Wildlife - Explore A Career
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| Skills needed to succeed in the Wildlife field |
This is a listing of skills that will supplement your college education. Develop them early!
Develop knowledge and skills
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- Hiking
- Swimming
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Canoeing, motor boating
- Snowmobiling, ATV
- Standard Transmission
- Backing a trailer
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- First Aid
- Map & Compass
- Marksmanship
- Tree Climbing
- Trapping Tracking
- Bird Identification
- Plant Identification
- Other taxonomic skills
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Operate Vehicles
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Obtain a drivers license; get experience hauling and backing boat and snowmobile trailers Learn to drive: standard transmission, pickup truck, van, 4-wheel drive, farm tractor, other farm equipment
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| Take up a hobby |
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Nature photography
- Backpacking
- Canoeing
- Bird watching
- Plant collecting
- Shooting
- These hobbies will increase your skills and make you more competitive for employment positions
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| Career Advice |
- ATTEND the Unity Career Fair - talk with the professionals in your field, conduct informational interviews
- TALK with upperclassman - where did they volunteer, intern, and find employment?
- ASK faculty, and CRC about Unity alumni who are employed in the Wildlife field. Call alumni who are working in an area you want to work; introduce yourself, let them know you are looking for advice, internship, job
- JOIN The Wildlife Society (TWS) and/or the Maine Chapter of TWS by your junior year.
- ATTEND area, state, regional, national recreation conferences
- READ Any and all wildlife related popular and semiprofessional magazines or publications that interest you. If you find a subject or article intriguing, so some research on that subject in books or journals such as the Journal of Wildlife Management etc.
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| Jobs for Wildlife Students |
- American Birding Association Volunteer opportunities (some provide stipends and/or housing) Listings searchable by state
- Avue Central is a federal employment service provided absolutely free to the public. This site has been highly recommended by students as easier to use than the USAJOBS site. We gave it a try and it seemed pretty good.
- Jobs in Conservation Biology - This site is sponsored by a non-profit group; it provides a job database along with other useful links.
- Ornithological Societies of North America - ORNITHOLOGICAL JOBS: Positions and Opportunities Available, On-line
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates - Use their on-line searchable database to find paid research opportunities. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects designed especially for the purpose.
- Student Conservation Association - Use the SCA database to look for "wildlife management", "working with birds", "herpetology" internship and conservation associate positions. Complete one application to apply for multiple positions with federal, state and nonprofit organizations across the country; 12 week to 52 week positions available. Many Unity students secure SCA internships, summer positions and first positions when they graduate.
- The Wildlife Society Job - Jobs Board - Select "View TWS Job Board" This is a new jobs board but it is getting some great listings.
- State and Federal Fish and Wildlife Departments - links to the websites or federal and state fish and wildlife, and conservation offices in each state
- Texas A&M Job Board - A searchable site with great opportunities ranging from temporary and seasonal employment to graduate assistantships and fellowships.
- Career Resource Center's Job Webpage-Tons of other web links to jobs.
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| What types of positions can I work in? |
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First positions to look for :
- Joining the Unity Wildlife Club--get a group to volunteer on a wildlife project for the weekend.
- Volunteering a day or two at a time with professionals in the field. (It may take quite a bit of effort to be accepted as a volunteer - visit the agency office a few times.)
- Working or volunteering at a zoo, animal farm, animal shelter, animal rehabilitation center or pet store. Any position which gives you experience working with animals is valuable.
- Interning or volunteering--Try to get in on a basic internship or seasonal volunteer positions even if it is only for a few weeks. Check with state and federal wildlife refuges and preserves in your area. Also contact regional fish and wildlife offices, state parks and national forest service offices.
- Working at a Deer Check Station - These paid positions are a premium and you must be recommended and have taken the Wildlife Techniques course.
Volunteering even half a day a week for the summer will provide you with valuable
experience. You may need to ask repeatedly before being taken on as a volunteer.
When you have some skills and experience:
Seasonal, part-time and temporary positions - Apply at the the places suggested as volunteer options; if you volunteered for the organization the previous summer or school break your chances of employment are greatly increased
Intern or volunteer - Try to get in on a basic internship or seasonal volunteer positions even if it is only for a few weeks.
Remember it's all about NETWORKING. If you don't network how is anybody to know who you are and what you have to offer? Volunteering is where you are given the chance to schmooze with the professionals, use it wisely. This is where a lot of people get their first jobs.
Definition of "NETWORKING"- Introducing yourself to, and getting to know, people who might be able to tell you about a job. "An estimated 80% of all jobs are filled by word of mouth even though they may be advertised." The Career Search Handbook
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| After Unity, what do alumni do? |
Title and Organization
- Taxidermist, Self-Employed
- Waterfowl Biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Assistant Regional Biologist, ME Dept Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- Wildlife Biologist, Penn. Bureau of Forestry
- Wildlife Mitigation Specialist, Idaho Fish and Game
- Herd Technician II, ALAT, Genzyme Transgenics Corporation
- Wildlife Biologist, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
- Assistant herpetologist, Jones Ecological Research Center
- Biologist, Army Corps of Engineers
- Wildlife Clinic Supervisor, Volunteers for Wildlife
- Biologist Animal Specialist, USDA-ADC - (Animal Damage Control)
- Professor of Conservation Biology, Richard Stockton College
- Staff Biologist, EIP Associates California
- Zoologist, New York Natural Heritage Program
- Professor Wildlife & Fisheries, South Dakota State University
Degree, Major and School
- Masters Zoology and Wildlife Science, Auburn University
- Masters Biology Tennessee Technical University
- Masters Fish & Wildlife, Texas A&M
- Masters; PhD Wildlife, Humboldt; UC Berkeley
- Masters Biology, New Mexico State University
- Masters Wildlife Biology, University of Idaho
- Masters/PhD Ecology, Eastern Kentucky University / West Virginia University
- Masters Forensic Science, University of New Haven
- Masters/ PhD Wildlife Management/ Wildlife & Fisheries Ecology, UMO/ Oklahoma State
Visit the CRC and get contact information for alums so
you can get advice from former Unity students.
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| Develop a gift wish list |
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If anyone asks what you would like for your birthday, Christmas, Chanukah, graduation etc. suggest the following
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- Rain Gear
- Hip Waders
- Hiking Boots
- Wildlife Society
- Membership
- Reference Books
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- Binoculars
- Compass
- Camera
- $$ to go to a wildlife conference
- A wildlife magazine subscription
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Need some equipment in the meantime? Stop by the equipment room in the OAC. With a $20.00 refundable deposit you can take out equipment including canoes, backpacks, snowshoes, skis, wet suits and much more!
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| Grad School Links |
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| Professional Association Links |
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For more information about the Wildlife degree at Unity College click here
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