🚀 go-pugleaf

monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu (Kristine M Moncada) wrote:
>Hi, I am currently engaged in a frustrating job search.  I would like 
>advice from professional biologists about what steps I should take to 
>find employment.  Here is my history:
[snipped ]


>-  1994 to present  I volunteer with the MN Dept. of Natural Resources 
>   assisting with forest and prairie restoration.
>
>Here are some of the steps I've taken to find work:
>
>1.  I've applied to the few ads in the newspaper, in the state job 
>    newsletter, and in an ecology job newsletter.
>2.  I am registered at the resume services at my college career office
>    and at the state Job Service.
>3.  I call several joblines in the Twin Cities area.
>4.  I've researched companies and sent out resumes.
>5.  I've posted my resume on some newsgroups.
>6.  I've bought reference books for job seekers.

Looks like you've done it all! (BUt I'm no expert)

>I am not the only one having problems, as I have met other biology-majors 
>with difficulties like mine.  I am considering going back to school, but 
>I don't see many indications that a Master's in Ecology will solve my 
>dilemna. 

It won't.Indeed any graduate work in the same field you are having  trouble inn
(getting a job) is likely to just dig you in deeper. If you choose to ignore my 
advice on this, at least talk to some Master's (or PhDs) in Ecology, before you 
commit yourself. But it sounds like you know the score already.

>I want a job in science that utilizes my background and offers 
>opportunities for advancement.  

Warning; don't make the same mistake I did.  I  too  had a Bacholor's in  Biology withh
an emphasis in Ecology. When  I  realized, soon after graduation that  there were no jobs 
in the field (excuse the pun). I decided to hop into the lab and get in on the Biotech stuff.
Just think of it! Endangered species gentics and reproduction, Fornesic game managemnet, the 
mind boggles at the opportunities for some one dedicated to Ecology yet with  the experience
to use the high tech toys to address environmmental isssues. At least that's what I thought.
It doesn't work that way. All that  is  out there is part-time and short-term workk
(which, I'm sure you'll agree is better than nothin, but it isn't a career.)
And my plan B ; to go fully into Biotech if Ecology  isn't viable, is a  mistake too.
EVERYBODY is becoming a "biotechnologist" (Molecular bilogist, Biochemist, etc). 
Frankly, science is in a bad state.

>Should I get some type of environmentally- 
>related Associate's Degree?  Or should I just go into a different field?  
>What about going into Landscape Architecture or GIS Management (two 
>topics that interest me)? 

Don't know. However, if you are thinking about  more  school, you would be  smart  to 
forget the "more science option".
If I were to do it all over agian (got my Bacholors' in 1978!) I would look into  furtherr
education in LAw or Business (Ugh, yech! You've got to be  kidding.)  Either of these might s
set you up for work in environmental consulantcy (BUT I  don't  know the job market, 
It would have been a good idea in the eightys. Find out what they are doing  now))

>Where are the jobs?  

Mars?

Dr Love (PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MBA in progress)

monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu (Kristine M Moncada) wrote:
>
> Hi, I am currently engaged in a frustrating job search.  I would like 
> advice from professional biologists about what steps I should take to 
> find employment.  Here is my history:
> 
<snip>

> I am not the only one having problems, as I have met other biology-majors 
> with difficulties like mine.  

The problem is not restricted to people with Bachelor's degrees - 
there are a fair number of "professional postdocs" out there who 
cannot find permanent employment.  This is not a particularly good
time to be a scientist, especially with the current Congress.


>I am considering going back to school, but 
> I don't see many indications that a Master's in Ecology will solve my 
> dilemna. 

I agree.

> I want a job in science that utilizes my background and offers 
> opportunities for advancement.  Should I get some type of environmentally- 
> related Associate's Degree?

By Associate's degree I assume you are referring to a 2-year degree.
IMHO, that would be worthless in a practical sense.

>  Or should I just go into a different field?  
> What about going into Landscape Architecture or GIS Management (two 
> topics that interest me)? 

GIS and its related applications are really hot right now.  In my 
field (Wildlife Biology) more and more job announcements include 
"knowledge of GIS software (e.g., ArcInfo)" listed under the 
"preferred experience" category.  Furthermore, a lot of currently
classified, high-resolution imagery taken by military satellites is 
slated to be de-classified within the next year; hence, there will be 
a huge input of raw data to be used for GIS-related applications by
natural resource managers etc., which could translate into more job
opportunities.  If you are interested in GIS, I encourage you to post 
questions regarding GIS opportunities (and possible graduate programs) 
in the GIS newsgroup at the following address:

news:comp.infosystems.gis



> Where are the jobs?  I would like to hear any 
> advice and about other people's experiences.  Thanks for any help.
> 
> 				Kristine M. Moncada
> 
> Post reply or e-mail me at monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu 

Best of luck to you.

Regards,

Bill

BThompson <williamt@lamar.colostate.edu> wrote:
>
> monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu (Kristine M Moncada) wrote:
> >
 
> > I want a job in science that utilizes my background and offers 
> > opportunities for advancement.  Should I get some type of environmentally- 
> > related Associate's Degree?
> 
> By Associate's degree I assume you are referring to a 2-year degree.
                                                        ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^
> IMHO, that would be worthless in a practical sense.
> 

I meant "2-year degree" at the undergraduate level rather than at 
the graduate level.

In <monca001.802152571@maroon.tc.umn.edu> monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
(Kristine M Moncada) writes: 
>
>Hi, I am currently engaged in a frustrating job search.  I would like 
>advice from professional biologists about what steps I should take to 
>find employment.  Here is my history:
>
>*EDUCATION*
>
>-  National Merit Scholar from U of MN - Twin Cities with a B.S. in 
>   Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior with a minor in Physical
Anthropology.
>-  Performed field research in Costa Rican cloud forest.
>
>*EMPLOYMENT* (Since graduating, I have only found temporary/seasonal
work.)
>
>-  1993 (6 months)  Office Asst./Database Administration.
>-  1993/1994 (6 months)  Food Quality Control Lab Technician.
>-  1994 (6 months)  Research Asst. for Deer Tick Distribution Study.
>-  1995 (3 months)  Research Asst. evaluating software for paint co.
>
>*VOLUNTEER*
>
>-  1994 to present  I volunteer with the MN Dept. of Natural Resources

>   assisting with forest and prairie restoration.
>
>Here are some of the steps I've taken to find work:
>
>1.  I've applied to the few ads in the newspaper, in the state job 
>    newsletter, and in an ecology job newsletter.
>2.  I am registered at the resume services at my college career office
>    and at the state Job Service.
>3.  I call several joblines in the Twin Cities area.
>4.  I've researched companies and sent out resumes.
>5.  I've posted my resume on some newsgroups.
>6.  I've bought reference books for job seekers.
>
>I am not the only one having problems, as I have met other
biology-majors 
>with difficulties like mine.  I am considering going back to school,
but 
>I don't see many indications that a Master's in Ecology will solve my 
>dilemna.  I want a job in science that utilizes my background and
offers 
>opportunities for advancement.  Should I get some type of
environmentally- 
>related Associate's Degree?  Or should I just go into a different
field?  
>What about going into Landscape Architecture or GIS Management (two 
>topics that interest me)?  Where are the jobs?  I would like to hear
any 
>advice and about other people's experiences.  Thanks for any help.
>
>				Kristine M. Moncada
>
>Post reply or e-mail me at monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu 

Kristine,

With the B.S. in Ecology/Biology, you are most likely going to be able
to get low paying tech jobs in medical research or medical
manufacturing.  Over 10 or 15 years, you might be able to push yourself
over into an engineering capacity if your company likes you.

A better bet would be to go back and get a Masters in Biomedical or
other engineering discipline.  In particular, a good dose of statistics
courses in that program will help in getting work in medical
manufacturing regulatory affairs or quality assurance work.  Add an MBA
for good measure so that you know how to "talk the talk" and you can go
to the top if you're good.

I speak from personal experience with a Bachelors in Bio...it is a long
tough road and it still leaves you pretty vulnerable to unemployment.

Good Luck.

Paul Mullin

pmullin@ix.netcom.com

Although I'm not sure how this would extrapolate to the US based on the 
experience of UK graduates I would advise you think twice before going
on to a masters or other higher degree.  Experience has shown that,
in the uk at least, a higher degree does not guarentee a job. YMMV.

I have contact numbers for a few US job agencies.  I can make no
judgement of their eficacy and do specifically recomend or endorse
them as I only use one of them and I'm still waiting for them to 
get back to me.

Science Temps
voice (908) 709 9200
fax   (908) 272 0272
email scitemps@intac.com

The Scientists Registry
voice (908) 272 6811
fax   (908) 709 0554

Lab Support
voice (908) 562 1171

Donald Truss, president of Science Temps, recently posted an article
about job hunting which gave some good advice on how to get the job you want.
If you can find it, it may be in an archive somewhere, it was definately 
posted to uk.jobs.d and possibly to bionet.jobs and a number of the other
regional job groups.
-- 
Another missive from the desk of Stephen Booth
DISCLAIMER:  The above is probably my opinion but I may change my mind.

"It would be unladylike to repeat his exact words.  But to Paraphrase:
he analysed your simian ancestry in some detail and described rather
a solitary vice you should practice to extinction" - Obelia, "And Eternity"

monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu  writes:
> Hi, I am currently engaged in a frustrating job search.  I would like 
> advice from professional biologists about what steps I should take to 
> find employment.  Here is my history:
> 
> *EDUCATION*
> 
> -  National Merit Scholar from U of MN - Twin Cities with a B.S. in 
>    Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior with a minor in Physical Anthropology.
> -  Performed field research in Costa Rican cloud forest.
> 
> *EMPLOYMENT* (Since graduating, I have only found temporary/seasonal work.)
> 
> -  1993 (6 months)  Office Asst./Database Administration.
> -  1993/1994 (6 months)  Food Quality Control Lab Technician.
> -  1994 (6 months)  Research Asst. for Deer Tick Distribution Study.
> -  1995 (3 months)  Research Asst. evaluating software for paint co.
> 
> *VOLUNTEER*
> 
> -  1994 to present  I volunteer with the MN Dept. of Natural Resources 
>    assisting with forest and prairie restoration.
> 
> Here are some of the steps I've taken to find work:
> 
> 1.  I've applied to the few ads in the newspaper, in the state job 
>     newsletter, and in an ecology job newsletter.
> 2.  I am registered at the resume services at my college career office
>     and at the state Job Service.
> 3.  I call several joblines in the Twin Cities area.
> 4.  I've researched companies and sent out resumes.
> 5.  I've posted my resume on some newsgroups.
> 6.  I've bought reference books for job seekers.
> 
> I am not the only one having problems, as I have met other biology-majors 
> with difficulties like mine.  I am considering going back to school, but 
> I don't see many indications that a Master's in Ecology will solve my 
> dilemna.  I want a job in science that utilizes my background and offers 
> opportunities for advancement.  Should I get some type of environmentally- 
> related Associate's Degree?  Or should I just go into a different field?  
> What about going into Landscape Architecture or GIS Management (two 
> topics that interest me)?  Where are the jobs?  I would like to hear any 
> advice and about other people's experiences.  Thanks for any help.
> 
> 				Kristine M. Moncada
> 
> Post reply or e-mail me at monca001@maroon.tc.umn.edu 

This advice is worth about what you have paid for it. But until
last August, when I retired, I was an undergrad advisor in the
Dept. of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia.
Over the years I saw several students with problems like yours.
Yet most of our graduates, who could call themselves
ecologists, got good jobs. 

What's the secret? Think of yourself not as a biologist, but as
someone with a broad education who can talk with engineers,
businessmen, and, of course, biologists. Look for jobs with
consulting firms. They may be advertising for an environmental
engineer. But what they really are looking for is someone with
the broad knowledge to write environmental impact statements
and to also talk with local, state, and federal beaurocrats. Or
look at federal agencies. The park service needs all sorts of
folks with broad educations. Or how about the world bank? They
have employed several of our graduates. They were looking for
environmental engineers, but when they realized that our
graduates could deal not only with sewage treatment plants, but
with the dynamics of wildlife populations, they hired our
people.

An ecologist is, in a sense, a jack of all trades and master of
none. In another sense he or she is a modern Leonardo da Vinci.
Emphasize your broad range of experience, your willingness and
ability to work with folks in a tremendous number of fields,
and I bet you'll find a darn good job. 
-- 
Associate Professor (Emeritus)
University of Virginia
mgk@darwin.clas.virginia.edu