#field tech

Here’s my advice:

1. Get involved with research. This can mean joining a lab, even helping with someone else’s project. If you have one year left to go and it’s possible at your school, I’d hope you already have some connection to research, but if not, this next year isn’t too late to start. If it’s in the field, that’s even better, but doing or assisting with any research will get you used to following a protocol that isn’t sanitized for a teaching lab. 

2. Seek out skills. Field jobs are in a unique position where many of the skills needed (whether listed on the job description or not) are not ones you pick up in school. Can you drive stick? Know how to change a tire? Can you navigate without your phone? First-aid certified? These are not usually required (although may be for more rugged jobs) but they are always a nice bonus on on application or to mention in an interview.

Skills observing your organism of choice are critical. Knowing how to use binoculars or a spotting scope to quickly get on a bird translates easily into reading color bands, checking for a device attached to a bird, etc. For herpetology, knowing the habits of different species and where to find them can be helpful if you are, for example, tracking frogs. Learning your local stuff can be helpful even if you end up working in a different ecosystem, because you have the framework to learn more. For example, I knew nothing about Australian birds when I went there, but I was able to learn them quickly because I was used to learning American birds quickly. So, get out there and start lookin’ at critters.

Being generally in-shape is great, and many jobs list the ability to list like, 40-50 pounds, but it’s not always super necessary. I would not call myself “in shape” at all and I don’t really work out lol. But I can hike, carry the gear we need, and make it through a day, so it’s not a big issue. If you don’t already, I recommend spending a lot of time outdoors (and learning how to dress… live that long-sleeve overshirt, undershirt-tucked-into-pants-tucked-into-socks life).

If you’re already an outdoorsy person, sorry if this sounds basic or condescending–but I’ve seen people who didn’t know the first thing about working all day outside!

3. Know where to look for jobs. I only looked for ornithology tech positions, which I found almost all of on the Ornithology Exchange short-term job board. For more general wildlife jobs, try the Texas A&M job board. There might even be work available at your school, although that usually goes to undergraduates. I’ve never found the Ecolog job listserve very helpful, but it might be useful as well. If readers of this post have any other field job search recommendations, comment!

4. Cast a wide net. Many field jobs are flexible, and let you learn skills as you go. If you think you meet 80% of the requirements, and the job sounds bearable, APPLY. I ended up making a big spreadsheet with jobs that I was considering. For summer jobs, start looking at the beginning of winter break.

5. Know a fair job from an unfair one. None of these jobs will pay particularly well, and if they do, they probably don’t last long. Beware of programs that charge you. There are some out there that will feed and house you, but you have to get your own transportation- if you can afford that, then good for you, but there are paying, non-volunteer jobs out there.