Summer is a key time for aspiring wildlife biologists. To be successful in this career, you need experience. Most wildlife biologists conduct their field work in the summer when professors don’t have to teach and students don’t have to take courses. Therefore, summer is a key time to gain experience.

But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced biologists to cancel their field work and stay home. It forced museums, nonprofits, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries to shut down, most of which are still closed. So what are aspiring wildlife biologists supposed to do?

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This is exactly what one of my instagram followers asked me:

Is there anything I can do online or virtually to build up my experience?

Yes, I believe there are two things you can do to directly build up your experience and 1 tip that is essential for your career success (#3).

In this podcast I go over these three tips:

1. Citizen science: How to find a program and if you should put it on your resume

This strategy worked for Jeffrey Hunter who started his wildlife career at 40. Listen to his interview here.

2. Become a naturalist

3. Learn about the jobs you want right now using my Job Tracker

Need more help? “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know” is now available.

Or listen on Apple, Spotify, or Google podcasts.

Blog Posts and Resources Mentioned

Download the Job Tracker:

I created the Job Tracker to help you notice the jobs you are actually interested in as well as keep track of how often the become available and the skills you need for them.

Find citizen science projects on SciStarter

Becoming a Wildlife Biologist: FAQs Answered by a Wildlife Biologist

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