My experience has been similar to what Chris describes. I am a Ph.D. and am looking to move back home to Seattle. I did my schooling in New York, Indiana and New Orleans and have live in New Orleans for 10 years. Since I have no education experience in Washington State Ecosystems, I am finding it very hard to compete for jobs over there, even though I have demonstrated the ability to learn the ecology and plant life of a variety of regions and ecosystems in the United States. I also have no contacts in Seattle since I have not lived there in so long. It is very difficult to compete with someone who has local or regional knowledge in this case. I have not quite figured out how to remedy this except continue to network as much as possible to make contacts.
Good Luck! Theryn Henkel, Ph.D Assistant Director, Coastal Sustainability Program Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Office: 504-308-3470 Cell: 812-219-4740 www.saveourlake.org On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 5:01 PM, Chris Buddenhagen <[email protected]> wrote: > That may be true for students looking to get into graduate schools, but > for graduates looking for work after a Masters or PhD I think it can have > an influence. For example getting state or federal agency jobs. It is true > for University jobs too - if your record shows you to be a competent > professional working in environments familiar to the committee that has to > help. Social capitol and local biological knowledge mean a lot even though > in theory these skills are largely transferable, e.g. demonstrable > proficiency in using a plant key, quantitative skills, collaboration > ability, effective networking etc. A quick familiarity with local plant and > animal communities and species, or important local issues suggests people > will quickly become productive at the desired level for field work. Also > familiarity with agencies and people - provides the search committees with > the ability to check your skills and reputation by talking to people they > know. Its something to consider when setting up your projects or choosing > your mentors. Also every positive contact and project seen through to > completion is an opportunity and a blessing in itself. Its all about the > narrative you can tell when seeking out an opportunity. Hopefully that > narrative has a enough weight to combat any tendencies toward favoring > local candidates. > > Just my thoughts > > > Chris Buddenhagen > > > Chris Buddenhagen > [email protected] > > On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 2:08 PM, Culley, Theresa (culleyt) < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Angela, >> >> John is correct - I think you received some inaccurate advice. I've seen >> quite the opposite. Often grad programs like to attract non-local students >> because it enhances their reputation on the national stage. In addition, >> many advisors recommend that their undergrads go elsewhere for grad school >> (if they are able) to experience a wider breadth of experience. So I would >> recommend that you keep trying. >> >> Sincerely, >> Theresa Culley >> Professor >> Dept. Biological Sciences >> University of Cincinnati >> >> >> On Feb 22, 2016, at 12:36 PM, Long, John A <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> Hi Angela, >> >> >> >> I think you have heard wrong. Most places that I’m familiar with have >> little issue with students being out of state. This might be more of an >> issue for out-of country applicants when funding is designated for >> nationals. >> >> >> >> John A. Long, PhD >> >> Assistant Professor, Computational Biology >> >> Northern State University >> >> Aberdeen, SD 57401 >> >> 605-626-2629 >> >> >> >> *From:* Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [ >> mailto:[email protected] <[email protected]>] *On Behalf >> Of *Angela Trenkle >> *Sent:* Monday, February 22, 2016 9:35 AM >> *To:* [email protected] >> *Subject:* Overcoming the Location Hump for Out of State Jobs/Graduate >> Studies >> >> >> >> Hello everyone, >> >> I am looking into employment/graduate school out of state. I was >> wondering if anyone had any suggestions/words of advice on how to overcome >> the location hump (I have heard that a lot of places will dismiss you >> immediately upon seeing that you are not a local). Is it impossible? How >> can it be done? Thanks! >> >> -Angela >> >> >
