique career, blending her expertise in communications with her love for nature. She amplifies voices for conservation and environmental stewardship by serving as a communications manager and social media strategist for various nonprofits and organizations worldwide.
With a diverse portfolio spanning graphic design, copywriting, content creation, nature storytelling, and social media management, Hannah is a true self-starter and go-getter. Her role as a science communicator is pivotal in translating scientific concepts into engaging and accessible narratives that resonate with diverse audiences and fostering a deeper communication of environmental issues among the general public.
Hannah’s journey is bound to inspire you to take action, stop waiting around, and start making things happen for yourself and the planet.
In this episode, Hannah shares invaluable insights into her approach to conservation action and the power of leveraging your skills and talents to effect change. From knocking on doors to creating her own opportunities to speaking up for the environment in everyday life, Hannah's journey exemplifies the spirit of empowerment and resilience. You'll walk away from this podcast feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to make a difference in your own life and the world around you.
Specifically, we discussed:
- How Hannah went from a traditional start in fieldwork to creating her own science communication career
- Hannah's unique journey from the world of communications to the heart of conservation and environmental advocacy
- How her passion for storytelling and love for nature intersect to drive positive change
- The secrets to her success in creating opportunities where none existed before
- How Hannah used LinkedIn to get herself work
- Hannah's advocacy work and her commitment to amplifying voices for environmental and wildlife conservation
- What it’s like to work as a science communicator and social media manager
- How Hannah balances fieldwork with her work behind the desk as a science communicator
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I was instantly captivated when I first discovered Crystal DiMicelli's podcast, Forces for Nature. You know that feeling when you find someone who shares your passion and vibe on a level that just feels right? Well, that's exactly what I felt when I tuned in!
You see, Crystal and I share a deep love for conservation and wildlife issues, and like me, Crystal understands that the “doom and gloom” narrative is not the most effective when inspiring change. Instead, on her podcast, she spotlights conservation success stories, expert insights, and even provides listeners with concrete action steps they can take, leaving them feeling energized and empowered instead of hopeless and helpless. In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I dive into the world of wildlife wins, environmental victories, and effective conservation communication through my interview with Crystal. With her 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation and environmental education, Crystal brings a unique perspective on why staying positive is a game-changer in creating meaningful change.
Since launching her podcast to highlight stories of individuals working to protect animals and habitats, Crystal has inspired countless listeners with her message of optimism and empowerment. From this episode, you'll come away feeling refreshed and ready to take positive action, just as Crystal encourages. Learn simple, everyday choices you can make to shrink your environmental footprint, gain insight into how Crystal overcomes introversion to spread her greater call to action, and get plugged into awesome resources to create change in your community!
Specifically, we discussed:
- Crystal's journey to becoming a professional science communicator including fieldwork with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
- The vision behind Forces for Nature and why she created it
- Her successful collaborations with various conservation organizations
- The importance of highlighting success stories in the environmental realm
- The impactful climate change education program for K-12 and university students she's created
- Her favorite podcast episodes that she’s done thus far
- And MORE!!
Make sure to download Crystal’s free guide: Becoming a Force for Nature so that you don’t become overwhelmed by all the doom and gloom you hear and start taking practical actions today!
https://forcesfornature.com/fancyscientist/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
When it comes to careers in wildlife, one of the things you’ll hear me say over and over again is that you need to go after what you want - you can’t just sit back and wait for things to happen. YOU have to make them happen. But what happens if you don’t know how to go after what you want? You aren’t sure exactly what to do?
That was the case for Chitra Rekha Basyal, one of my students in the Successful Wildlife Professional program. In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I want to share with you how Chitra overcame barriers to career goals by going after what she wanted - even when she didn’t know how - and finding mentorship.
Chitra found her calling in wanting to protect threatened and endangered turtles in her home country of Nepal. But as a forestry student hungry for research opportunities, she hit barrier after barrier that threatened her dream career like lack of funding, lack of connections in the field, and uncertainty about career pathways. After attending a virtual conference on turtle conservation needs in Nepal, she boldly reached out to the organizers to find a way to get involved. This led to opportunities to design her own baseline research project studying threatened Nepalese turtle species. Chitra successfully secured grant funding and collaborated with regional experts, gaining invaluable hands-on research experience.
Although Chitra developed some great research experience, she hit a wall and knew she had to get a Master’s and wanted one in the US, but had no idea how to go about this. She found me on LinkedIn and reached out.
I was so impressed by Chitra’s dedication and passion to turtle conservation and knew that I could help her dream of getting a Master’s degree come true. I thought she would be a perfect fit for my Successful Wildlife Professional Program and encouraged her to apply.
Chitra came into the program with that one goal in mind: to get a Master’s degree in the United States. She diligently attended all of the webinar training and showed up to mentoring sessions with questions to ask and her resume to work on. With mentorship and clarity on the pathway to getting a Master’s degree, Chitra put in the work and networked with people who could be an advisor to her. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, as she was invited to apply for a Master’s program. She once again put in the work during mentoring sessions; we went over her personal statements back and forth making revisions, and now she just started her Master’s program in Illinois.
Chitra's success is one of my proudest moments in guiding passionate students to achieve their wildlife conservation dreams. Through persistence and unconventional approaches, her story is one of seeking creative solutions when traditional paths are blocked.
This podcast is a must-listen for any student or professional struggling with how to break into a competitive field like wildlife biology. Chitra's passion and resourcefulness demonstrate that we can break through limitations. Her success proves that anyone with grit and vision can manifest their goals despite real and perceived obstacles.
Specifically, we discussed:
- Chitra's journey from attending a conference on turtle conservation to launching her own research project in Nepal
- The barriers Chitra faced as an international student trying to access information and opportunities
- How enrolling in the Successful Wildlife Professional gave Chitra the custom strategic support she needed
- Chitra's ultimate success in securing her dream master's position researching turtles in the United States
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
This week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast was inspired by an extremely honest and vulnerable article by Georgina Mayhew called The Conservation Career Trap. When I posted this in my Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook group, it sparked an overwhelming response from others sharing similar sentiments or fears that the same would happen to them.
Some standout comments included:
- “Everyone I speak to in the industry is frustrated, feels taken advantage of because they feel the job is seen as ‘a passion, not a skill’ and the only way up is filling a dead man’s shoes,”
- “I just finished my masters & halfway through I felt like I made a mistake pursuing this field. I wish I could turn back time and re-evaluate what I could study & do instead realistically, I’ve had to give up on my dream and I am no longer working toward a career in science at all.
- “Totally relatable! I’ve had to give up on my dream and I am no longer working toward a career in science at all. Unpaid debts and degree unused.”
- “I think this is true in my experience. Too many leadership/higher management sucking the life out of the team…”
- “I agree with it. I’ve given up on the life long dream and I’m struggling with what to do next. I had to choose what I needed to survive.”
Georgina’s post highlights the struggles many face - from the romanticized vision of working with charismatic creatures in exotic locations to the realities of day-to-day life in working in conservation, and the harsh truths of rejection, debt, and unpaid volunteering. In this podcast, I explore the topics brought up by the Conservation Career Trap and validate some of the hidden struggles that many conservationists face. I also explore the emotional toll that this career path can take and the importance of maintaining a healthy sense of self-worth separate from job success.
But here's the twist: being aware of these very real challenges doesn't mean you should abandon your dreams. Instead, it's about empowering you with knowledge of what it looks like on the other side and strategies to navigate these obstacles when they arise.
This episode is a MUST-listen for anyone considering a career in wildlife conservation. You'll gain valuable insights into the challenges you will face and learn strategies for overcoming them. By the end of this podcast, you'll be better prepared to navigate the Conservation Career Trap and pursue your passion with realistic expectations and a solid plan.
Specifically, we discussed:
- The reality of the Conservation Career Trap and its implications for aspiring conservationists
- Understanding expectations vs. reality when it comes to this field
- The importance of awareness and open discussion about the challenges in the conservation field
- Practical tips and strategies for overcoming barriers and advancing in your conservation career
- The power of MINDSET, mentorship, and support in navigating the path to a successful career
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
The wisdom of Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Braiding Sweetgrass has lingered in my mind and heart for quite some time. This episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast is pretty different from past ones, and I'm excited to explore with you the bridge between science and spirituality I hope you’ll have an open mind to explore with me.
Robin’s book inspired this podcast, leaving me with lots of thoughts and wisdom from her lessons on indigenous knowledge, nature connections, and science. I made this podcast to share this book’s profound impact on me and the lessons that we as scientists can learn from not only acknowledging and incorporating indigenous wisdom into science but also tapping into the spiritual connection. I am going to argue that all of us have a relationship with nature, but we are taught to ignore and forget about it.
Braiding Sweetgrass goes beyond the typical scientific discourse. It taps into aspects we, as scientists, often shy away from—spirituality and the profound connection between humans and nature. As I share my own journey of self-discovery and reconnection with spirituality, I want to challenge the stigma that often surrounds these topics within the scientific community.
In this episode, I explore the often ignored intersection of indigenous wisdom, conservation, and the forgotten spiritual connection that we, as scientists, have with nature. The conservation story has evolved and improved, but there's still work to be done. We must recognize and respect indigenous knowledge, learn from it, and integrate it into conservation not only because it’s the right thing to do and nature benefits from it but also because doing so teaches us lessons about ourselves, ultimately making the world a better place for everyone and everything. .
I appreciate you listening with curiosity and compassion as we explore new dimensions of the conservation story.
Specifically, I talked about:
- My personal journey rediscovering spirituality and its impact in my life
- How scientists have become overly analytical and ignored important intuitive ways of knowing
- The conflict between Western science and spirituality and the stigma around discussing faith
- Indigenous communities' sustainable coexistence with nature before colonial disruption
- Problems with past Western conservation approaches that excluded local peoples and the consequences for wildlife
- The importance of respecting indigenous wisdom and traditional ecological knowledge
- Robin Wall Kimmerer's perspectives from "Braiding Sweetgrass" on weaving indigenous worldviews with Western science
- Steps all of us, scientists included, can take to reconnect spiritually with the natural world
- Why opening our minds to different belief systems allows for more inclusive, ethical conservation
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I have so many followers interested in careers in wildlife rehabilitation so I am especially excited about this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast. I sat down with veterinarian nurse and wildlife rehabilitator, Joey Solimine AKA Joey of the Jungle. Joey is not your average adventurer - she travels all over Central and South America volunteering at different wildlife rehabilitation centers taking care of animals that have been injured, trafficked, and rescued with the hopes that they can be released back into the wild. She's the founder of Jungle Rescue Reform, an initiative dedicated to bringing attention and support to smaller rehabilitation centers throughout Central and South America so that they can more effectively take care of wildlife. In this episode, Joey and I discuss everything from the day-to-day life at wildlife facilities to the nitty-gritty details of vet tech/nurse work. We dive into Joey's extensive background, exploring her experiences in veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation and the incredible stories she's gathered from her travels.
Throughout our conversation, you'll gain valuable insights about the industry, learn about different aspects of the job, and be inspired by Joey's commitment to making a difference. If you've ever wondered what it's like to embark on a career in wildlife rehabilitation, this episode is your backstage pass.
Specifically, we discussed:
- Joey's background leading to becoming a vet nurse and wildlife rehab volunteer
- What the day-to-day life of a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer is like
- What it’s like to work as a vet nurse
- The wildlife trafficking problem and how animals end up in rehab centers
- The problems wildlife rehabilitation centers can face
- Tips for finding ethical wildlife rehabilitation organizations
- The mission of Joey's organization Jungle Rescue Reform
- Amazing rescue stories about animals like tapirs
- Opportunities to contribute with Joey and learn more about rehabilitation centers in Central and South America
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
Around the world, carnivores have been and still are heavily persecuted. Although the percentages are low, they do kill livestock, pets, and even people. The most common knee-jerk reaction for people is to do something about it, which almost always means killing the animal. For conservationists and wildlife lovers, this is a tough pill to swallow; it seems unfair to punish an animal for doing what it does and predators play important roles in the ecosystem. But even more fundamental than that - killing them doesn’t work and chances are, there will be another one back to do it again.
So what can one do to protect themselves, their pets, and the domestic livestock that they own? In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I chatted with Petros Chrysafis, an expert in human-carnivore conflict resolution and founder of Predator Detection and Deterrence, an organization dedicated to helping people address carnivore-related issues using non-lethal methods about using science, research, technology, and even some simple interventions to prevent carnivores from taking the occasional chicken, sheep, or goat.
The inspiration for this episode came from a couple of recent events that reignited my interest in solving the problems between humans and carnivores living together in the landscape. In a recent episode of "The Proof is Out There" on the History Channel, we explored animal attacks, I discussed what happened when Utah runner and hiker Kyle Burgess was charged for several minutes by an angry female mountain lion. I interviewed Kyle in a previous podcast, and revisiting his experience led me to a fascinating podcast interview featuring Petros, where his insights and approaches to mitigating mountain lion and other carnivores conflicts captured my attention.
Additionally, a seemingly unrelated Instagram post about a dead red fox caught my eye in the worst way. The caption talked about how this was a wonderful lesson for children on being connected to the land and the close association they can have with life and death. At first glance, I agreed, but then I looked at the fox, who appeared to be robust and not looking like it was on its deathbed, and realized it was probably shot. It was, simply because it did something foxes do - predate on other animals. It ate their chickens. I commented about how the death was unnecessary and that in the end, it wouldn’t work as a means to protect chickens, but my comment advocating for non-lethal solutions was met with a block, prompting me even more to reach out to Petros.
Our conversation today is both eye-opening and wide-ranging, touching on various aspects of human-carnivore conflict, but especially focusing on mountain lions and coyotes out west. I'm confident you'll gain valuable insights and perspectives from Petros whether you're interested in wildlife conservation, coexistence strategies, or simply curious about the intricate dynamics between humans and carnivores, this episode has something for everyone!
Finally, you’ll learn about how Petros decided to take a unique path amongst wildlife professionals - starting his own business - and how he uses it to truly make a difference in the lives of carnivores.
Specifically, we discussed:
- How scientists study carnivores in relation to human-wildlife conflict
- How to use camera traps to identify carnivores and assess the situation
- Developing short and long-term sustainable deterrence plans for landowners
- How letting resident carnivores be can protect your land from unknown newcomers
- How understanding carnivore behavior can lead to non-lethal, humane solutions
- How Petros went from wanting to be a marine biologist to studying carnivores out west
- How Petros started his own business in human-wildlife conflict solutions
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I'm thrilled to bring you another exciting episode this week on the Fancy Scientist podcast with National Geographic explorer and science writer Jon Waterman. Jon is not only an author of an impressive 15 books, but a modern-day explorer who's ventured into many remote and wild spaces. In his latest book, "Atlas of Wild America," published by National Geographic, he takes you to North America’s wild areas in a visual masterpiece packed with stunning photographs and intricate maps.
In our discussion, we dove deep into what wilderness means in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and explored the concept of wild spaces. Jon's incredible experiences as a former national park ranger and his captivating tales, including a thrilling encounter face-on with a polar bear, make this episode a must-listen!
Additionally, we also talk about Jon’s experiences working as a writer. For example, how and why did he start writing his first book on hiking Denali in Alaska, how he come up with ideas for his books, and what is his process for getting the resources to explore faraway places and then get paid to write about them.
This episode with Jon Waterman is an eye-opening exploration of our untamed landscapes, a journey that highlights the importance of preserving our wild spaces, and the incredible stories that can be found within them. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an explorer at heart, or simply curious about the wonders of the natural world, this episode will leave you with a new appreciation for the untamed beauty of North America.
Specifically, we discussed:
- What it’s like pursuing an unconventional career path and passion for wilderness areas
- What it’s like to be a national park ranger and some of their roles
- The writing process for successfully publishing books
- The value of following your interests in your wildlife careers
- How to go about getting funding for professional explorations
- And more!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
This week’s podcast is a little different - instead of interviewing a guest or even doing a solo episode, it’s an excerpt from a professional development session in my Successful Wildlife Professional program.
I had my students watch a podcast interview of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Chances are, you’re probably thinking, what in the world does slimming undergarments have to do with wildlife careers? Well not a lot, but the lessons from Sara Blakely’s experiences are pure gold and 100% applicable to wildlife careers.
Life has an uncanny way of leading us down paths we never thought we would go down. Growing up, I had watched my father, a dedicated business owner, tirelessly work to grow his business and support us. Despite his role as an incredible and present father, the store was a constant presence in our lives and he was always thinking about it. Even when he was “off,” he was never really off. Seeing this, I never wanted to own my own business, but now 20 years after I started my career in wildlife biology, I find myself as a small business owner.
I also realized that when I was a scientist, there were SO many similarities between being an entrepreneur and being in research. Even if you're officially employed by an organization, you are, in a way, an entrepreneur of your own research. You manage your own lab and therefore are in charge of others, you develop your own products (your research), and you sell them to others (writing grants). But most similar to what I observed from my dad, you can always be working and advancing your career by writing more grants, publications, doing outreach, etc. You can always be doing more.
Moreover, both business and scientific research share the common thread of rejection. In the business world, you've likely heard that most startups fail, a statistic not too far from the realities of scientific research. There are a myriad of challenges, setbacks, and disappointments that can permeate one’s journey. Be it grant applications, paper submissions, or manuscript rejections, the path is fraught with hurdles.
I introduced this podcast to my students because Sara Blakely's mindset exemplifies what you need to thrive in the fields of wildlife biology and conservation. It's a mindset anchored in resilience, self-belief, and the willingness to explore uncharted territories to initiate change. This message is so important that I knew I needed to share it with you too.
The original podcast, "Sara Blakely on writing your billion-dollar story with Lewis Howes," is a gold mine of wisdom, creativity, and resilience. In this episode, I distill the essence of that podcast, drawing parallels and emphasizing the necessity of adopting such a mindset in our field. If you don't harbor a deep, unwavering belief that you can succeed, that very lack of faith will be the stumbling block that holds you back. But with a mindset focused on certainty of success and a strong belief in yourself, you'll discover a way forward no matter what happens.
Sara's journey took time, approximately seven years, but her unwavering resolve and self-belief carried her through. These are the exact attitudes required for a successful career in wildlife. This episode is not only unconventional but essential. I invite you to be open-minded, take away insights that will enrich your career, and share your thoughts with us.
Specifically, we discussed:
- How Sara’s resilient and creative mindset can be applied to wildlife conservation and scientific research
- The commonality of rejection in both entrepreneurship and science and how to approach it
- Not willing to take no for an answer
- Going after your dream no matter what
- How being an outsider can actually help you
- The need for innovative thinking and the willingness to venture beyond traditional boundaries
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
A big lesson that I learned from studying abroad in Kenya is that the key to understanding a place's wildlife and conservation issues is to connect with the people living there. When my travels led me to Brazil, I knew I had to seize the opportunity to learn about its unique conservation challenges and the incredible research being done there through the passionate scientists who working on the ground.
Our guest on this week’s Fancy Scientist podcast, Dr. Fernanda Teixeira, is not only a biologist, but action-oriented in the world of conservation. She's a road ecologist, urban ecology enthusiast, and a champion of community-driven conservation initiatives. What sets Fernanda apart is her ability to transform research into action, creating tangible results that benefit both wildlife and the communities that share their space.
We know that animals get killed by cars on roads, and here in the US we often think about super abundant species like white-tailed deer being the most affected. But there are so many species impacted by road mortality, including lots we don’t think of like salamanders, lizards, turtles, and snakes, and in Brazil it can be animals like monkeys and even jaguars.
We discussed her groundbreaking work in establishing canopy bridges, some of the first ever designed in the world, to facilitate wildlife movement across roads and reduce mortality. Fernanda also shared insights into her collaboration with government agencies to create effective conservation action plans that truly make a difference. Her passion for preserving Brazil's incredible biodiversity is palpable, and I can't wait for you to hear our conversation!
As you listen to Dr. Fernanda Teixeira speak, think about how you can contribute to conservation efforts in your own way. It could be as simple as supporting organizations working on the ground to reduce road mortality in your area, attending local meetings on city planning, or raising awareness about the importance of slowing down and being more watchful in areas with lots of wildlife and/or sensitive species. Remember, small actions can lead to significant change, and together, we can make a difference.
Specifically, we discussed:
- Fernanda’s insightful work in urban environments and how it intersects with conservation efforts
- Studying howler monkeys and the vital role these primates play in their ecosystems
- Involving local communities in conservation initiatives and the positive impact it has on both people and wildlife
- Creating effective action plans for the preservation of nature
- How to go about establishing canopy bridges and new conservation initiatives
- The significance of applied conservation research and its real-world implications for saving species and ecosystems
- How to go about a career in conservation
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
Lots of people think that the only way you can work in conservation and make a difference is by studying threatened animals to learn more about them so that we can save them. But there are a million ways to make a difference and drive impact in this field, especially when you follow your heart, pursue your passion, and open yourself up to creative possibilities.
In today’s Fancy Scientist podcast episode, we have a guest like none other before, author, keynote speaker, and facilitator Julie C. Henry, who’s using lessons from wildlife to teach and inspire others about leadership. We dive deep into this unique and captivating topic—connecting leadership to wildlife.
Julie's journey is far from typical. After realizing that the traditional path of being a scientist wasn't her calling, she embarked on a career as a senior leader in zoos and aquariums. But here's where it gets particularly interesting - Julie has since become the founder and president of Finish Line Leadership, a strategic facilitation and panel moderation services company, and has worked with over fifty-five organizations across corporate, nonprofit, government, association, and community sectors. She's also written the book, Wisdom from the Wild, on the same topic for anyone to learn.
In our conversation, we uncover how she carved this unconventional career path for herself, transitioning from a zoologist to a keynote speaker. If you're curious about non-traditional careers, or if you've ever dreamed of stepping onto the stage as a speaker, this episode is especially for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion, especially the part where we delved into public speaking, something I'm personally passionate about. Remember, there's more than one way to make an impact, and Julie's journey exemplifies just that.
As you listen, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. Are you on the path that truly resonates with your passions and values? Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to making a difference in the world. Embrace your uniqueness and explore unconventional ways to create a positive impact on our planet.
Specifically, we discussed:
- The importance of listening to yourself and pursuing your passion
- That it’s okay to leave research or science careers and how to switch out of it
- How to think creatively about your career
- The significance of fostering a deep connection with nature
- What careers are like as a public speaker
- What zoo and aquarium careers are like
- And MORE!!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
After recently moving to the Chicago area, I have been captivated by the urban wildlife in the area, particularly the coyotes. Seeing them in broad daylight, not just at dusk or from afar, has been a remarkable experience! (I’ve only seen a coyote once in my life and it was in Yellowstone National Park before) I wanted to learn more about the work being done to understand and appreciate urban species like these coyotes.
In today's Fancy Scientist podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Seth Magle, whose work at the Lincoln Park Zoo focuses on studying urban wildlife. As he shares insights from his research and experiences, we explore the unique challenges and opportunities that come with studying urban wildlife. Despite being some of the most common species we encounter, our understanding of their behavior and ecology remains remarkably limited!
Throughout the conversation, we dive into the specifics of urban wildlife research in the Chicago area. From the abundance of common coyotes and red foxes to the largest colony of endangered Black Crown Night herons in the state, we explore Dr. Seth's research, and gain valuable insights into zoo careers. He provides a glimpse into his role at the Lincoln Park Zoo and offers a broader understanding of zoo jobs as a whole in the field.
In this conversation, networking emerges as a crucial aspect of building a successful career in wildlife, and Seth shares practical advice to help both introverts and extroverts navigate this process. We discuss the importance of networking and provide tips to overcome any fears or hesitations you may have. Remember, networking opens doors and presents exciting opportunities for career growth!
Whether you have an interest in wildlife careers or want to learn about the incredible wildlife that has adapted to and is thriving in urban areas, this interview is a must-listen. Join me as I chat with Dr. Seth Magle, and prepare to be inspired by the wonders of urban wildlife and the possibilities they hold for research and conservation.
Stay tuned until the end, where Seth shares valuable advice that compliments my own insights.
Specifically, we discussed:
- The significance of studying urban wildlife and its link to conservation
- The limitations of our knowledge, why there is a lack of information about urban wildlifes, and the need for further research
- The diverse opportunities available within zoo settings
- The power of networking in wildlife careers
- What zoo jobs are like and how to get started in them
- And MORE!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
Navigating career paths can be a daunting challenge. We pour our time and effort into applications, only to be met with rejection after rejection. Many aspiring wildlife professionals can relate to the frustration and self-doubt that arise from these setbacks.
In the pursuit of our dreams and career goals, we often find ourselves facing moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. Thoughts of inadequacy and imposter syndrome can quietly seep in, casting doubts on our abilities and leaving us feeling hopeless when we don’t get the outcomes we want. But in the face of these challenges, one of the most valuable lessons we can learn is the importance of not giving up.
Today on the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I interviewed Nicole Blankertz, park ranger with Michigan State Parks, and alumni of my Successful Wildlife Professional. Nicole didn’t expect to become a park ranger, in fact, she was determined to become a wildlife researcher, but she struggled to get positions when the pandemic changed her plans. Nicole's path was far from smooth sailing - it included setbacks and self-doubt that would have caused many to throw in the towel.
Nicole graduated in 2020 and had an internship lined up, which got canceled because of COVID. She applied to other jobs but didn't get any. Just rejection after rejection. All of these rejections led to some imposter syndrome and frustration and she knew things had to change. She made a big decision and enrolled in the The Successful Wildlife Professional program so that we could work together to get her interviews.
Through learning from the program and personal mentoring from me, we improved Nicole’s job application and things changed dramatically. We focused only on her job application without adding a single new experience, skill, certification, etc. We just emphasized and demonstrated the experience she already had.
Nicole also decided to apply for some jobs outside of the realm of wildlife research. The outcome of all of this? A life-changing position with the parks department, proving that a strategy and persistent mindset can unlock unexpected possibilities.
In this episode, we talk about what it's like to work as a park ranger and how Nicole is keeping the possibility of working in wildlife research again open. So, if you're wrestling with imposter syndrome or feel like giving up, this episode is for you! Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and armed with the tools to conquer your own self-doubt. When you believe in yourself, refuse to give up, and take action, there's no limit to what you can achieve.
Specifically, we discussed:
- How to revamp your job application and enhance your chances of getting hired
- The unwavering importance of persistence in the face of rejection
- The significance of non-wildlife jobs and transferable skills in attaining your dream wildlife career
- What it’s like to work as a park ranger and in the park service
- Key considerations to understand when contemplating a career change
- And much more, including invaluable GREEN FLAGS to guide you in pursuing your dream career in wildlife biology!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
Experience is critical to build your career in wildlife, ecology, or conservation biology. When you’re just starting out though, this can be hard to get. Even unpaid volunteer positions can be treated like jobs where you apply and can get rejected.
Some of these volunteer positions are through organizations abroad, especially Africa, where they tell aspiring wildlife professionals that they can get experience by volunteering in their organization doing things like tracking and surveying animals. But these experiences end up costing money, not only through the lost income from volunteering when you could be working, but also paying for the flight and program fees to cover room and board.
This leaves a lot of aspiring wildlife biologists confused. Spending all of that money for an experience can be risky, but it could be rewarding if it pays off in the end. In fact, a lot of the students I talk to think they have to volunteer abroad to be successful at building a career in wildlife.
But there’s more to the story…
Some organizations market their volunteering opportunities towards younger people not necessarily interested in wildlife careers, but animal lovers who want to have an experience helping out cheetahs or elephants where they think they are having an impact on conservation. This is called voluntourism because it’s combining travel with volunteering and the emphasis is more on having an experience rather than building skills for your resume.
And to make things even MORE confusing, there’s a large range of impact that these conservation organizations have. Some have a very direct and important impact on conservation efforts, while others prioritize user experience and volunteer satisfaction over conservation. The type of organization you work with will impact your experience with the former more likely to set you up with quality experience for wildlife careers, and the later more likely to just be fun.
In this episode, I invited an expert to help us navigate all of these complicated volunteering opportunities. Abroad. I chatted with Matt Snider, PhD student at North Carolina State University, and my former lab mate about his experiences voluntouring, volunteering, and working in several countries throughout Africa. He shares his insights and advice on what his experiences were like, what to look for when looking at program, how to make decisions in choosing opportunities, and how to make the most of them once you start.
Specifically, we discussed:
- What are volunteering opportunities like abroad
- What is the difference between volunteering and voluntourism and how they overlap
- Is volunteering worth the investment? Does it pay off?
- Should everyone volunteer abroad? Is it necessary for a successful career?
- How volunteering can lead to a job
- Important considerations to take into account when choosing a program
- How to choose an ethical voluntourism opportunity
- Planning for a successful voluntourism experience
- The pros and cons of being a voluntourist
- And MORE exclusive tips and tricks to build your career as a wildlife biologist!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
As a wildlife professional, I understand the struggles that many professionals in this field face when trying to secure a job. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the larger goals and overlook the smaller, yet crucial, steps needed to succeed. Pursuing a wildlife career can be a challenging endeavor that demands significant effort and perseverance.
Perhaps you’re currently wondering what the secret ingredient is to achieving a thriving career in wildlife. I myself have pondered the same thing in the past.
There is no one secret – through my own experiences, I’ve come to realize that success begins from within and at your identity level. It’s about making small, consistent changes to your behavior driven from your identity that will eventually lead to significant improvements over time. Of course, this applies to pursuing your dream job in wildlife.
In this podcast episode, I talk about a book that exemplifies this: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, and how it can help aspiring wildlife professionals and scientists let go of large, sudden changes and instead embrace small incremental shifts to secure their dream job and pursue their career goals. I share the Four Laws of Behavior Change from Atomic Habits and how they are the key to good habits.
This book is a very valuable resource for anyone looking to make positive changes in their career. At first, I thought this was just another habit book, but I highly recommend this particular book as Clear presents a clear (no pun intended! haha) and an actionable framework for developing better habits backed by scientific research and real-life examples.
I personally explored how to apply these principles to specific areas in my life such as fitness, productivity, relationships, and landing a wildlife professional career. Moreover, I share how Atomic Habits can help each of you break the process down into manageable steps and create a more positive and rewarding experience. By focusing on small, consistent improvements, you can build lasting habits that lead to success in finding the right wildlife job!
Specifically, I explained these frameworks for success:
- The importance of understanding your values, interests, and strengths
- How to make finding the right career path process more appealing
- Establishing a routine that makes it easy to take action
- Maintaining motivation and momentum throughout the career search process
- And MORE nuggets of wisdom!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
I love hearing success stories from people who have finally landed their dream jobs, especially after challenging and twisty career paths. I always like to say, your current situation is not your final destination, so I believe to strive toward your dream relentlessly.
Additionally, most professors do not know how to advise for non-academic jobs. Have you been frustrated that your university has no experts in the field you wish to pursue and you feel lost?
Most aspiring wildlife professionals look forward to landing that dream job after graduating college, but especially from graduate school they expect little difficulty in getting one. But in reality, that’s not always the case. How do you cope when you haven’t reached the wildlife career you’ve been working towards so hard?
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I interviewed Francisco Llaguer, someone who had these kinds of struggles (similar to mine after graduate school), but is now finally working with herpetofauna at the Houston Zoo— his dream job.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I interviewed Francisco Llaguer, someone who had these kinds of struggles (similar to mine after graduate school), but is now finally working with herpetofauna at the Houston Zoo— his dream job.
From talking to lots of you on Zoom, I know that many of you have experienced or are currently experiencing what Francisco has been through. But after some detours, with the right mindset and attitude through the help of the Successful Wildlife Professional program, Francisco has finally landed the career he worked so hard for!
Specifically, we talked about:
- The importance of mindset!
- How to equip yourself with the skills and mindset you NEED for the career you want that is not being taught in academia;
- Going from graduate school to a job outside of his field and making the transition back;
- The challenges and turning point he experienced while pursuing a job; and
- What made him decide to join the Successful Wildlife Professional Program, what it’s like to be in the program, and the positive impacts it brought him
- And MORE!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Thank you so much for participating in the Thrive in Wildlife Career Challenge. You seriously exceeded my expectations. Thank you for showing up at your FULLEST if you have - and if you haven’t, you still have time to catch up :)
If you missed Days 1-4, that’s okay. You can catch up. This challenge will be up until January 27th. After that, I am taking it off of my podcast.
Today we are integrating everything we learned over the last 5 days through the 3 pillars essential for career success so that you know exactly what to do to get what you want in this career.
If you experienced shifts this week and want to go even deeper with me and other amazing, like-minded individuals, then get ready to join me in my most transformational program -- The Successful Wildlife Professional.
SWP is where you'll solidify your plan and know how to execute it through my guidance so that you really can have your dream career.
Doors open Monday, January 23rd and are only open until Monday, January 30th. It only opens a couple of times a year. You don't wanna miss it!
Scholarships also open up on Monday January 23rd and will be announced on the 27th.
When you are doing this challenge, be sure to save your answers from the exercises. I am giving away free scholarships to my Successful Wildlife Professional program and you will need those answers to enter. I will have a form for you to enter before next week.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
It’s the end of the 5 day challenge! Once you’ve finished today, you’ve made it - but the challenge is not completely over, read until the end…
For today, we are learning to BELIEVE. Today is the most important day, so if you feel like you can skip this one - please don’t! It sounds cheesy to believe in yourself, but we are not being cheesy. We are going to talk about how to get your brain to work for you, setting you up for success.
Because the truth is, that if you truly believe in yourself and your ability to get the job that you desire, the other stuff will come. Because with the belief you will be motivated and dedicated to getting it - that’s truly what happened to me.
If you missed Days 1-4, that’s okay. You can catch up. This challenge will be up until January 27th. After that, I am taking it off of my podcast.
When you are doing this challenge, be sure to save your answers from the exercises. I am giving away free scholarships to my Successful Wildlife Professional program and you will need those answers to enter. I will have a form for you to enter before next week.
I’m going to send you 1 extra bonus audio that gives you the full blueprint to take everything you've learned so far to the expert level and details on the Successful Wildlife Professional scholarship. This is where you'll discover how to take your challenge results and make them really happen!
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
We are officially on day four of the Thrive in Wildlife Career Challenge! I am blown away by how committed and driven you have been throughout the last few days...it makes me so excited to teach you today's lesson!
For today, day 4, ACT, I am going to teach you how little actions add up to BIG results. And if you’ve been feeling stuck, confused, lost, or just want to get ahead I’m going to get started on some action now.
And here's a link to the Job Tracker (https://stephanieschuttler.com/job-tracker/) - this will probably come in handy for you later on.
If you missed Days 1-3, that’s okay. You can catch up. This challenge will be up until January 27th. After that, I am taking it off of my podcast.
When you are doing this challenge, be sure to save your answers from the exercises. I am giving away free scholarships to my Successful Wildlife Professional program and you will need those answers to enter. I will have a form for you to enter before next week.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
We are now halfway through the Thrive in Wildlife Career Challenge! How's it going? Are you feeling pumped up about having a roadmap started to your wildlife career?
Today we're going to go further into how to close the gap between where you currently are and where you ultimately desire to be in your wildlife career.
Now that we’ve determined your endpoint and created a roadmap, how has that shifted your perception of what is possible for you?
From days 1 and 2, there are likely still lots of gaps. You probably couldn’t answer some or even all of the questions I gave you. Don’t worry. In today’s episode, I am going to teach you how to answer them and/or find the answers. It’s Day 3: Ask.
If you missed Days 1 and 2 - that’s okay. You can catch up. This challenge will be up until January 27th. After that, I am taking it off of my podcast.
When you are doing this challenge, be sure to save your answers from the exercises. I am giving away free scholarships to my Successful Wildlife Professional program and you will need those answers to enter. I will have a form for you to enter before next week.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
We officially kicked off day 1, Dream, of the Thrive in Wildlife Career Challenge yesterday and the energy I am getting from you guys is amazing. Thank you for being here.
I am excited to continue our journey together this week so let’s go!
Today we are wasting absolutely no time and are building your roadmap. You’ll take the dream job or jobs you thought of yesterday and use that as your North star. I’ll give you questions that you’ll answer and you’ll use those answers to start filling in your roadmap.
If you missed Day 1 - that’s okay. You can catch up. This challenge will be up until January 27th. After that, I am taking it off of my podcast. To briefly recap, I had you go through a visualization exercise to bring you to your dream job.
If you had trouble visualizing a dream job, that’s ok - keep going on to day 2. I give you instructions on how to work with this.
When you are doing this challenge, be sure to save your answers from the exercises. I am giving away free scholarships to my Successful Wildlife Professional program and you will need those answers to enter. I will have a form for you to enter before next week.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
How excited are you to officially begin the Thrive in Wildlife Challenge and learn how to create your own roadmap leading you to your dream job?
You’re probably feeling ready to have a career with more certainty leading to more success and impact making a difference for wildlife.
It’s day one, and chances are throughout our time together you're going to have some a-ha moments that will start the momentum in your career, getting you excited for what’s to come in 2023 so make sure to listen closely.
Today is all about creating a dream. You wouldn’t just show up to the airport and say “take me anywhere” to the person at the ticket counter, and the same should be true for your career. The first part of the roadmap is your endpoint - your dream job.
Don’t have a dream job? Don’t worry. I lead you through a guided exercise that will help you visualize what’s ideal for you.
So get ready to stop playing small, putting restrictions on the kinds of jobs you think you can get, and only going for “realistic” options. Today we are going to dream.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Welcome to the Thrive in Wildlife Career Challenge!
This is a 5 days challenge of audio messages and short exercises that will teach you how to create your own roadmap to ensure your success in wildlife careers. These audios will get you excited, pumped, and inspired about your career in wildlife, ecology, zoology, or conservation biology so that you can THRIVE in your profession and get the job you dream of!
No matter where you are in your career, this challenge will help you.
This is the pre-challenge episode - it’s super important to listen to this message so that you understand how this career challenge will help you - without this context you may be confused and you’ll also miss out on valuable info that I’ve learned from my 20 years.
I am also excited to announce I am offering scholarships! Several times a year, I open the doors for the Successful Wildlife Professional. This program contains 20 years of knowledge about the wildlife career field in 40 webinars you get to keep forever and group mentoring by me. You get to ask ANY questions you want unique to your situation in a peer setting and receive community support.
That means getting into my mentoring program for free. More details are coming, but to apply for a scholarship, you must enroll in the Thrive in Wildlife Challenge here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/ so make sure you do that now! The Thrive in Wildlife challenge is like a mini version of the Successful Wildlife Professional so it will give you a taste of what it is like.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
Sign up for my next free job training: https://stephanieschuttler.com/trainingwaitlist/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
When I give advice to young wildlife professionals or those aspiring to go into this career, I always tell them to reverse engineer it. To “start with the end in mind,” (a quote from Stephen Covey), but what if you don’t know what the end looks like?
Or what happens if you thought you wanted something and you went after it, but then you realized maybe you want something else. And if you decide to pursue that other thing, what does that mean about you?
How do you know who you really are and what you really want? If you are on the right track?
I have some free tools to help you – I have the Job Tracker, but you may still be confused on what want or what the end looks like. I’ve talked to SO many students who are interested in multiple options and directions and don’t know how to choose. And who are we really when it comes to our careers?
These are some big questions that I am going to explore today. Really finding out who you are and what you really want, how to know if you’re on the right track, and maybe this episode will give you some permission to really go after what you.
If this is the first episode you’ve ever watched or listened to, this one is going to be a little bit different. It’s an episode that is definitely relevant for those who are interested in wildlife careers, but if you are not, there are still many lessons that will help you.
It’s a very personal episode for me as I have gone through a lot of major professional and life changes this year. I’m experiencing a reset in many areas of my life and these are some of the questions that I have really been thinking about lately. Who am I professionally? What do I want?
What does it mean about me if I change what I decide to go after? This podcast will definitely give you some perspective. It will give you lots of unconventional advice, but it’s great advice. This is an episode all about figuring out who you really are and giving you permission to go after what it really is that you want.
Full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/91-identity/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Have you ever thought about starting an environmental career, but instead chose a more “safe” and “secure” route? Or maybe you are currently tempted by it or you simply didn’t know how to go about a wildlife career and took a path that was more easily laid out?
Is there a part of you that still wonders “what if?” but worries it might be too late or are too scared to step out of your comfort zone?
We only get one life to live and so much of our lives are dedicated to our work – simply by the hours put in. What if I told you it isn’t too late. If you feel at all pulled to make a change then I’m here to tell you that you can. But maybe you don’t know how…
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I interview web developer Melina Shack about her experience transforming from computer scientist into a career in wildlife, ecology, and the environment. Perhaps just like you, Melina didn’t know how to start the transition or even if it was possible. But it is and she is currently starting an environmental career.
Melina is a student in my Successful Wildlife Professional program and had no idea about how to go about changing careers, but she felt a pull that that was the right move for her. She had always been interested in careers in the environment and ecology, but she didn’t know how to get there, and she took computer science because it was a lucrative, safe, and secure route. In this interview we talk about how she is making that transition through the help of my mentorship and being in the Successful Wildlife Professional program.
Melina has just started this transition after being accepted into graduate school (with a scholarship!) several months ago. We talk about the steps she has taken to make this transition and what it’s like her first semester in graduate school.
Specifically, we chat about:
- What it’s like for her to start graduate school and experience her first semester
- What got her to finally make the transition into a career in the environment
- What it’s like for her to start graduate school and experience her first semester in a different field
- How to go to graduate school as a working professional – having a full-time job and enrolling in a Master’s program
- The difference between thesis and non-thesis Master’s programs
and MORE!
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy\_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
It’s no secret that the wildlife or conservation field can be competitive, and many of you have always asked me, “How do I get my foot in the door?” or “Is there any chance that I will get a permanent job in the future?” And my answer is always yes. If this is what you truly want, you can get it, but it will require strategy. Gone are the days of just getting a degree and a job quickly, which will require other things you might not know about and even thinking outside the box.
Scott Putnam loves to give this kind of advice to students and entry-level job seekers. Scott has worked as a Regional Fisheries Biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for over thirty years. He spearheads monitoring anadromous fish in freshwater and their migration to and from saltwater, which requires remarkable fieldwork like snorkeling in beautiful rivers for hours. And you may have heard Scott’s name before. If you listened to podcast episode #86: Getting a Wildlife Career with NO Wildlife Experience: Interview with Ron Lewis, you’ll recognize that Scot is the person who hired Ron. Ron spoke so highly of Scott and knew he had so much great advice to give that he connected us both for this interview to help all of you out.
In this podcast, I interview Scott about his career as a fisheries biologist, from volunteering to working his way up. You might think Scott had his fisheries career set from the beginning, but that wasn’t the case; he took a side trip as an enforcement officer in conservation and a business management position along the way.
So how did Scott build his career as a regional fisheries biologist, and what tips does he have for aspiring biologists? Trust me - this podcast is GOLD. Scott reveals many great career tips - many that you have likely never heard - and stories of his fun adventures in fieldwork.
Specifically, we discussed:
- What does Scott Putnam do as a Regional Biologist in the Department of Fish and Game, and how did he get where he is today?
- What it’s like to work in the US government
- What it’s like to work as a fisheries biologist
- What it’s like to work in conservation law
- Is there a difference between fisheries and terrestrial wildlife? Can one easily transition between the two?
- How the field has changed over three decades
- How does someone navigate the hiring process, especially for government jobs
- How to advance in your career
- How do you quit a position without burning their bridges?
- What kind of education do you need to get jobs - is a master’s necessary?
- How to get your first permanent position
- How to stand apart from everyone else in job applications and thinking outside the box
- What skills to have that they won’t teach you in school
And MORE!
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
You may have heard me on social media talk about how I am writing a kids’ book and unless you are new to the podcast, you will already know that I wrote a book called Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know. I am so excited to announce that my kids’ book, My First Book of Earth, is now available for pre-order and will soon be available everywhere on August 2nd.
With this official news, lots of people have been asking me, how I did this. Today I am going into detail about that – talking about the entire experience – from setting it up, writing, and getting it published with a publishing company.
For the second part of the podcast, I’m also gonna tell you about my experience writing my other book, Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology, which is a book I self-published in 2020. This is a book I wrote entirely by myself – with no publisher – and has done well since its release selling hundreds of copies.
Writing both of these books has been such a fun experience and great learning process. I really hope this podcast inspires you to write a book if this is something you have been thinking about. This is something you really can do!
I am going to break it down for you and also talk about the advantages of working with a publisher and self-publishing. Specifically, I talk about:
- How I was approached by publisher
- How long it took me to write both books
- My process for writing for kids and for adults
- My process for writing when working with a publisher and on my own
- The challenges that come with writing a kids’ book including maintaining scientific accuracy without using jargon and sticking to a word limit
- How the books were designed
- How I was inspired to write a book
- An overview of how to self-publish
- How I used the Best Self Journal to write my book
- What you need to know about marketing your book during the pre-release phase
- and MORE!
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
You may have heard me on social media talk about how I am writing a kids’ book and unless you are new to the podcast, you will already know that I wrote a book called Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know. I am so excited to announce that my kids’ book, My First Book of Earth, is now available for pre-order and will soon be available everywhere on August 2nd.
With this official news, lots of people have been asking me, how I did this. Today I am going into detail about that – talking about the entire experience – from setting it up, writing, and getting it published with a publishing company.
For the second part of the podcast, I’m also gonna tell you about my experience writing my other book, Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology, which is a book I self-published in 2020. This is a book I wrote entirely by myself – with no publisher – and has done well since its release selling hundreds of copies.
Writing both of these books has been such a fun experience and great learning process. I really hope this podcast inspires you to write a book if this is something you have been thinking about. This is something you really can do!
I am going to break it down for you and also talk about the advantages of working with a publisher and self-publishing. Specifically, I talk about:
- How I was approached by publisher
- How long it took me to write both books
- My process for writing for kids and for adults
- My process for writing when working with a publisher and on my own
- The challenges that come with writing a kids’ book including maintaining scientific accuracy without using jargon and sticking to a word limit
- How the books were designed
- How I was inspired to write a book
- An overview of how to self-publish
- How I used the Best Self Journal to write my book
- What you need to know about marketing your book during the pre-release phase
- and MORE!
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
I know that so many of you out there are struggling to get jobs in wildlife biology. I see all of these posts in the wildlife Facebook groups, and when people join my own Facebook group, Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology, I reach out to them and ask them what they’re struggling with. I truly understand how tough it is out there to get a job.
There is more competition than ever before, and the requirements have changed. What used to get you a job is not good enough now. People are frustrated, tired, feeling defeated, and honestly just quite sad.
So I’m doing something that I’ve never done before. If you are sick and tired of not having a job in wildlife biology, if you’ve been applying and applying and applying and can’t get anything, or if you are training for a job in wildlife and you’re scared, then you are going to want in on this four day workshop that I am doing for the very first time.
At 8:00 PM Eastern time starting June six, I am going to be condensing and sharing with you the four most important things to have, do, and be for wildlife biology careers. This also pertains to ecology, conservation biology, biology, zoology, and all of the “ologies.” This is all free. It’s based on my nearly 20 years of experience. You are going to want to get in on this workshop.
For today’s podcast as a lead-up to the workshop, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the biggest mistakes that I see that people do when they are trying to get a job.
No matter where you are in your career – if you are at the very beginning stages or if you are applying for jobs, frustrated, crying, and punching pillows, then you’re going to want to listen to this episode. These are the top nine mistakes that I see people do who are struggling to get jobs in wildlife biology, ecology, conservation biology, and related fields.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
One of my favorite podcast episodes to share with people is #46: Starting a Wildlife Career at 40: Interview with Jeffrey Hunter. In this episode, I interview Jeffrey Hunter of the National Parks Conservation Association on how he left his corporate job to pursue one in wildlife at 40.
One of the people listening to this was Ron Lewis. During the pandemic, Ron was let go from his engineering job at 49. He always loved wildlife and it had lingered in the back of his mind that he should pursue a wildlife career, but things always got in the way.
One day he happened to be listening to the Jeffrey Hunter interview and it changed his life. This was the sign he needed – it was finally the perfect time to pursue this career.
Ron and I started talking on Instagram and I was so excited to hear this! But even more exciting was that Ron got a job right away – a full time job. And he was also back in school.
To be honest, this was pretty surprising to me. I hear all the time (and experienced it myself) about how difficult it is to get jobs. But he got one right away and with NO experience. How did he do it? I knew I had to have him on the podcast to find out.
In this episode, we talk about just exactly that – how Ron got a job once he made the decision to pursue this career. As you’ll find out, Ron is a master networker, so it wasn’t just luck. We also talk about how having mechanical experience is a big asset in this field.
Specifically, we talk about:
- What were Ron’s first steps to transitioning to a career in wildlife
- How Ron networked effectively (and you can too)
- How Ron’s previous job helped him get his wildlife job
- Unexpected skills that will help you in wildlife jobs
- What kinds of non-wildlife jobs are best to get if you can’t get a wildlife job
- What Unity online college is like
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Whenever I talk to someone who wants my help, I always ask them “What is your ultimate career goal?” and frequently the answer is “something with endangered species.
We’ve all seen the videos of scientists opening up a cage with a wolf inside, and it sprinting out of it to return to the wild where it belongs, or some variation of that with another species. These videos are so inspiring and uplifting – they make us feel so good and like there is hope for conservation. But there’s a lot of work that goes into those few moments of release that you don’t see.
We go into this career because we love wildlife, and much of our wildlife is in crisis, so it makes sense that so many people want to do endangered species work – they want to make a difference and have an impact. But what does it really entail? What does it look like?
On this week’s podcast, I talk about what it’s like to work in careers with endangered species. I realize this is a GIGANTIC topic and there’s no way that I could cover it all in one podcast, but here I give you a taste of what some of those careers look like.
I especially focus on reintroductions, not because this is the majority of endangered species careers, but because so many of people want to go into and are fascinated by these careers.
If you’ve ever wanted to work with endangered species or are curious about all of the science and prep work that goes into reintroductions, today I am peeling back the curtain to show you what that research is really like.
For full show notes click here
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more?
Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Students always ask me – how do I choose my research? When I was in graduate school, this question lingered over me for the first six months. How in the world, out of all of the things to study do I pick something?
Most people will tell you to follow your passion – but what happens if you (like me) are passionate about many things? How do you choose? Or what if you aren’t sure what you are passionate about at all?
Surprisingly, choosing your research based on what you are passionate about alone is bad advice. In this video, I explain why.
If you are going into a research career, listening to this video is a must – especially if you expect to be the one leading the research (a principal investigator) because your research will likely set you up for your entire career trajectory.
If you’re not a scientist or not going into research, this episode is still worth a listen. You’ll understand how scientists approach their area of interest and structure their research.
For full show notes click here
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
I was having some struggles in my business – specifically how to talk about my program to potential student.
I was thinking about purchasing a new course to help me with this problem and I was asking my mastermind group members what they thought.
It was a big chunk of change: $2,000. Normally we encourage each other to invest in ourselves, but one of my members felt like I already had the training I needed – and that it was more of my mindset I needed help with.
She also suggested I could receive free training if I sign up to be an affiliate for a program I enrolled in two years ago. I didn’t think I could do it because I didn’t think the program would be fit for my audience, but she pushed me anyway to get me to learn more about the process.
Shortly after I signed up, the wildlife biologist above made that comment. I also thought about another wildlife biologist with a big following on Instagram who sells products and then I thought, maybe there is something to this? Maybe this is something my audience would be interested in.
I am blown away by the opportunity that is out there nowadays and I invite you to join me to entertain the thought of starting your own digital side hustle.
For full show notes click here
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
On this week's podcast, I talk about a hot button issue and one you probably wouldn't expect from a wildlife biology and conservation based podcast: money. I always knew I wouldn't make a lot of money in my career, but was surprised at how low the salary levels were for the jobs I qualified for.
And lately there's been a lot of talk about things like unpaid internships and volunteering in our career and that young professionals shouldn't take them and organizations shouldn't offer them. As someone who has worked for an institution and has mentored over a dozen students - only one of which was paid, this is not realistically an option and I have a lot of doubt that it will increase inclusion and diversity.
I was nervous recording this episode because I'm going to say some things that I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with. But I am all about empowering you. An empowering question to ask yourself is "what can I do?" The goal of this podcast is not necessarily to debate the above topics, but to reframe your thinking and ultimately your belief system, so that it works in favor for you to advance to where you want to be in this current career climate.
I've personally been working on my money mindset for years now and I've learned a lot from the entrepreneurial world about how our beliefs limit us. Today, I invite you to think of things differently - or at least be open to it. I compare wildlife careers to other fields, talk about volunteering and unpaid internships from the perspective of an employer, and give you examples of people from other careers in bad money situations who were able to make it happen for them.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Productivity seems to be more of a career-oriented topic, but this is actually really important in wildlife and conservation work, and it’s something that is often overlooked.
When I was in graduate school and working as a postdoc, I often felt so overwhelmed with all the work I had to do. I know that many other people out there feel exactly the same way. There’s several reasons for this.
First, there’s just a lot of problems to work on regarding wildlife and conservation. Human population growth keeps increasing and therefore we continue to have issues with habitat destruction and loss, human wildlife conflict, and of course we have climate change to name a few. There are just so many things for us to work on!
Another big component is about the support – or should I say the lack of support. To effectively work on the increasing number of problems we have, we really need the funding to be able to hire for a lot of positions to employ people to help solve these.
But we don’t have that in wildlife and conservation work. Our field is very poorly funded compared to other fields. Although the data and trends show that conservation nature jobs are increasing. They’re not increasing at the same level as people who want to enter the career or graduate. In other words, there’s more work out there with fewer people doing the work meaning professionals have to do more work for each job than they used to.
It’s really important, therefore, that we be productive so that we can efficiently work on conservation and wildlife problems!
On top of that, conservation and wildlife work carries an emotional “weight” that can make it difficult to work sometimes.
In the past few years, I became an entrepreneur running the Fancy Scientist (i.e. the blog you are reading right now!). I have listened to a lot of entrepreneurial podcasts, audio books, and have taken many courses. The mindset between scientists and entrepreneurs is incredibly different. Scientists can learn so much from the entrepreneurial world about how to be more productive. The processes behind many of the things that we are doing in the science/conservation arena is a slow and inefficient way to do things.
In this podcast, I share with you my biggest tip. It’s the most important tip and it will likely surprise you.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
In mid 2020 when COVID shut so many things down ( virtually everything), a lot of people lost their volunteer positions, internships, or seasonal positions, and they felt that it really set them back in their career in terms of getting experience. Some people are still having a hard time finding openings because of COVID.
Back then, I did an episode (#7) on three things you could do to still get experience and skills. Since I talk to so many people who are still struggling, I thought it would be great to give a whole episode on this - with more things and with my previous suggestions more flushed out.
If you just want to or are in the process of becoming a wildlife biologist, ecologist, conservation biologist or just want to do some science-ing on your own, these seven tips will really help you out.
On this podcast, I am really about empowering people and I've learned over the years to take full responsibility for myself. What that means is that no matter what happens in the external world, there's always something you CAN do. In fact, one of my favorite mantras is "what can I do?"
We live in such an amazing time where information, education, instructional videos, even courses, are all at our fingertips.
We live in such an amazing time where information, education, instructional videos, even courses, are all at our fingertips.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Hello everyone. And welcome to the Fancy Scientist. We’re still pretty new into the new year, about the end of January. And I am going to talk about the importance of having a vision for the longest time.
I did have certain goals, but they were either pretty obvious or pretty short term.
And I didn’t have an overall vision. So when it came to graduating and then looking for a job. I quite honestly felt lost. And I know I am not alone. I talk to a lot of graduates, a lot of students, and so many of them feel lost today. We’re going to go deeper than just goal setting. Although I am going to talk about goals.
And we’re going to talk about what I mean when I talk about vision, how I created my vision, some questions that I use to help define my vision.
And just how important vision has been for me in terms of letting me get things done, enjoy my life, feeling accomplished, feeling productive, and really working on the things that matter to me and my career.
So let’s not hesitate anymore. But actually I do want to say no matter where you are, when you’re listening to this podcast, if it’s January, if it’s August, you can start. So don’t wait for the new year. Get started today. Okay. Let’s talk about how to create a vision for yourself.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
For full show notes click here.
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Hi guys. I am back. Yes. It's been a minute. If you are a regular listener to this podcast, you will remember. At the end of September, I said I was taking a break originally. I had planned to just take October. But I ended up taking off until now. Now when I say take a break, I wasn't completely taking a break.
I was really focusing my time on other things. So I did take a break from the podcast from pretty much all social media and. YouTube as well. So today I am going to talk about the beauty and the power in taking breaks. And it's really about saying no to, to something else. A lot of times it's not even you, in this case, it was say no to me, but a less important part of me at the time.
So we're going to talk about saying no how to say no. The importance of saying no. How to say how to know what to say no to that's a lot of nos. And then I'm also going to give you an update on what I've been doing and where I see the fancy scientist going for this new year in 2022. I love new years. It is such an exciting time because there is just so much possibility.
Now that's true. Anytime of the year, you can, if you're listening to this in August, you can declare a new year right now. And in fact, I use a three month planner that kind of lets you do that. But. It's just a day, but I do love the fact that like, we're all on the same page with feeling this energy of a new year.
So new year. New version of you and I am going to empower you today to say no and offer you my experience on how awesome it was to say no to myself and some projects and say yes to other projects. So let's get started with the episode.
For Full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
Is age really just a number?
But not me! Instead I developed a mindset to appreciate my age and be grateful for every day I have here.
In this podcast, I talk about some major life changes for me – turning 40, changing careers, and going through a divorce. Most people think these things are scary. And while I do have my fears, for the most part I am so excited and happy for these changes.
I didn’t always think this way though. In fact, I used to think the opposite. I share with you my words of wisdom from 40 years on the planet, why aging isn’t that scary, and what I wish my younger self had known back then. Better late than never!
If you’re going through life changes, about to embark on something scary, or just going through the ups and downs of life, this podcast is for you.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This is a science podcast, so why am I talking about work-life balance? Because so many scientists are bad at it!
I can’t even tell you how many scientists brag about working 60 or even 80 hours a week. It seems like everyone is doing it. But there’s a great cost…
This begs the question – is it possible to be successful as a scientist and work 40 hours a week? Or even less? Actually have a life outside of science?
The answer is YES.
In this podcast, I talk about how you can achieve work-life balance while still being a successful scientist.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Everyone should have a mentor when trying to achieve something difficult in life. In science, mentors are unavoidable.
They play an essential role. You need research experience to become a scientist, and mentorship is a central part of that research experience. In fact, in graduate school, your training and research is really built off of your advisor (AKA your mentor) and not courses or classes.
Therefore, choosing a good mentor is crucial for your success as a scientist. And to be honest, being a scientist myself and having worked with many other scientists, finding a good one can be hard – it’s not the default. It’s also hard to tell if someone is going to be a good mentor before you start working with them.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I offer you six key factors that I’ve found to make a great mentor. I reminisced on all of my past mentors – good and bad – and pulled out the characteristics that they had that helped me grow as a scientist the most. I also talk about what you can do to be a good mentor if you have students or oversee employees.
Even if you aren’t in science, you can still benefit from this episode. Finding a good mentor has been critical to my own health and career as an entrepreneur.
Specifically, I’ll talk about:
- Why having a good mentor is crucial to your success and you can’t do it alone (or at least as fast)
- The six things that are most important in a mentor – even if they are hard to take or you may not like them at first
- My experiences dealing with mentors who were very honest with me
- What you can do to be a good mentor yourself
- and MORE!
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Last week on the Fancy Scientist podcast, I went over what graduate school was like and what it’s all about. This week, I talk about how you can have a successful year.
Graduate school is not like undergrad. You can’t just study hard and do well – there’s so much more to it.
I give away my 4 most important tips for you to set yourself up for a successful academic year. Even if you are not in graduate school, or even in this career, almost all of these tips translate into any career.
These are the tips I wish I had starting out! Seriously, it would have made life so much easier for me – so don’t miss out.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
It’s the beginning of the school year so I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about where aspiring scientists go to train to be scientists: graduate school.
Whether you are getting your Master’s or Ph.D., the experience is vastly different than undergraduate or K-12 education. In fact, I don’t think I truly understood what science was until I went to graduate school.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I talk about what graduate school is really like. Even if you aren’t a scientist or aspiring scientist, I talk about how people train to be scientists, which is incredibly important to understand given there is, unfortunately, public distrust in scientists and the scientific process.
If you’ve ever wanted to go to graduate school or are just getting started, this episode is perfect for you to listen to.
For full show notes.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
The inspiration for all of my writing and videos stems from animals. So often people want to become a wildlife biologist because they want to help animals. They envision themselves conducting important research to grow populations or captive-rearing animals for reintroductions. But I’ve learned through all of my years of research, that to really help animals we need to take a look at ourselves.
And the truth is all animals will be affected by climate change – including us. So if we really care about animals, we have to think and do something about these larger issues and we can’t only talk about species-specific problems.
For my Earth month series, I’m kicking it off by talking about this big issue of climate change. Most Americans now recognize it is human caused and that we need to so something about it. Many are even experiencing climate anxiety and/or grief.
I recently read an article about how doing something about climate change can actually alleviate grief. I thought now would be the perfect time to empower you all with actions that you can do to help alleviate climate change.
In this week’s podcast, I offer you 21 different ways you can contribute to fighting climate change starting off with the most impactful things you can do based on research to the ones you still should do, but that have less of an effect.
The key is to always move towards progress – not perfection. It is way better to have lots of people taking action imperfectly than few people getting it all right.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
The inspiration for all of my writing and videos stems from animals. So often people want to become a wildlife biologist because they want to help animals. They envision themselves conducting important research to grow populations or captive-rearing animals for reintroductions. But I’ve learned through all of my years of research, that to really help animals we need to take a look at ourselves.
And the truth is all animals will be affected by climate change – including us. So if we really care about animals, we have to think and do something about these larger issues and we can’t only talk about species-specific problems.
For my Earth month series, I’m kicking it off by talking about this big issue of climate change. Most Americans now recognize it is human caused and that we need to so something about it. Many are even experiencing climate anxiety and/or grief.
I recently read an article about how doing something about climate change can actually alleviate grief. I thought now would be the perfect time to empower you all with actions that you can do to help alleviate climate change.
In this week’s podcast, I offer you 21 different ways you can contribute to fighting climate change starting off with the most impactful things you can do based on research to the ones you still should do, but that have less of an effect.
The key is to always move towards progress – not perfection. It is way better to have lots of people taking action imperfectly than few people getting it all right.
What actions have you been taking? Leave your answer in the comments below.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This week’s podcast episode covers the second most popular answer to the question, “What is the problem you are struggling with most in regard to this career?”
And the truth is all animals will be affected by climate change – including us. So if we really care about animals, we have to think and do something about these larger issues and we can’t only talk about species-specific problems.
For my Earth month series, I’m kicking it off by talking about this big issue of climate change. Most Americans now recognize it is human caused and that we need to so something about it. Many are even experiencing climate anxiety and/or grief.
I recently read an article about how doing something about climate change can actually alleviate grief. I thought now would be the perfect time to empower you all with actions that you can do to help alleviate climate change.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
In this week’s podcast, I offer you 21 different ways you can contribute to fighting climate change starting off with the most impactful things you can do based on research to the ones you still should do, but that have less of an effect.
The key is to always move towards progress – not perfection. It is way better to have lots of people taking action imperfectly than few people getting it all right.
What actions have you been taking? Leave your answer in the comments below.
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This week’s podcast episode covers the second most popular answer to the question, “What is the problem you are struggling with most in regard to this career?”
To recap, a couple of months ago, I put this post on social media asking for people in wildlife biology, ecology, or zoology careers to help me out with some research:
I got so many people who were interested in helping me out (thank you!).
Episode #68 covers the most common answer, and in this episode I talk dive deep into the second biggest problem: A lack of insight on careers.
This is something I am SUPER passionate about because this also happened to me (for more on this check out this blog post).
Over and over again, I heard college graduates say that their professors did not prepare them for or talked about actually careers in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, and conservation biology.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
- All of the different variations of this answer and what they mean/imply
- Summaries of statements from the research on how graduates felt about their college experience
- What to do if you are feeling this way
- Tips on how to deal with too many options
- A tangible answer to the question, “what can I do to make myself attractive/competitive to employers?”
- and MORE
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
A couple of months ago, I put this post on social media asking for people in wildlife biology, ecology, or zoology careers to help me out with some research:
and I was shocked by the response! I got so many people who were interested in helping me out. Thank you to all of you that participated!
I did this research for my own internal knowledge – so I could learn how I could better help you. In this podcast, I cover the most frequently stated answer to the main question in my survey: “What is the problem you are struggling with most in regard to this career? “
I interviewed 88 people of all different career levels, although most were graduates with a bachelor’s degree or in college, but the greatest response was “getting a job.” Specifically a permanent job.
This answer ended up being a little complex, so I took a whole podcast episode to delve into the different nuances of it to understand why it has been such a struggle for people to get a job even after having a degree.
At the end of the episode, I go over some tips for you can self-evaluate if you are having the same problem. Whether you are brand new to the field or out there looking for a job, you will learn a lot from this episode.
Specifically I go over:
- Innate biases in the data (so you don’t freak out too much)
- The different reasons people think are causing them to struggle in the job market
- Factors affecting the job market
- Specific experiences and feelings from people I interviewed (so you don’t feel alone)
- What you can do to stand out in a “sea of applications”
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
It’s summer time here in the US, which means lots of people head to the beach for vacation. With parties, holidays, and leisure happening at the beach, it can be easy to forget – or some people may never even know in the first place – that beaches are habitat for lots of wildlife.
I’ve seen so many fun animals at the beach in my adventures across the world like tropical fish, eels, dolphins, seals, coral, sea urchins, sea stars, and probably more that I can’t remember.
But our visits to the beach are not just visits; us humans have lingering effects on this environment from the sand to the sea. You may be doing some things that are harmful to wildlife without even knowing it.
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I share with you my top tips for reducing your impact on beach ecosystems while still making sure you have fun. All of these tips are easy to do!
Specifically we’ll go over:
- Beaches as ecosystems – some of the species I’ve seen and that you may expect to find
- Best practices at the beach – what you should be doing before and after your visits
- How you can reduce the impact of others at the beach
- Animals that can be impacted by us at the beach
- Businesses and products to support
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
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Several years ago, I went on a trip to Hilton head, South Carolina, and I woke up in the morning really early and went to the beach. This is something I always do when I am by the ocean, because you get to find some really cool stuff in the morning. And this time I found the best thing ever, or the two best things ever!
I saw two baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean. Members of their nest likely hatched the night before, and these two were stragglers. I got to see them make their journey to the ocean.
One of the coolest parts was that is that the sea turtles were right in the middle of this tourist spot. And that they were basically co-existing with humans on this busy beach for a short period of time. Ever since then, I’ve been wanting to talk to somebody about sea turtles conservation and science.
I invited sea turtle biologist Dr. Christine Figgener on the podcast who is not only a sea turtle expert, but famous for sparking the movement to reduce plastic straw use. She is the one who took the video of the sea turtle who had a plastic straw up its nose. In this podcast, we talk about everything sea turtles, plastic, and conservation.
Specifically we talk about:
- How Christine got interested in sea turtles and science
- The steps Christine took to become a scientist
- What Christine does on a daily basis
- What sea turtle research is like
- The biggest threats to sea turtles
- Easy tips that you can do to help out sea turtles (all from home)
- How the straw video went viral
- How sea turtle releases can be harmful, why hotels do them, and why you shouldn’t support them
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
You get a degree and then a job, right? That’s how it is supposed to work. But in wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation careers, it’s not so straightforward.
In the wildlife science realm, you need experience, but the crazy thing is, that in our field, a lot of experiences are unpaid. Even though they are full jobs, quite often they don’t pay.
To be honest, it is extremely hard to get into this field without any volunteering. There are very few programs that will give someone with no experience a paid work opportunity.
On top of that, once you graduate, most jobs are temporary, low-paying, and seasonal. Even if you do find a job, you might be trying to piece together these positions, and often across different areas of the country (moving is expensive).
Unfortunately, finances are something you need to think about before you enter this career.
Therefore, I thought it was a great idea to invite my friend Dr. Emily Roberts of Personal Finance for Ph.D.s for a dual interview for both of our podcasts. Emily’s mission is to inspire and empower early-career Ph.D.s to make the most of their money. She engages with graduate students and postdocs through her Personal Finance for PhDs seminars, coaching, and websites.
In this episode, we talk about all of the financial realities of going into a career in wildlife science.
Specifically we discuss:
- What are pay-to-play jobs and experiences
- Why you will probably need to volunteer before you get a paying job
- What should you expect financially in a career in wildlife biology
- How you can better prepare yourself financially
- Alternatives to careers in wildlife biology that can still satisfy your need to help wildlife/conservation
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
When I scroll through my Pinterest home feed, zero waste is a common word that comes up among eco-friendly bloggers. I always wanted to try it, but producing no waste seemed so hard! I was really intimidated by the challenge and felt like I needed help.
So when Alexa Smith, author of An Economic Eclipse, reached out to me to talk all about zero waste, I was definitely on board.
In this episode, I interview Alexa Smith all about what it means to be zero waste – and it’s not as intense as you think it is. She breaks it down for you in easy to understand terms and like me, she believes progress is better than perfection.
Alexa is only 20 years old and already wrote a book on the subject! If you ever feel depressed about environmental and climate issues, turn to people like Alexa. Young people like her inspire me to keep going and show me that so many of us really do care.
Specifically, we talk about:
- What is zero waste
- Why Alexa decided to go zero waste
- How you can get started going zero waste:
- The biggest thing you can do
- The easiest thing to do
- What is a circular economy
- How Alexa was inspired to and wrote a book (and in only 9 months too!)
- What corporations are doing to tackle the waste problem
- and MORE!
Alexa inspired me to try zero waste at the more extreme level. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes about my journey.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Through my 17 years in research, one of the biggest lessons I learned is that science alone cannot solve the biodiversity crisis. We need people to care and to change their behaviors.
People tend to view corporations as the enemy of conservation – and with good reason, they pollute, cause deforestation, and destroy habitats. But the truth is, we need to work with them if we want to solve this problem due to their large impact.
Therefore, when Lavaniya Das reached out to me to discuss how corporations view climate change and what they are doing about it, I was eager to speak to her.
Lavaniya is a marketing professional with ten years of experience across Entertainment, eSports, SaaS, Telecommunications, B2B and B2C marketing, and now Renewable Energy and Venture Capital. She has in-depth knowledge and a solid understanding of the digital side of content creation and how it can be used in marketing from direct marketing to social media to building sales pipeline.
We talk about much more than just corporations and climate change – from the future of plastics to marketing conservation and urban London foxes. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation where the world of science merges with marketing and corporations.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
When I was in graduate school, everyone was talking about how if you didn’t want to go into research, you could get a job in science communication – like it was something you could just easily do.
But when I was officially on the job market, I didn’t see a ton of science communication jobs posted. And when I did, I found out that employers wanted communications professionals interested in science rather than science professionals with a social media presence.
Also a lot of people don’t realize that most science communicators are freelance, so they don’t have permanent jobs.
In this episode, I talk all about my experience attempting to get a job in science communication and how I eventually decided to do it on my own.
You’ll learn about the ways that you can start your own business in science communication and the major ways you can make money doing it.
Follow my journey into this crazy career I am creating.
For full show notes click here
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
I was recently featured on an Instagram live hosted by @shine.science and I was asked the question, “How do you handle negative comments on social media?” I had such a long answer that I thought it would make an excellent podcast episode!
I’ve been putting myself out there (and by there I mean the Internet) since about 2010 when I started a professional Twitter account and blog. Eleven years later (where has the time gone??) I am still here and in the last few years I’ve put myself even out there more with the creation of a YouTube channel and this podcast.
No matter how amazing you are, you will receive some negative comments if you do science communication. In this episode, I talk specifically about how I handle my negative comments and what you should expect if you put yourself out there just as much as me.
Specifically I talk about and cover:
- What is science communication and why in the world would a scientist choose to do it?
- Why I choose to do science communication and why it’s important
- What scientists are scared of if they were to put themselves out there
- A summary of my experience with negative comments and my categorization of comments: Trolling,
- negative, but informative, and disagreements
- All of the tools, techniques, and thoughts I use to deal with these comments such as:
- Reprogramming my brain using neuroscience
- Putting things in perspective and changing the meaning of comments
- How to immediately disarm nasty comments
- Why getting haters is a good thing
- Evaluating myself: Am I doing anything to attract negative comments?
- Use my comments as sources of material for content creation
- Creating a happy folder
- Visualizations that help me
- AND MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
What you eat has a huge impact on wildlife and that’s true for the ocean too. Commercial fishing can have large-scale negative impacts on dolphins, turtles, and whole ecosystems. Overfishing can endanger the species that is fished affecting ecosystems and our food availability.
Some people advocate for stopping to eat seafood all together, but this may not be the best option for us and sea life. A better option is sustainable seafood – but what is this? And how do you know what to buy?
I invited Jackie Marks of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to the podcast to talk about everything sustainable seafood. I’ve been looking for the MSC logo every time I buy fish for the past few years now. In this podcast we talk about what that certification represents.
Specifically we talk about:
- What is sustainable seafood? How does it differ from regular seafood? Is there such a thing as sustainable fishing or it is a myth?
- What is the Marine Stewardship Council? How do companies earn the certification on their products? What does it mean to be certified?
- Do we still need to buy dolphin safe tuna? How is MSC different than dolphin safe?
- Should people go completely vegan/vegetarian? What would be the consequences of that?
- Are there specific species we should avoid? General recommendations when ordering seafood?
- What did Seaspiracy get wrong? And what did they get right? How did they misrepresent the MSC?
- and MORE!
Remember, when it comes to change, he key is to always move towards progress – not perfection. It is way better to have lots of people taking action imperfectly than few people getting it all right.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Do you have a backyard? Front yard? Balcony? Access to a rooftop? Then you can help wildlife!
I invited naturalist David Mizejewski on the podcast to talk about how you can make your yard, balcony, or whatever you have access to more wildlife friendly. David is an author, TV host, and naturalist who works for the National Wildlife Federation spreading messages about conservation in your own backyard. He’s worked for the National Wildlife Federation for 21 years, where they’ve been promoting backyard habitat since he 1970s.
I’ve talked about backyard habitat before on the podcast, but David goes into much more detail. I am not a plant person and David talks about the importance of building the foundation using native plants. You’ll learn how to restore habitat in your yard one native plant at a time.
Are you overwhelmed like me? David has you covered with plenty of resources to make landscaping with native plants easy.
Specifically we talk about:
- What can people do to make their yards friendlier towards all kinds of wildlife?
- What can you do if you have a small backyard? Or no yard? Can you still help out native wildlife?
- How backyard habitats help out wildlife and what kinds of wildlife
- Where can you get native plants from? What kinds of native plants should you plant?
- Where can you go for help if you don’t know what species to plant?
- Should we stop feeding the birds? What is the best way to support birds in your backyard?
- What should people stop doing to make their yards friendlier to wildlife?
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
George Gehrig subscribes to the Fancy Scientist and responded to an email of mine asking about the impact of iNaturalist data on science. I thought that sounded like a great topic to discuss, and when I found out that George was the organizer of the City Nature Challenge for Bonner County, I thought – even better!
iNaturalist is an app that anyone with a smartphone can use to take photos of different things in nature, upload them to the platform for identifications, and to connect with members in their community or across the world.
The City Nature Challenge is an annual event where cities “compete” to find the most species and activate the largest groups of people to get outside and document nature using iNaturalist.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of the City Nature Challenge to science and society, the many reasons why George is organizing one, and how you can get involved.
Specifically we chat about:
- What is the City Nature Challenge? How was it started?
- Why do we have a City Nature Challenge?
- What is a bioblitz?
- How useful are iNaturalist data to scientists?
- Why and how the City Nature Challenge has meaning beyond spotting species
- How to get people involved and to participate
- What impacts the City Nature Challenge can have on people
- How is a winner determined
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
I became a wildlife biologist because I wanted to save species from extinction. But I’ve learned over my nearly two decades in this field, that we really can’t save species without focusing on ourselves first
When people think of wildlife conservation, they often conjure up images of scientists in the field with animals, studying where they move, what they eat, or how many there are. This definitely helps in conservation planning, but it doesn’t relieve the threats placed on animals.
To really get to the core of conservation, we have to turn to humans. But how do we do this?
In this episode, I talk about, in my opinion, the most important aspect of getting people to care about nature – allowing them to have experiences with nature. I believe that the “Extinction of Experience” is the greatest threat to biodiversity conservation.
This episode is all about explaining the concept of the Extinction of Experience, why it’s been increasing with each generation, and what we can do about it. I go into specifics about how I believe that community science (citizen science) is a means to reverse the extinction process.
Specifically I talk about:
- How I went from a scientist who only wanted to study animals to one who is super interested in people
- What is the Extinction of Experience?
- What does going outside have to do with conservation?
- The important components of having an “experience” in nature
- How community science is uniquely suited to reverse the Extinction of Experience
- Results of a study I conducted on the outcomes of community scientist volunteers
- What we can do to encourage people to get involved in community science
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Last week I talked about how you can make your front and backyard wildlife-friendly, and this week, I’m talking specifically about mammals! Lots of people want to welcome mammals into their yards, but don’t do it in the best way. In fact, by doing some things wrong, you could actually end up hurting and even indirectly killing mammals.
As a wildlife biologist who has studied mammals for nearly two decades, in this episode I talk about what you can do to welcome mammals into your yard in a way that aligns with the animals’ natural ecology.
I also talk about what kind of mammals you might expect to see in your yard if you live in the Eastern United States and a study I was a part of where we assessed the species richness and biodiversity of mammals across wild, rural, exurban, and suburban backyards in Raleigh, NC and Washington DC.
At the end of the podcast, I share some results from my study on animals from a different kind of yard: schoolyards. I worked with teachers and their students in four different countries around the world to photograph mammals that visited schoolyards in Kenya, India, Mexico, and North Carolina. We were shocked by what we found!
Specifically I go over:
- The best ways that you can help wild mammals and welcome them into your yard naturally
- Things that people should stop doing that actually harm mammals in the long run
- What kind of mammals you will see if you live in the eastern US and some fun facts about them
- Results from our study on mammal richness and diversity across an urban to wild gradient
- Results from our study on kid camera trappers and what species they found in their schoolyards
Do you welcome mammals into your back yard? Post your photos on Instagram or Twitter and tag me in it. I’d love to share what you find.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
When most people think of conservation, they tend to think of faraway animals like tigers, elephants, and jaguars, or faraway places like the Amazon rainforest, Serengeti plains, or Yellowstone National Park. But conservation can start in your own backyard!
Historically, we tend to think of protecting animals in parks and other protected areas, putting animals in a separate space than humans. But the truth is that animals are all around us and they need us.
While protected areas are critical to maintaining healthy populations of wildlife species, they alone cannot support biodiversity. This is especially true for larger animals, like the tigers, elephants, and jaguars mentioned above. Most protected areas are not big enough for large populations and animals often go outside of park boundaries.
Animals use green spaces in between protected areas to make up their home range. Or they may completely live on these green spaces. These spaces include places like undeveloped land, office parks, schoolyards, and your own backyard.
Backyards are especially important for species that migrate, as they need safe places to rest and forage for food.
In this podcast, you’ll learn how to make your backyard more wildlife friendly. Even if your yard is small, there is still a lot you can do to help out animals. Listen to this podcast for all of the tips and let me know what you do to help wildlife.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Sunday at 7 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
The inspiration for all of my writing and videos stems from animals. So often people want to become a wildlife biologist because they want to help animals. They envision themselves conducting important research to grow populations or captive-rearing animals for reintroductions. But I’ve learned through all of my years of research, that to really help animals we need to take a look at ourselves.
And the truth is all animals will be affected by climate change – including us. So if we really care about animals, we have to think and do something about these larger issues and we can’t only talk about species-specific problems.
For my Earth month series, I’m kicking it off by talking about this big issue of climate change. Most Americans now recognize it is human caused and that we need to so something about it. Many are even experiencing climate anxiety and/or grief.
I recently read an article about how doing something about climate change can actually alleviate grief. I thought now would be the perfect time to empower you all with actions that you can do to help alleviate climate change.
In this week’s podcast, I offer you 21 different ways you can contribute to fighting climate change starting off with the most impactful things you can do based on research to the ones you still should do, but that have less of an effect.
The key is to always move towards progress – not perfection. It is way better to have lots of people taking action imperfectly than few people getting it all right.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Show notes: https://stephanieschuttler.com/climate-change-empowerment-changes-you-can-make-for-maximum-impact/
This week I talked to Dr. Mark “Merriweather” Vorderbruggen about foraging for your own food. I’ve blogged and podcasted before about having a more sustainable diet, but foraging is not something that came across my mind until Mark reached out to me. I’ll have to add it to my posts!
In brief, foraging is the practice of people going out and collecting their own food from the wild. Usually it is limited to plants and fungi (as with animals it is called hunting).
I went into this podcast pretty much knowing nothing about foraging – and I had so much fun talking with Mark about what it is, how to get started, and why so many people are doing it. I was shocked at how available many wild edible foods are!
Specifically we talk about:
- What is foraging and the many ways it can benefit humans
- Why are so many people turning to foraging?
- Where can you forage? Do you have to go far?
- The many benefits of foraging for people
- How to do foraging right so you don’t get sick
- How to know what to forage and how much to take
- The difference between foraging and poaching
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” to see how I can help you in your career: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
In today’s podcast, I talk to academic Coach Dr. Katy Peplin of Thrive Ph.D. Katy founded Thrive PhD in 2017, where she started out coaching acquaintances to now having a thriving business with clients all over the world and in all disciplines, who have achieved all kinds of success.
Katy helps academics going through grad school because “she gets it.” She is an advocate for students and prides herself on being a real human too.
I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Katy. Specifically we talk about:
In this chat, we talk about what she does as a coach, what kinds of services she offers for students, and how you can benefit. We also talk about turning from academics into entrepreneurs and her research on cute animal videos – for real!
- Katy’s path to becoming an academic coach after her Ph.D.
- What is a career coach and how graduate students can benefit from having one
- Why your advisor and committee members may not offer all of the support you need while in graduate school
- Why is graduate school so hard? How it differs tremendously from undergrad
- What are the things that students struggle with in graduate school
- The types of services Katy provides: her one-on-one coaching and membership group
- Imposer syndrome: advice and how rampant it is in academia
- Starting and running a business after being an academic
- Cute animal videos (for real!) – Katy did her Ph.D. on this. We chat briefly about how animals in videos, documentaries, and social media affect the way people think about them
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
In this podcast, I interview PJ Beaven, a zookeeper for over 15 years. PJ created a program called ZooFit where she incorporates health and fitness with conservation.
First PJ and I talk about what it was like for her to be a zookeeper. PJ worked with elephants and talks about how she took care of them and trained them for medical purposes. But because she gave so much of herself to the animals, she became burnt out and started to develop “compassion fatigue.”
As a result, she created ZooFit. ZooFit takes the most meaningful aspects of being a zookeeper and applies them to fitness. In other words, the techniques she uses to train animals, operant conditioning through positive reinforcement, can work for you too to make working out and eating right engaging and more enjoyable.
ZooFit is more than a workout program – it’s all about self-care AND conservation. What we eat and how we move (by car or by bike) affects not only our waistline, but also the planet. It’s also all about what works. Why don’t we train ourselves like the way we train animals?
PJ is so engaging and such a positive spirit; you won’t want to miss this interview!
Specifically we chat about:
- Life as a zookeeper: day-to-day duties, its challenges and rewards
- What it’s like to work with zoo elephants
- What is compassion fatigue and why so many people suffer from it
- How animals learn and how it works for humans too
- Why we can’t keep giving and giving – and how this is actually worse for animals and conservation
- Should we keep elephants in zoos?
- How can you reward yourself for small successes in life
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
I invited my friend and colleague Rebecca Mowry for a conversation about her job as a big game wildlife biologist on my podcast. Rebecca is the Bitterroot area Wildlife Biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. I’ve been seeing her photos of mountain goats, moose, bighorn sheep and more pop up in my Facebook feed for years now and thought it would be great to have her on the podcast to talk about her journey into wildlife biology.
I met Rebecca in graduate school where we both worked in the same lab studying very different species (river otters and forest elephants) using non-invasive techniques. Since then, she graduated with a Master’s degree, but Rebecca still didn’t have a straight and narrow path to a permanent job in wildlife biology.
We also go over in detail Rebecca’s path to her permanent job. She has A LOT of experience – for real over a dozen tech positions. She talked about how she struggled to find a job numerous times and almost transitioned careers, even after her Master’s degree. Aspiring wildlife biologists will find this conversation very helpful with lots of advice.
Specifically we chat about:
- What does a big game wildlife biologist do from day to day? How does Rebecca’s work vary over the year?
- How often is Rebecca in the field and what type of field work does she do?
- How do you count ungulates like bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and mountain goats?
- What kind of challenges did Rebecca face on the job market
- Why Rebecca decided to get a Master’s degree
- What it was like to find a permanent job post Master’s degree
- Rebecca’s advice to someone who wants a job like hers
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
My colleague and friend, Dr. Mike Cove reached out to me to have a discussion about something he had been thinking about for some time: how mammals of the past impact mammals today. He was especially interested on the impacts of mastodons on today’s smaller mammals like rodents and small carnivores. Because I researched African forest elephants for my Ph.D., he wanted to get my thoughts on this topic and thought it would be a cool idea for the podcast!
Over tens of thousands of years ago, our world looked very different. Here in the United States, our land was dominated by mega fauna like mastodons, giant sloths and armadillos, and saber-toothed tigers. In this podcast we talked about how the mere presence of such huge animals affected our landscape today.
Mike is the curator of Mammalogy at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Specifically we chat about:
- What’s going on with some of these smaller mammal species? Why are they in decline?
- How smaller, disturbed habitats are made and how many are overlooked compared to “pristine” forests
- How large herbivores like elephants, bison, and elk change the landscape and what their loss means for smaller animals
- The role of elephants, especially forest elephants in changing the forest: how they create light gaps and help forest vegetation grow
- Should we actually bring large herbivores like elephants back to the United States to restore ecosystem processes? Yes, this is a real proposal by scientists called “Pleistocene rewilding”
- How restoring apex predators in the Eastern US would help our forests
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This episode is a must listen-to for anyone who wants to go into wildlife or conservation careers. I interview Dr. Nick Askew, founder of Conservation Careers, an organization dedicated to helping students find the right career for them in conservation.
We chat about Nick’s background; how he pivoted from a Ph.D. research project in barn owls to working for a consulting agency, nonprofit, and then starting his own business. Nick realized that there wasn’t much information out there for those interested in such careers and he wanted to help them.
Think conservation careers just involve watching wildlife? They are so much more than that! We talk about some of the many different types of careers and how students really need to think beyond research (we both did).
Specifically we chat about:
- What is a conservation career?
- Can you easily pivot from research to non-research jobs? Or are other skills needed?
- Where should students start when thinking about conservation careers?
- How have careers changed over the years?
- How the number of jobs are increasing, but so is competition
- Where are the opportunities in conservation careers?
- Which jobs are the least competitive? Most lucrative?
- What does it mean when you are applying for hundreds of jobs with no response
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
Communication is huge in conservation and wildlife biology careers. People tend to only think of the species, ecosystems, or research that scientists work on, but this research is always communicated in some way – to other scientists, the public, and/or various stakeholders.
In this interview, I sit down with Director of Facilitation and Planning at Impact by Design, Inc., Ben Christ. Ben was an undergraduate researcher when I was getting my Ph.D. at the University of Missouri and he talks about his trajectory from science into working directly with people at Impact by Design.
Impact By Design is a nonprofit consulting agency that provides training and capacity building to other nonprofit organizations so that they can increase their effectiveness and maximize impact. They specialize in nonprofits working on conservation, animal welfare, and environmental advocacy. It’s Ben’s job to bring together different sectors within a nonprofit or across nonprofits and their stakeholders to get specific outcomes.
Ben provides some great perspective on the things you need to think about when brining people together. These messages are especially important to hear now because we have a diversity problem in wildlife biology and conservation. One of the ways that we can help is by learning how we can hear others more.
Specifically we talk about:
- How Ben’s plan to go to graduate school broke down, but it was a blessing in disguise
- How and why Ben made the transition to consulting from science
- The importance of communication in conservation and the many ways things can go wrong
- How to run effective meetings
- How to make people feel comfortable
- How to encourage underrepresented voices and make sure they are heard
- Thinking beyond scientific research in conservation and wildlife work
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a Facebook Live entitled, “Are You Too Old for a Career in Wildlife Biology? When I advertised for this event on my social media, I got quite a few comments.
One of them was from senior program manager at the National Parks Conservation Association, Jeffrey Hunter. He responded with “this was me,” meaning he started his career later in life. I knew I had to invite him to talk about his late start in the wildlife field on the podcast.
Many people fear they are too old to start a career in wildlife biology after they started another one, or perhaps just graduated from school and realized their degree was not right for them. By old, I don’t even mean old! People in their late 20s and early 30s are worried that they are too old!
Many people fear they are too old to start a career in wildlife biology after they started another one, or perhaps just graduated from school and realized their degree was not right for them. By old, I don’t even mean old! People in their late 20s and early 30s are worried that they are too old!
Jeffrey started his career in wildlife when he was 40, after spending 20 years working for Verizon in corporate America. This is a fantastic conversation for anyone who thinks it is too late for them! Jeffrey offers a lot of advice for those entering the field so even if you aren’t a late bloomer, this is still a great episode to listen to.
- How and why Jeffrey Hunter started his career in wildlife at 40 years old
- Did Jeffrey face discrimination as an older applicant?
- How his corporate skills helped get him his first job
- How he got offered the second job he was interviewed for
- Perspective and advice on working for government and nonprofit jobs
- How volunteering with citizen science projects for years helped him land a job
- Career advice for wildlife biologists and related careers
- and MORE!
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
This podcast features a fantastic interview with science filmmaker Rob Nelson. Rob is a friend of mine and we both appear together on the Science Channel’s What on Earth. He transitioned from research into filmmaking and has a YouTube channel with almost 150K subscribers and multiple videos with millions of views.
In this episode, I chat with Rob about why and how he decided to turn to science filmmaking. This is certainly a unique career path without obvious instructions. Even if there was an instruction manual, it would change from year-to-year or even day-to-day as there are constant changes in social media and how we receive information.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every other Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This podcast features an amazing interview with scientist and founder of Nova Conservation: Laura Marsh. Nova Conservation is a brand new organization dedicated to connecting scientists and non-professionals to conservation and research opportunities.
Laura and I chat about so much – how and why she founded Nova Conservation, how it will change ecotourism and provide opportunities for scientists to connect with research projects without having to get too involved, and the barriers to entry that exist in conservation field.
Specifically we chat about:
- What exactly is a Nova Conservation?
- How will Nova Conservation work?
- How wildlife professionals and non-scientists can get involved in conservation research
- How some tourism operations can deceive you into thinking they are focused on conservation when they are not
- Laura’s background as a scientist and ornithologist
- Free/volunteer internships and research experiences – how it needs to change, but it’s a necessary evil right now for students to get jobs.
For full show notes click here.
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I interview scientist and blogger Charlotte Hacker. Charlotte is a Ph.D. candidate who uses non-invasive genetics through scat (poop) to study snow leopard populations in China. We talk all about her snow leopard research and journey to become a scientist.
This is a fantastic episode to listen to if you are an aspiring wildlife biologist or scientist! Charlotte talks about all of the pivots she had to make on her way to become a scientist. Learn how she bounced back from failing in her college courses and what she did when her Master’s research was cancelled THE moment she started graduate school.
This is a fantastic episode to listen to if you are an aspiring wildlife biologist or scientist! Charlotte talks about all of the pivots she had to make on her way to become a scientist. Learn how she bounced back from failing in her college courses and what she did when her Master’s research was cancelled THE moment she started graduate school.
- Charlotte’s snow leopard research: What she is studying and how she uses scat to study snow leopards
- What snow leopards are eating and human-wildlife conflict
- Charlotte’s journey to become a scientist – what inspired her and how she bounced back from almost failing out of college
- The lack of role models for female scientists when we were growing up)
- How Charlotte was determined to study elephants, but ended up with research on snow leopards
- How Charlotte approached studying elephants for graduate school and her experience contacting professors
- What happened when Charlotte’s Master’s research immediately was taken away from her when she just arrived to start!
- Why Charlotte started blogging and that most of us scientists are more artsy than people think
- What Charlotte does as a side hustle
- Words of wisdom from Charlotte for aspiring wildlife biologists
Get the full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/charlotte-hacker/
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
This podcast features an amazing interview with conservationist and founder of Lonely Conservationists: Jessie Panazzolo. Jessie is a conserves conservationists; in other words, she works to save those who are saving the world.
In episode #41, I talked about how important self-care is for scientists and how easily we can become burnt out and quite honestly, depressed. Jessie felt this herself, which was why she started Lonely Conservationists. Turns out there are a lot of lonely conservationists out there and her group has gained a lot of momentum over the years.
This is a wide-ranging discussion not only about the challenges scientists and conservationists face, but also some field stories, how Jessie wrote a book in a month, and about the complications with boycotting palm oil.
Specifically I go over:
- What exactly is a Lonely Conservationist?
- Why are conservationists susceptible to problems like loneliness and depression?
- What other challenges conservationists face in this field
- The Lonely Conservationist blog and that you can submit stories
- How Jessie wrote a book from her experience and why
- Fun field story – getting chased by a tiger!
- Should we be boycotting palm oil? Or advocating for sustainable palm oil, which is far from perfect
Get a free chapter of my book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Want to learn about cool animals, conservation, and get tips about careers in wildlife biology, science, and more? Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler and join my email list: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
For full show notes click here.
In this podcast, I really wanted to talk about self-care for scientists because we are so bad at it! I wanted to talk about because we are still experiencing the pandemic, which limits what we can do and certainly takes an emotional toll.
So what is self care? Some people don’t even know how to do self-care. You may have heard that it’s getting a massage or taking a bubble bath, but it’s so much more than that! I didn’t know how to do really do self-care until I was older and it’s also important to do self-care guilt free!
Self-care is all about taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally so that you can be a better scientist and person. We can’t just keep giving and giving without taking time and doing things for ourselves.
Specifically I go over:
- What is self care?
- Why is self care important
- Examples of self-care and the tips I think are most important:
- Exercise and taking care of your body. Combine this with music to double your impact.
- Eat healthy, nutritious food
- Get out in nature
- Do something joyful
- Meditate
- Plan your day (so important while most of us are working from home)
- Celebrate! And how you can celebrate by yourself without spending any money
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Get a free chapter of “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now: https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
For full show notes click here
Today’s episode was inspired by some people that started trolling me on Twitter and provides valuable lessons for conservation (and dealing with trolls).
Palm oil, an ingredient in tons of food, cosmetic, and personal care products, is bad for biodiversity. There’s no doubt about that. I wrote a post explaining how it is bad and created a YouTube video on it. But the shocking thing about that post and video is that I state that I am no longer boycotting palm oil.
In the article I explain that boycotting palm oil or putting a ban on it would not solve this biodiversity crisis – and will very likely make it worse too. Instead, I argue for sustainable palm oil.
The people favoring palm oil boycotts argue that there is no such thing as sustainable palm oil. I 100% agree that there are major problems with it. But getting rid of palm oil, again will not solve the biodiversity problem, and again, likely make it worse. We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, but instead push for truly sustainable palm oil.
In this episode, I talk more thoroughly about why palm oil boycotts won’t work and that we can’t live in a conservation la-la land. I would love to stop deforestation in Southeast Asia, where a lot of the palm oil comes from, but that is not a realistic solution at all.
Working with and supporting local communities is ESSENTIAL for effective conservation work. In many cases, conservationists have to push for less than ideal scenarios because if they suggest what they really want, the results will backfire. I talk about why local community is so important and give examples of where conservation has failed only because of the local community not supporting such projects.
Specifically I go over:
- What is palm oil and how it affects wildlife and the environment
- What happens if we boycott palm oil
- Why boycotting palm oil will backfire
- Why it’s critical we include the local community including economic support for conservation to be successful
- Specific examples of conservation projects failed because of lack of support from the local community
- How I handle trolls
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/StephanieSchuttler
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question. Join me! https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
t’s getting close to the end of the year. In normal years, this is a time when everyone says their accomplishments. In which case, if you didn’t feel like you did that much or didn’t meet your goals, you can feel like a failure. This is how I felt a couple of years ago when I didn’t publish any first author papers.
Maybe it’s different this year because of COVID. It may even be worse because of COVID. But if you’re feeling down, I got the podcast for you.
In this week’s episode, I talk about how to bounce back from feeling bad about not accomplishing as much as you planned to in past year.
Specifically I go over:
- What is an academic depression or end-of-the year-blues
- Things to do to overcome one including:
- Writing a “Ta Da” list
- Recognizing that you are much more than your career
- The types of people you need to surround yourself with
- Adjusting your goals so they are more realistic and being easier on yourself
- How to reframe your thinking
- The importance of music and changing your physiology
- And MORE!
- Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question.
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
For full show notes click here
In this episode, I talk all about imposter syndrome. Part of the reason why I am talking about imposter syndrome is because we’re starting off in a new year!
I also just started my second cohort of students in my Confusion to Clarity course and it’s really clear they are struggling. It just makes me so sad how rampant imposter syndrome is in our community, our science community, our conservation community.
But finally – I think it affects conservation – hear me out!
I’ve been there – I know what it feels like, AND I’ve overcome it. I can help you I promise.
What is imposter syndrome?
It is the feeling that you don’t belong and that the accomplishments that you’ve had in life were somehow by accident or by mistake. You doubt yourself and your experiences.
We are essentially filtering out people that suffer from it more, as they will likely to drop out of this field. Impostor syndrome particularly affects women and our field already struggles with diversity.
In addition to it being worse for us and our psyche, I also think it affects our ability to do conservation work and advocacy.
How can we get the rest of the world excited about conservation if we are down on ourselves?
I’ve been there – I know what it feels like, AND I’ve overcome it. I can help you I promise.
Specifically I go over:
- How impostor syndrome is debilitating you and your conservation efforts
- My experiences with imposter syndrome
- Why changing your thoughts is so important and really the first step
- To not be afraid of therapy
- Embrace and reclaim Stupidity!
- Find evidence that you belong and are deserving
- How visualizing your future self can help
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question.
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
For full show notes: https://stephanieschuttler.com/38-impostor-syndrome-confidence-and-conservation/
Why do I care about connecting people to nature? Well, it is incredibly important for me to get people outdoors, connecting to nature because that is so important in raising future conservationists to get adults to change their behaviors, change their attitudes, to be more pro conservation and pro wildlife. And if you ask anyone who is a wildlife biologist, they will say they become a wildlife biologist because they spend time outdoors in nature.
What’s going on currently is something called the extinction of experience. These experiences in nature and when we have these lots of experiences, we are raising generations of people too. It’s hard to get people to care about them and there’s endangered species that are fresh water mussels. So we need to restore these experiences with nature.
Each generation is raised with this new norm, this shifting baseline of the extinction of experience. Pandemic right now is a great time connecting people to nature. It’s a really good idea to stay home as much as you can. And with that, with people being more restricted in what they can do for entertainment.
I am launching a membership program and it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be aligned with real wildlife biology activities that “us” wildlife biologists do. There’s going to be a challenge each month and you’re going to learn about wildlife by going outside doing the different activities. If you really are restricted outside, I am going to try to provide online activities that will simulate these activities for you. It’s going to be a monthly membership that costs $20. It’s a really great idea for kids and it’s going to be made by real scientists.
Specifically I go over:
- Why getting outside is important for conservation
- The best way to raise future conservationists
- What the extinction of experience is
- Why right now is the best time to go outside (the pandemic!)
- Nature has healing and health benefits
- Gifts to connect people to nature:
- Camera trap
- Field guides
- Binoculars
- Bird feeders
- Gardening supplies and books
- Bat house
- Nets, waders, and boots for exploring ponds
- Magnifying glasses and insect jars
- UV lights, headlamps, and spotlights
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I go live in my Facebook group every Wednesday at 12 PM EST to answer a wildlife biology question.
Join the “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology” Facebook group to connect with other aspiring wildlife biologists, post your questions and get free advice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
For full show notes visit
https://stephanieschuttler.com/gifts-to-connect-people-to-nature/
Hey everyone. I am so excited about today’s episode. I really truly mean that today I interviewed a special guest. Her name is Lisa Mills and she is the founder of elephant origins tea. I love this for so many reasons. One, I am obviously an elephant lover. If you don’t know, I studied African forest elephants for my PhD.
I’m all about tea now. So I love this because it’s about elephants. It’s about tea. It’s fantastic tea. The holidays are here. It makes a great gift, a great stocking, and you can feel good about buying from this company.
I think we need to support companies that do good, that still make profits, but that care about things like people and wildlife. So today I talked to Lisa and she is one of those companies. She founded one of those companies, elephant origins. So you’re going to hear all about the company, elephant friendly tea.
Specifically I go over:
- What elephant origin is?
- How Lisa Mills got involved in wildlife and how she found it as a company?
- How does the company started?
- What is elephant friendly tea? Where can you get it? What does it taste like?
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I interviewed Master's student Hannah Som on her journey to becoming a student and what she learned as a student in the first round of my Confusion to Clarity program. We talk about how she transformed and the value of getting super clear on what you want in your wildlife biology career.
For more info on Confusion to Clarity and my webinar on the 7 Tips to Find Your Wildlife Biology Career Path, click here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/confusion-to-clarity-course/
You can learn more about Hannah on her website: hannahesom.com and follower her on Twitter: @hannahesom
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
The holiday season is here! Here in the US, I’ve seen it shift massively towards consumerism over the past few decades – gifts of course, but also more gifts than ever before, massive yard displays of santa, lights, and snowmen, and of course lots of eating. Some estimate that waste increases by 25% over our normal consumption.
BUT it doesn’t have to be this way! Can you celebrate the holidays and not be a total grinch?
In this podcast, I offer you sustainable holiday tips to keep your season green! You can still celebrate while reducing your impact.
Specifically I go over:
- More sustainable gift giving:
- Quality over quantity
- Experiences over things – ideas for experiences
- Buying secondhand or upcycling items
- Give experiences instead of things or virtual gifts
- How to gift donations
- Purchase from companies that prioritize sustainability
- Shopping and Wrapping Gifts:
- Most sustainable shipping options
- Placing fewer orders is best
- Do we really need to wrap?
- How to wrap more sustainably if you must
- Meals
- Tips for more sustainable meals and eating (it’s also better for you too!)
- Tips for more sustainable parties (when it is safe to do so)
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
https://stephanieschuttler.com/getting-a-job-in-wildlife-biology-book/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Listen to the Fancy Scientist Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fancy-scientist-material-girl-living-in-sustainable/id1509587394
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Igp44eg6yzaik4hqbuiwqn7p6b4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29swiuHG4TWKbS9gRZrORW
wildlifebiology #wildlifebiologist #wildlife #conservation #wildlifemanagement #wildlifeconservation #zoology #zoologist #ecology #ecologist #scientist #animals #science #graduatestudent #graduateschool #wildliferesearch #animalcareers #animaljobs
For full show notes click here
Black Friday is the official kickoff for the holiday buying season. As a conservationist, I know that buying stuff is inherently bad for the planet. But as the daughter of a family business, I know the holiday season is essential for people. In fact, many businesses depend on the holidays for their survival.
I also know that regardless of the environmental message I present, that people will still shop. People (like my sister) will insist on gifts no matter what. And to be honest, as a fancy scientist, I have struggled with shopping myself. In fact, I love things like fashion and makeup.
In this episode, I share with you my secrets in turning your Black Friday green – showing you companies and ways you can buy gifts for loved ones with less of an impact on the earth.
I noticed after recording this podcast, that it is weighted towards clothes – maybe because that’s what I love to get for Christmas? But whether you are gifting or looking for stuff for yourself, this episode will help!
Specifically I go over:
- Things to think about BEFORE shopping at all on Black Friday
- Why we need to think about where we shop and using our dollars to vote
- B corporations and what they are
- The impact of the fashion industry on the environment
- My favorite companies/places to shop for makeup, skincare, clothing, accessories, handbags, sportswear, tea, and chocolates:
- Beautycounter (affiliate)
- The Real Real (affiliate)
- Thred Up
- Rent the Runway (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
- Reformation (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
- Tonlé
- Amour Vert
- Karen Kane (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
- Eileen Fisher (haven’t tried yet, but want to)
- Patagonia
- Kindred Belle
- Athleta
- World Wildlife Fund
- 4Ocean (Sold at our family business here)
- Bombas
- Conscious Step
- Elephant Origins Tea
- Alter Eco Chocolates
- And MORE!
For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/black-friday-green/
What’s the deal with coyotes? It seems like people are seeing them more and more and some coyotes have unusual behavior. What’s going on?
People also seem to really hate them, but do they deserve such a bad wrap? This is so interesting to me because so many people love dogs!
In this episode, I talk all about coyotes with a focus on coyotes in the eastern United States. This is a wide-ranging conversation that will likely answer questions you have about this super adaptive species.
Specifically, I go over:
- A brief history of coyotes
- How they’ve expanded their range in every direction in North America: east, west, south, and north
- Why they are so good at expanding their range and occupying new niches
- What coyotes look like at the most southern area of their range and why
- Are coy wolfs/coydogs a real thing?
- Coyotes in urban areas: LA, NYC, and Chicago
- My study on investigating boldness in coyotes and other animals
- Coyotes and domestic cats
- Coyotes and white-tailed deer: Are coyotes causing deer declines?
- My study on deer fear of coyotes – can they act as apex predators?
- Some weird stories of people being followed by coyotes
- Should you be scared of coyotes?
- If killing coyotes is an effective way to control populations
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYX66GP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
For full show notes visit : https://stephanieschuttler.com/32-clearing-up-coyote-misconceptions/
This week Colorado citizens voted to reintroduce grey wolves on their prey. Historically, grey wolves were all over the west, but currently they extirpated (locally extinct) through most of their range. Voters are now letting these apex predators come back.
Given my recent cougar episodes (#29 and #30 on the viral cougar video and eastern cougars) and this new ballot proposition, I thought it would be a great time to talk about the impacts of the loss of apex predators like cougars and grey wolves on their prey – specifically the white-tailed deer. The eastern USA has been without these two apex predators for a long time now.
But the plot thickens – humans act as predators for white-tailed deer through hunting and coyotes are canids that are very closely related to wolves. In recent decades, coyotes have expanded their range from the western US into the east. Can these two predators act as apex predators? Replace grey wolves and cougars?
Lots more goes into becoming an apex predator than just killing individuals alone – at least from a prey species’ perspective. The presence of predators can enormous effects on prey species – so much so that prey dramatically change their behavior.
In this podcast, I talk about a study I did in 2016 looking at the relationship between coyote abundance, hiking, and human hunting on the vigilance patterns of white-tailed deer. Our results surprised us!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What exactly are apex predators
- How apex predators influence prey species and therefore have ecosystem-wide impacts
- What the “landscape of fear” is
- Our large-scale study across 6 states on the impacts of coyotes and human hunting on deer vigilance, a measure of predator risk in ungulates
- Our surprising results and what they mean
- Challenges that apex predator reintroductions face
- and MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYX66GP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
For the full interview notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/31-apex-predators/
This week’s episode is inspired by photos posted to a Facebook group. A user posted these photos of part of a deer carcass high in a tree. They asked what animal would cause this? I watched the responses pour in and I knew what they would be.
Cougar. Mountain lion. Puma. These are different names for the same species (Puma concolor) and I knew people would say with certainty that this big cat did this.
But I knew it was not. In fact, I posted that there are NO eastern cougars. But I knew I would get a lot of opposition. I did.
In this episode, I talk about how I can be so certain. How scientists in general can be certain of this subspecies absence from such a large are. And also explain what people think they are seeing.
Even if you aren’t familiar with the story of cougars in the east, you’ll learn about the evidence (or lack thereof) that scientists use for detecting larger terrestrial mammals.
Specifically, I go over:
- Where cougars currently live and in the US, where they are starting to expand their range
- When eastern cougars were last detected
- Why the presence of individuals does not necessarily mean a population exists
- My research experience working in the eastern US in relation to cougars, specifically North Carolina and the description of large-scale studies on mammals
- Examples of large mammals with very low population sizes that are still detected by scientists
- The different methods scientists use to determine absence for large, terrestrial mammals
- Where verified cougar detections are found in the US
- What people are likely seeing when they say they see a cougar
- Explanations of real and verified cougar detections in the eastern US
- Where you can submit wild cat photos to have experts determine the species
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation?
Order “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” now:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYX66GP?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
A week ago, I made a YouTube video in response to a cougar “attack/stalking” video that went viral. But what was missing from the cougar viral video is what actually happened. That’s where I came in to get to the truth.
In brief, the video shows a cougar advancing towards a hiker and at times VERY aggressively. There is good reason why the cougar (AKA mountain lion, puma) did this, which is what I explain in my YouTube video, but when the video went viral, this message was left out by the media and viewers who shared it.
As a wildlife biologist, it is so FRUSTRATING to see these videos go viral because they are often taken out of context and the animals frequently are the ones to suffer, which is why I felt compelled to make the video.
A few days later though, I got a Facebook message from someone I didn’t know, a man named Kyle Burgess who introduced himself as the “cougar guy.” Yes, that cougar guy! He saw my video and was interested in working with me in some way to help spread positive messages about cougars, stating he learned a lot from this experience.
I was happy to hear this and decided to take him up on this offer and asked him to join me on my podcast to have a chat about what happened, how to avoid situations like this in the future, and how to help cougars in the wild.
I asked him LOTS of questions. Here’s what we went over:
- Why did he record the video?
- Why did he release the video?
- What does he think people took away from the video?
- Has he learned from this encounter? Would he do anything differently?
- Would you have not recorded? Not approached?
- Why didn’t he throw rocks? Or other things?
- Did he think about the costs the mountain lion had to experience? How he impacted her?
- Did he want to shoot to kill the cougar? Or just scare it?
- Did he have any prior experiences with cougars?
- How does he feel about the comments that say the cougar should be killed for doing this?
- Does he have a cat?
- What are the biggest misconceptions or errors in the media coverage of the encounter?
- How has he taken the online reaction?
- A lot of people – at least in the wildlife/ecology field thought you screwed up. Did he?
- Have he done anything to learn more about cougars and their threats?
- Does still hike the same trail? Is he still scared?
- What you should do in cougar country
- and MORE!
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
For the full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/29-cougar-viral-video-interview-with-trail-runner-kyle-burgess/
This is the fifth episode in a series all about how I actually studied elephants. For my Ph.D., I studied the social structure and genetic patterns of African forest elephants in Gabon. Here I follow up on aggressive elephants in the park, fun field stories, extracting and amplifying elephant DNA, and how to conserve elephants.
It may be a good idea to catch up with episodes #24-27 so you can fully understand what my field research and seasons were like:
24 How Do You Study Elephants? The Start of My Journey
25 Choosing a Field Site for Forest Elephant Research, and
26 First Field Season with Forest Elephants
27. Charging Elephants and Fresh Dung: Challenges from the Field
In this episode, I follow up on my experiences with aggressive elephants during my field work and hypothesize why what happened to me happened.
This episode is focused on my second field season and in addition to the close elephant encounters, I had another close encounter with an animal (actually lots and lots of them) that you can’t see in many places in Africa. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had in my whole life!
I also talk about my research after my field season – what it was like to work with the elephant dung samples back in the lab, what I did with them, and did they work? As always with science, things don’t go exactly as they planned.
Finally, I cannot talk about elephants without talking about their current plight – that they are at risk of extinction, especially forest elephants. The problem is surprisingly massive and if we don’t work hard now, we could lose this species. We’ve already lost a lot of forest elephant range and individuals.
Specifically, I go over:
- Why some elephants and elephant populations are aggressive and others are not
- What I think happened to me the night elephants broke into my room
- Rare sighting with a large group of mandrills
- A scary (non-animal) field story
- How to get DNA from dung and the lab work involved
- What you can do right now to help elephants
- and MORE!
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
This is the fourth episode in a series all about how I actually studied elephants. I recently gave a talk and people were really curious about how I went about this (how does one study elephants?).
I decided this would be the perfect thing to talk about on my podcast – taking you through step-by-step of how I set it all up and what it was really like to study forest elephants.
Before you continue, make sure you are up to date with episodes:
-
24 How Do You Study Elephants? The Start of My Journey
-
25 Choosing a Field Site for Forest Elephant Research, and
-
26 First Field Season with Forest Elephants
This week’s episode is all about studying elephants non-invasively through their dung and using it as a source of DNA. Did you know that some scientists study elephants completely through their dung? Some never even see the elephants!
When I was in the forest collecting dung, I had a super close encounter. This episode details getting too close to the elephants I was studying – and all by accident.
Finally, something happened to me during this field season that has never happened before in all of the history of the field station (25 years!). Let me tell you, it was scary – the scariest moment of my entire life. Listen and you’ll find out what this animal encounter involved.
Specifically, in this episode, I go over:
- Changing plans in the field AGAIN
- Things that went wrong in the field
- Finding fresh elephant poop (spoiler alert: It was harder than I thought)
- How elephant dung could answer my dissertation questions in a different way
- Animal encounters: Chimpanzees, charging elephants in the forest, scary elephant story at the field station
- and MORE!
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
For the full show notes, visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/27-charging-elephants-and-fresh-dung-challenges-from-the-field/
This episode is the third part of a series all about my dissertation research on African forest elephants. People were really curious about how I actually went about this (how does one study elephants?), so I made a series about how I set up the research and what it was like to study them. Make sure you are up to date with the first two episodes: #24. How Do You Study Elephants? The Start of My Journey and #25. Choosing a Field Site for Forest Elephant Research.
This week’s episode is all about preparing for my first field season – all of the steps I had to take to get there, and what studying forest elephants is really like.
The last time we left off, I was planning to work in Ivindo National Park. Now it’s time for me to get my permits, find funding to pay for my trip and lab work, and start my field work. But the first rule of science is that things never go as planned…
This week’s episode is all about these next steps. Specifically, I talk about:
- How I sought after funds to pay my field season: my time at the research station, field assistants, and fuel. Was I successful?
- Getting permits to work in a foreign country and overcoming language barriers
- Dealing with problems right from the start
- What field work is really like – how do you actually study forest elephants in the field?
- More problems: making mistakes in approaches to research, wasting time and money on things that didn’t work, dealing with difficult elephants
- and MORE!
View the full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/first-field-season-with-forest-elephants/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Welcome back to this series on how I set up my forest elephant research and what it was like to study them.
In the last episode, I take you through the process of how and why I decided to study African forest elephants, and how I came up with the research questions I would ask for my dissertation research. At this point of my Ph.D., I knew what I was going to study and now I had to find where I would conduct that research. Where would I go in all of central and west Africa to study forest elephants?
Despite the huge range of forest elephants, there aren’t that many places actually where you can easily study them. I had to find a park either with large bais, natural, open clearings in the forest or savanna habitats. Although forest elephants live in forested areas, there are some forest parks that have savanna remnants.
In this episode, I share with you my adventures in choosing a field site and how I ultimately decided which one to work at.
In the summer of 2007, I took a trip with my advisor to scope out three different protected areas in the Republic of Congo and Gabon: Odzala, Ivindo, and Lopé National Parks. You’ll hear about the adventures I had, the animals we saw along the way, and of course the elephants.
Specifically, I go over:
- What it was like to travel in the Republic of Congo and Gabon (one field site required days of travel involving dug-out canoe-like boats and a a flight I wasn’t too sure about
- What field sites look like in Central Africa – where did we stay and how it compared to other field sites I’ve visited
- Different animals that we saw along the way – gorillas, African grey parrots, and more!
- How I compared and assessed the field sites for my research
- and MORE!
For show notes and photos of all of the field sites, click here:
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
I chose to study elephants for my dissertation research. But how does one even set something like that up? Where do you begin?
I recently gave a talk to undergraduate students in wildlife studies. I talked about my past research including my dissertation research on forest elephants, but also more recent research on camera traps. At the end of the talk though, I got a lot of questions about how I set up more elephant research.
I thought now would be a great time to talk about that. In this episode, I talk about how I got started and why I chose forest elephants.
Specifically, we’ll go over:
- Why did I choose to research elephants? And forest elephants specifically?
- What makes elephants so interesting? Why did I find them fascinating?
- African savanna elephant social structure and behavior
- The different existing elephant species
- How I decided my research topic when I could study almost anything I wanted
- African forest elephant social structure
- My three research questions
For full show notes, click here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/study-elephants/
Let’s Connect:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
In this episode, I talk with scientist and science communicator Stephanie Martin about a topic near and dear to her heart – barriers to entry in the field of wildlife biology.
A lot of people may not know this, but experience is key for young wildlife biologists. Because conservation and science both are not lucrative fields, it is common for organizations and employers to hire people without paying them.
In fact, there are not only a lot of people willing to work for free, but there are also people willing to PAY to be able to work. This is especially true for work on charismatic species or in exotic field locations.
In this podcast, Stephanie and I discuss these barriers to entry and what it means for conservation and science. We go over:
What exactly are the barriers to entry in conservation and wildlife biology careers (there are several)
- How barriers to entry have negative implications for conservation
- Why barriers to entry exist in the first place
- What can be done to (partly) solve this problem
- What can you do if you are just starting out in this field
- Toxic work environments and consequences on young professionals
- What to do if you are in a toxic work environment
- How the nature of conservation and wildlife biology field work needs to change
To connect with Stephanie and for full show notes, click here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/barriers-to-entry-in-wildlife-and-conservation-jobs-with-stephanie-martin/.
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
Last week in episode #21, I talked about the importance of voting for the conservation of wildlife. This is the perfect follow-episode!
I interview marine scientist and science communicator Dr. Chris Parsons of the Speak Up for Blue Network. Chris has decades of experience working in conservation and knows that you cannot separate politics from wildlife.
In this episode, we talk about Chris’ vast experience working in conservation, but also about two recent papers he authored (links in resources section) on how conservation is perceived in academia. It’s really changed a lot within the past few decades.
As scientists must go through degree programs, how does this new relationship between research and conservation affect conservation as a whole?
Even if you are not an academic, you will enjoy this far-ranging conversation. You’ll learn what conservation really looks like in practice and how frequently it has little to the science of the animals we’re studying.
Specifically, we talked about:
- Why conservation isn’t being favored by academia
- How conservation differs from scientific research
- The consequences of academia moving away from conservation
- What is advocacy and activism
- Why scientists tend to veer away from these words to describe themselves
- Why scientists should not be afraid of advocacy and activism (and many are already practicing it)
Full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/chris-parsons/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
As a wildlife biologist, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is:
“What can I do to help animals?”
Well this episode is all about that exact topic. And guess what? It’s probably not what you think it is.
Want a clue? It happens every year, but we mostly pay attention to it every four years here in the US. It’s also super easy to do, although there are real barriers for many Americans (which I go over how to help overcome).
It’s…
VOTING!
Most people don’t realize it, but wildlife is always on the ballot.
It’s 2020, an election year for us in the USA. And not just any election year, a very, very important one – certainly the most important one in my lifetime.
In this episode, I talk about:
- The connection between voting and wildlife
- Why local offices matter
- The best way to vote in this year’s election
- How increasing voter turnout affects wildlife
- How you can help others vote
- Ways you can amplify your voice, get out the vote, and what it’s like to participate
For the full show notes of all of the resources mentioned, click this link: https://stephanieschuttler.com/want-to-help-animals-do-this-one-thing/
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? Here’s how:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?view_as=subscriber
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
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I am so excited – My book on wildlife biology careers is finally available on pre-order for Kindle. The paperback version will be out next month.
For the past year, I’ve been writing a book on wildlife biology careers from everything that I’ve learned over the past 17 years in my career. It’s jammed packed with information about my personal journey and advice for you on how to go about getting a job in this field.
This is a short and sweet episode about the five major takeaways you’ll get from this book. I promise it’s like no other book out there. During this podcast, I explain why.
I also offer two additional bonuses – one of which is a free ticket to my masterclass on resumes, CVs, and cover letters. This will be a 90 minute webinar teaching you how to write compelling cover letters and create resumes that stand out.
You’ll get this masterclass for free if you preorder the Kindle eBook or if you prefer the paperback version, you’ll get it if you order in the first week. Just save the receipt and I will have a form to sign up for it soon!
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
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Conservation is all about trying to protect and save plants, animals, and other organisms from going extinct. We do this work because we love nature, and it’s tough to read stories about people or organizations poaching wildlife, destroying primary rainforests, or plastics encompassing our oceans.
In other words, conservation can get you down.
It’s hard not to get affected by the gloom and doom, and many conservation organizations even use this tactic to get people to care. But it can backfire and make people feel even more hopeless about the planet.
Additionally, for those of us who work in conservation, science is a tough field, and having an optimistic attitudes is really not how a lot of scientists tend to be.
So what’s an aspiring scientists supposed to do?
In this podcast, I interview Dr. Ashley Scarlett AKA Dr. Scarlett Smash, to talk about this and her solution: mindful conservation. Ashley is an environmental science/marine conservation scientist and yogi practitioner on a journey of self-care. She has a new podcast: The Guide to Mindful Conservation: Dancing in Pink Hiking Boots.
The Guide to Mindful Conservation is a podcast is for professionals in the conservation practitioners or citizen scientists. Ashley believes that “connecting conservation and holistic healing to provoke and awaken a wholeness in one’s self…leads to sustainable happiness and efficiency.”
Specifically, we talk about:
How being in conservation or science can affect one's mental health
Some of the crazy things scientists do that aren't kind or helpful in conservation
- Why we need to work together
- What is mindfulness?
- What is mindful conservation?
- The mindful conservation conference
- How nature can help you heal
- How you can start healing yourself
- and MORE!
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
If you’ve listened to previous episodes of the podcast (like # and #), you know how important communication to the public is for science and conservation. Many scientists are on Twitter, Instagram, and even Tik Tok now, but hardly anyone I know uses Pinterest for science communication and conservation.
This is a mistake! Lots of people don’t even think about Pinterest when it comes to choosing social media platforms for communicating science and conservation messages, but it’s one of the best out there, just behind YouTube.
Pinterest is extremely effective for reaching new audiences with the content you are already creating. It is better than Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I get approximately 120,000 monthly views from my Pinterest page as opposed to my Twitter and Instagram feeds, which reach over 6,000 and 4,000 respectively.
For my website traffic for all of 2020 so far, over 15% comes directly from Pinterest, only second to a Google search. For my 3rd most viewed post on my website, 95+% of the traffic is from Pinterest.
But it’s not just about the numbers. Pinterest is great for many reasons. In this podcast, I’ll go over:
- What is Pinterest
- Why Pinterest is more evergreen than other social media platforms
- Why Pinterest will let you reach new and different audiences
- Why people may be more likely to read your Pinterest posts
- How to use Pinterest
- Tips to make your Pinterest page successful
- Easy and free tools to make pins
- and MORE!
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
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On this episode, I interviewed Dr. Chris Cloney, a combustible dust fire and explosion researcher who created a six-figure online business from his blog.
My podcast tends to focus on wildlife and conservation, so why am I interviewing an explosion researcher? Because Chris is amazing at science communication and all of the principles behind Dust Safety Science, GradBlogger, and now the Self Tenure Community can help you spread messages of conservation and even make a living from them.
Successful messaging and education are the key to conservation. We cannot separate all wildlife from humans, and even if we could, our impact on the planet (e.g. climate change) would still affect wildlife populations. So much of conservation is about changing human behaviors.
More specifically, we’ll talk about:
- How Chris makes tens of thousands of dollars each month with one of his blogs
- How to turn your blog into a business
- Science communication in general
- Blogging vs social media
- What to blog about
- Overcoming publishing nerves
- Handling negative comments from the Internet
- and MORE!
Full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/starting-a-scicomm-business-with-chris-cloney/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Within the past decade, there have been several prominent issues where the public has showed distrust in science and the scientists behind the studies: climate change, evolution, vaccines, and now COVID-19 and wearing masks.
This week on the podcast, I talk about what science actually is. We’re taught in school that science is about memorizing facts or taxonomic names (at least in biology). But science is really about asking and answering questions!
These questions, and the studies attempting to answer them aren’t done in isolation. As a scientist, it’s incredibly difficult to fabricate data or come up to erroneous conclusions and get away with it. Science is full of checks and balances, and while it is always evolving, there are definitely well-studied areas of research where the results are clear and there is a consensus among scientists.
But this is only half the work. Or maybe even less than half. Without the public understanding the science, our work doesn’t mean much. For example, we have lots of studies and climate scientists agree that humans are causing climate change at an accelerated rate, yet if the public and government officials don’t trust those studies or the scientists, we won’t be able to implement changes to mitigate the impacts. Therefore science communication is of utmost importance.
In the second half of this podcast, I transition into how scientists are communicating their research and how I am shifting to a new career entirely dedicated to science communication.
Most scientists think you can only work as a science communicator for an organization, but I’m sharing how I’m doing it with my blog. Next week, I talk to Chris Cloney, who has made an entire business out of science communication.
In this podcast, I:
- Take you through what it’s like to conduct a scientific study
- How scientists check each other’s work
- How studies are published in journal
- Why scientists are communicating their science
- How scientists can be communicators
- My transition into a career in science communication and how you can do the same.
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/what-science-is-really-like-and-careers-in-science-communication/
In today’s episode, I interview wildlife biologist and YouTuber Kristina Lynn on what it’s like to be a wildlife biologist and her success going viral on YouTube. She offers lots of great career tips and fun stories.
Kristina has a degree in ecology, animal behavior, and evolution. Her research includes many projects on understanding and assessing the influence of human development on wildlife species. Some of her current and past study species include grey wolf, cougars, Canada lynx, grizzly bear, and black bear.
Her research experience spans from California to the Bolivian Amazon to up north in western Canada. She has worked for the state and federal government, and in animal sanctuaries.
Kristina is passionate about conservation and encourages an eco-friendly lifestyle on her YouTube channel. She has a lot of videos for advice on careers in wildlife biology and even shows you what a day in the life is like.
Full show notes here with all of links to Kristina's YouTube and social media: https://stephanieschuttler.com/15-career-and-youtube-advice-with-wildlife-biologist-kristina-lynn/
This is a bonus episode! I recorded a webinar on Monday night to talk about my new Confusion to Clarity beta group. I realized that I had a Zoom audio file too and thought it would be a good addition to the podcast because even if you don't join my group, it has valuable advice for those interested in careers in wildlife biology.
When I looked for jobs after my PhD, I found out I was overqualified, yet not specialized enough for some of the jobs I wanted most.
My network didn’t help. In four cases, I did not get jobs that I interviewed for despite knowing working with someone on the hiring committee another candidate had more experience or a skill I did not have.
I LOVED my PhD research on elephants, but when I graduated, I found out there were very few jobs I was qualified for.
The secret to success in wildlife biology careers is to reverse engineer them.
In this episode, I go over 7 steps that I believe are essential for you to become competitive and find happiness. Enjoy!
Every day in the summer summer around dusk, I would look up above and see bats flying above my yard. I love bats, but so many people don’t. But bats are SO COOL!
In this episode I talk with my friend and bat biologist Lisa Gatens of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. She’s been studying bats for about 20 years. In this interview, she tells us some amazing bat facts as well as tips on how to live alongside and help out bats.
Specifically we go over…
- Fun bat facts
- Bat moms are bad ass
- Tequila!
- Vampire bats
- Bat diversity
- Why bats are important
- What bats do for people
- How to attract bats to your yard
- Why do bats need our help?
- What should you do if you have a bat in your house
- Bats and disease
- Bats and COVID-19
- Bats are cute
- And MORE!
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Full show notes: https://stephanieschuttler.com/bats-are-the-best-bat-fun-with-bat-biologist-lisa-gatens/
Elephants are sought after for their ivory, which comes from their tusks. In most countries, it is illegal, but this has’t stopped people from killing them.
Elephant poaching was at its highest ever within the past two decades. But some studies are reporting that poaching decreased.
However, a new study contradicts this overall narrative; that poaching has decreased for elephants. Previous studies didn’t account for missing data and when you look at the geographic regions, it’s a lot more complicated.
In this episode, I talk about what’s really going on with elephants and poaching. I studied forest elephants for my Ph.D., so this is a topic near and dear to my heart.
In this podcast, I’ll cover:
- The 3 species of elephant and their different threats
- Poaching in Africa
- How species designations affect the conservation of African elephants
- Is poaching really decreasing?
- Why do studies show conflicting results?
- What you can do to help the conservation of elephants
Full show notes here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/has-poaching-decreased-for-elephants/
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?
Over the summer, kids go to summer camps and aspiring wildlife biologists have technician positions, internships, or volunteer opportunities. With COVID-19 causing much of the country to shut down, many outdoor programs for kids have been cancelled and young wildlife biologists are left without any summer experience.
Summer is the perfect time to go outside and connect to wildlife. In episode 7, I talked about how aspiring wildlife biologists can spend the summer honing some skills related to wildlife. Nature also has so many physical and mental health benefits, but maybe you just don't know what to do?
Well, I got you covered!
In this podcast, I cover my 10 favorite activities that I used to do as a child and still do today as an adult to connect to wildlife. These activities will help you learn local animals, contribute to real science, and see wildlife in ways you may have never seen them before.
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA
I have been applying for jobs in wildlife biology on and off since I graduated with my Ph.D. in 2012. While I knew jobs in academia were competitive, I didn't realize until after I finished school, how competitive careers in wildlife biology were too. My biggest mistake in my wildlife biology career has been my source of inspiration for writing my upcoming book.
This week, I have been writing up a storm trying to finish my book, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to talk about what what I'm writing about, who I'm writing for, and what you'll get from my book that you won't get from other books or even your professors.
The pathway to a wildlife biology career is nebulous, and the goal of my book is to help you figure out what job you want so you can make sure you get all of the skills and experience necessary to be competitive in that job. Learn what my biggest mistake was in my wildlife biology career and how you can avoid making it.
In this episode, I share with you what that mistake is and some things you can get started on today to help you avoid making that mistake. Show notes here: https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/mistake-wildlife-biology-career/
t's summertime which means lots of people are headed to the beach, which also means lots of sunscreen. But before you grab a new bottle, you might not have known that what you put on your body has been harming ocean life in a big way.
Sunscreen has had such a big impact on the marine environment, that the state of Hawaii even banned a certain type of it. Some ingredients in sunscreen hav been shown to negatively affect coral reefs. In this podcast episode, I break down not only sunscreen and coral reefs, but why you also have to think about sunscreen and you.
Specifically, I'll go over:
Why are places banning sunscreen?
What kinds of impacts does sunscreen have on the ocean?
What kinds of impacts does sunscreen have on your health?
What kinds of sunscreen should you avoid?
What is reef-friendly sunscreen?
What kinds of sunscreen should you buy?
For full show notes and resources visit my blog: https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/sunscreen-and-coral-reefs-and-you/
Birds are one of my favorite backyard animals because they are everywhere! I invited ornithologist Lauren Pharr on the podcast to discuss bird basics. In this episode we go over:
How to attract birds to your backyard including:
• Songbirds
• Hawks and other raptors
• Owls
• Hummingbirds
Bird basics on food:
• Is feeding okay?
• What kinds of foods to give for different types of birds
• Keeping feeders clean
Tips for people who want to get started in birding:
• Apps to use
• Citizen science
• Tips for learning bird song
Lauren's research and how she got interested in birds
Black Birders Week:
• What is #BlackBirdersWeek?
• How did it get started?
And MORE!
For the full show notes visit: https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/bird-basics/
Summer is a key time for aspiring wildlife biologists. To be successful in this career, you need experience. Most wildlife biologists conduct their field work in the summer when professors don't have to teach and students don't have to take courses. Therefore, summer is a key time to gain experience.
But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced biologists to cancel their field work and stay home. It forced museums, nonprofits, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries to shut down, most of which are still closed. So what are aspiring wildlife biologists supposed to do?
This is exactly what one of my instagram followers asked me:
Is there anything I can do online or virtually to build up my experience?
Yes, I believe there are two things you can do to directly build up your experience and 1 tip that is essential for your career success. In this podcast I go over these three tips:
-
Citizen science: How to find a program and if you should put it on your resume
-
Become a naturalist
-
Learn about the jobs you want right now using my Job Planner
Get the full show notes here.
I grew up loving snakes, but I also grew up in an area with 0 venomous snakes. Since then I've lived alongside venomous snakes in Kenya, Gabon, and now North Carolina, where I see them on a near-regular basis.
But guess what? I still love them! The goal of this podcast is to hopefully get you to love them - or like them - or at least live with them.
In this podcast, I go over:
- My experiences being up close with copperheads and rattlesnakes
- What to do when you see a snake
- Who you can ask to identify a snake
- What to do when you see a venomous snake
- How many people die from snakebites (the answers may surprise you)
- How most people get bit
- Should you kill venomous snakes?
- Should you relocate a venomous snake?
- Do moth balls work to deter snakes?
- And MORE!
Want to learn more about wildlife biology, being a scientist, and conservation? Here’s how:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn about the coolest animals and get my tips about careers in wildlife biology, science communication, and more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KlOYUv8lxU3MG4sfxaLzA?view_as=subscriber
I’m writing a book on careers in wildlife biology. Don’t miss the launch! Visit http://fancyscientist.com to subscribe to my newsletter to stay up-to-date on its release.
I’d love to meet you. Connect with me on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/pins/
Join the Scientist Support Network, a Facebook group where you can connect to other scientists and scientists to be, post questions, and ask for support in your scientific career: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scientistsupportnetwork/
I frequently get emails asking me wildlife biologist questions: what we do, how we spend our time, and how you can better prepare for a career in wildlife biology. In this special episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I agreed to answer questions from one aspiring wildlife biologist for her high school assignment. Given how much people want to know about this career, I thought it would be a great idea to answer these wildlife biologist job questions on air.
Our diets have a gigantic impact on wildlife. In this episode, learn the biggest change that you can make to reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. In fact, it's one of the biggest things you can do in general to reduce your carbon footprint. I give you my own tips and tricks for transitioning.
For all of the resources mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes here.
As COVID-19 spread across the world, countries and states ordered for people to stay at home. This massive change in human behavior gave wildlife the opportunity to roam without human interruption.
I summarize some of the newsworthy responses of animals during lockdown and talk about how unusual they really are (or aren't).
Show notes here.
Social media has made selfies an everyday occurrence. But when they involve wildlife, they can quite literally put their lives as risk. Learn about why animal selfies are more than just a selfie, and how you can take more ethical photos of wildlife that send a more powerful message.
For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animal-selfies-more-than-a-selfie/
In this episode, I talk about the frustrations I had with the Netflix series Tiger King. While the show focused on big cat owners, it skirted around major issues on animals in captivity.
Do zoos play a role in conservation? How?
Are the facilities in the Tiger King really the same?
From my 17 years in wildlife biology, I provide an expert opinion.
For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/conversations-on-animals-in-captivity-tiger-king/
Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. This is a short intro episode about what the Fancy Scientist podcast is all about, who’s it for, and what you’ll get from listening.