So, you want to be a wildlife biologist?

So, you want to be a
wildlife biologist?
Why become a wildlife biologist?
• Love of wildlife, nature, and working
outdoors
• Care about conserving, protecting, and
enhancing wildlife and their habitats
– Benefits to people
– Benefits to wildlife itself
What will you actually do day to
day?
• Depends on who you work for
• Can be in the field, or indoors
• Travel or stay in
one place
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What kinds of jobs are there?
•Wildlife Biologist or
Manager
•Outdoor Recreation
Planner or Ranger
•National or State
Wildlife Refuge
Manager
•Wildlife Inspectors or
Special Agent
•Academic Professor
Who can you work for?
• Federal government
– EPA, Forest Service, Park Service, BLM,
USFWS, NOAA, USGS
• State government
– Department of Ecology, DFW,
Conservation Commission, DNR, Parks and
Recreation Commission
Who can you work for?
• Non profit organizations
• Large and small
• Regional and international
• What is the focus?
– Science based conservation?
– Advocacy?
– Outreach?
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Who can you work for?
• Universities
• Zoos
• Museums
• Consulting firms
• Again, what is the focus? What
are duties? Does this include
things you are interested in?
First steps
• Discover what you are
really interested in
• Determine the kind of
background do you need
• Select the most
appropriate major
– Environmental Science &
Resource Management
(School of Forest and
Environmental Sciences)
– Program on the Environment
(PoE)
– Biology
First steps
• Get to know the UW faculty
and graduate students
– Help with a research
project
• Join the UW Student Chapter
of The Wildlife Society
– http://students.washington.edu/uwtws
• Apply for a seasonal wildlife
technician job, internship, or
volunteer position
• Attend scientific meetings
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Apply to Graduate School
• Networking is key
• Try to focus your research
interests
• Admission often depends
on funding
• Build your resume
– Get experience!
Get field experience!
Where to find jobs
ORNITHOLOGICAL JOBS:
Positions and Opportunities Available, On-line
http://www.osnabirds.org/on/ornjobs.htm
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Texas A&M University Job Board
http://wfscnet.tamu.edu/jobboard/index.htm
USFWS Student Programs
http://www.fws.gov/jobs/studentjobs.htm
Environmental Careers Organization
http://www.eco.org/
Student Conservation Association
http://www.thesca.org/
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Good luck!
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