Hello all, I just wanted to say that I appreciate this discussion, as I too am a seasonal technician who often asks the same question. Only reversed! I work as a Hydrologic Technician in the rainy season on the west coast. For the USFS as well. I can't currently seem to beat the other candidates in getting into a year-round, even term position. So I am continually in the job search. Based on my experience though I have no problem finding work in the winter. I guess if your interests and experience are broad enough, you could possibly collect hydrologic data or look into salmon monitoring work. In the meantime, myself, I realize it rains year round somewhere, and there are always water quality issues to be monitored, so I am just trying to keep the amount of stuff I own small enough to fit in my hatchback. And continually online, looking for jobs. I guess the not so hidden message here is that we techs should enjoy our freedom. And avoid buying houses. Brian Storms USFS Hydrologic Technician, 3 winters, 1 summer and counting
--- On Mon, 2/14/11, Emily Orling <[email protected]> wrote: From: Emily Orling <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] What do technicians do in the "off" season? To: [email protected] Date: Monday, February 14, 2011, 11:47 AM Jason and all, I've seen some really good advice posted in the past few days for seasonal techs figuring out what to do for the off-season. Someone mentioned working in the desert... that was a strategy I made great use of. I was always able to get at least two (sometimes 3) seasonal jobs in per year, one in spring and summer working in the mountains, and a winter job in the desert. I also found that while I wasn't exactly making a ton of money in any of these jobs, I didn't have many expenditures either, and was able to do quite a bit of travel in between jobs. I spend a few months in New Zealand playing Ultimate Frisbee one year; spent about a month backpacking in the Yucatan, and another stint car camping in Baja... I know it's a luxury not everyone can afford, but if you can, I would highly recommend taking time to travel (and try and get some international conservation volunteering in while traveling). Now that I'm not a seasonal anymore, there's NO WAY I could take 6 weeks off for a road trip. The seasonal lifestyle afforded me a degree of freedom few get to take advantage of. My mother was not impressed. Emily Orling > Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:13 -0500 > From: [email protected] > Subject: ECOLOG-L Digest - 12 Feb 2011 to 13 Feb 2011 (#2011-44) > To: [email protected] > > There are 15 messages totalling 1123 lines in this issue. > > Topics of the day: > > 1. What do technicians do in the "off" season? (11) > 2. post-doc position for macroecologist/landscape ecologist at Cornell Lab >of > Ornithology > 3. faculty position: water sustainability > 4. Japanese translation of 'Beginner's guide to R' > 5. MS opportunity: Biogeochemistry University of Alabama > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:01:01 -0500 > From: Zurijanne Kelley <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: What do technicians do in the "off" season? > > Jason, > > I share your same predicament. I completed a technician job this past > September and who knows how many jobs I've applied to. For me though one of > the things I've done to make it through the time (partly because student > loans required that I do something) was to go to a temp agency. After that > temp job, completely unrelated to my schooling, I started volunteering at a > wildlife rehab center and with the humane society. Partly, for my sanity and > also to demonstrate that I'm active in the wildlife field and quite serious > about a career. > > Through volunteering I was offered a part time job whose boss works with me > so that I can still volunteer (since she is a rehabber with the lady I > volunteer for) and it helps pay the gas. One of the biggest things I've been > able to do is network. For me Twitter has served as a platform that I can be > exposed to a vast array of current events in conservation via blogs and news > media essentially making contact with professionals/organizations I wouldn't > have otherwise. I'm also taking Wendee Holtcamp's nature writing course to > further skills in writing for my own blog, and burgeoning freelance writing > career. Lastly, it has served as a great time to work on improving my KSA, > resume, and cover letters with every application sent out. > > I'm not an established professional and I look forward to hearing what > others recommend but seek out ways to increase your skills by considering > the area you want to improve the most. Continue to apply to jobs as they pop > up and don't disqualify yourself unless you are absolutely certain you don't > qualify. Consider applying to unrelated career jobs the closer it comes to > the end of your job term just so that job can serve as a cushion until you > get an offer. > > > Zuri Kelley > Clemson University Alumni 2009 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jason Hernandez > Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 7:30 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [ECOLOG-L] What do technicians do in the "off" season? > > 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 >
