There are only two ways to get ahead, but neither gives instant gratification...
1) keep getting more education whether it means adding courses, degrees (in same and other disciplines) or what. I have a phd and just finished a course on using the program R. There is always more to learn. This does not guarantee you will succeed, but at least you are doing something. Sitting waiting for your next gig just keeps you falling behind in both skills and knowledge. 2) publication. If you can figure out a way to get peer reviewed pubications out of your work, it will generally lead to permanent jobs, even if those are not research posts. Malcolm On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 2:49 PM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > Jason, David, and John (and Ecolog): > > I forgot that when I decided to give up my cushy high-paid job, I > individually typed, on an old Underwood typewriter, forty applications to > forty National Forest offices. I got one response, but all I needed was one > job. I'm sure glad I didn't stop at 39. > > WT > > PS: "Tis friction's brisk, rough rub, that provides the vital spark!" --A. > R. Martin > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Winkowski" > <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:56 AM > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] What do technicians do in the "off" season? > > >> I graduated in 2007 from St Lawrence University with my B.S. (double major >> in Biology and Environmental Studies) and was in the same boat. >> Essentially, >> as soon as you are hired and begin one seasonal job, the best thing to do >> is >> start applying, or at least looking, for the next. You are competing with >> 1,000s of people that are struggling to have continuity in employment as >> entry level biologists. You need to apply to many positions to keep your >> options open and hopefully have some options to work with. If you end up >> getting hired onto a project (and you hopefully like that project) keep >> contact with your boss upon completion of a season because this could be a >> great option for next year. Generally, supervisors like to hire employees >> back due to the fact that you are already trained with their protocol, you >> know the backcountry where field sites are, they know you've managed to >> complete a season before, and you can help train new employees. I managed >> to >> sort of cycle between 3-4 jobs throughout a 3 year period and it worked >> out >> really well. >> >> It is quite the struggle and I suggest meeting a lot of friends along the >> way to be prepared to couch surf. It's a period of time that you always >> have >> to be on your toes and most likely live out of your car. Between short >> seasons, layoffs, etc you need to keep your options open and always be on >> the hunt for new positions if you really want to have work throughout the >> year (it is possible!). >> >> Although frustrating and challenging at times, the process is necessary >> and >> I thought very enjoyable. Once you begin to build on your post-graduation >> experience you will notice interviews will become more common and job >> offerings as well. I found that my experiences took me to places I never >> would have gone before and I was able to see the most beautiful parts of >> this country while being paid. I saw the time I spent working seasonally >> more as an incredible experience than anything. I wouldn't trade those >> times >> for anything. In fact, I kind of wish I was applying for jobs and thinking >> about where I would be this summer instead of sitting at my desk analyzing >> data now! Trade-offs! >> >> Hope this helped a bit, >> >> John Winkowski >> MSc Candidate >> Memorial University of Newfoundland >> >> >> On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 1:36 AM, David Moldoff <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Let me start off by saying that I am in the same boat and hope we both >>> get >>> some worthwhile answers here. I recently graduated and have an internship >>> from April till July but after that I'm completely lost as to what would >>> help my employment chances. I have a few friends with wildlife degrees >>> and >>> the way they have been handling "off season" is by finding a job that >>> pays >>> the bills and then volunteering for wildlife organizations. I know this >>> isn't a great alternative but hopefully other people post some better >>> ideas. >>> >>> David Moldoff >>> >>> On Sat, Feb 12, 2011 at 4:29 PM, Jason Hernandez < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> > I see that the surge of recruiting announcements for the seasonal >>> > technician jobs is underway. It looks like a lot of important and >>> exciting >>> > projects, as I would expect. But it is impossible not to notice the > >>> > time >>> > frame: usually just spring and summer, some only spring or summer. >>> > >>> > I cannot really complain; I am fortunate in that my current job began > >>> > in >>> > January, instead of having to wait for April or May. Still, it does > >>> > end >>> in >>> > July, about the time so many other jobs are also ending. This means I >>> will >>> > have to compete with all those other temporary and seasonal technicians >>> for >>> > my next job. >>> > >>> > Which brings me to my question: what does someone like me do in fall > >>> > and >>> > winter? Granted, based on my current qualifications, someone I work > >>> > with >>> > predicts I could have a permanent position "within two years." But I >>> must >>> > still make a living DURING those two years. What should I be looking > >>> > at >>> now >>> > to maximize my chance of being employed come this fall and next winter? >>> > >>> > Jason Hernandez >>> > Biological Science Technician, USDA Forest Service >>> > >>> > >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to >> everything in the universe." >> >> >> ----- >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3440 - Release Date: 02/12/11 >> > -- Malcolm L. McCallum Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - Allan Nation 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! 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