Free online training for those interested in careers in wildlife, ecology, zoology, and conservation:
Discover How to Write Resumes and
Cover Letters That Actually
GET YOU INTERVIEWS
Write Winning Wildlife Job Applications is a FREE training based on a proven framework (keep scrolling for testimonials) developed by wildlife biologist, Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), Ph.D., on how you can write resumes and cover letters that get you interviews TODAY… and without having to pay for expensive experiences abroad, applying for hundreds of jobs a year, or knowing the right people.
You likely don’t need more or lots of experience to get your career started… You just need to apply for the RIGHT jobs and demonstrate to employers what you already have to write wildlife job applications that get you interviews and jobs.
If you aren’t ready to apply for jobs yet – it doesn’t matter. Start TODAY. What you’ll learn in this Write Winning Wildlife Job Applications will help you know what kinds of skills are important for you to gain in your volunteer positions and internships – and also help you get those opportunities as well!
You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute hours before a job application is due trying to remember everything you did for your resume. Get started now.
“I graduated in 2020 and struggled to get any simple seasonal field jobs – even volunteer positions. I didn’t work in the wildlife field for a year. Stephanie gave me specific advice on my cover letters and resumes. After a few months, I am now starting my first job as a Biological Science Tech position with the USFWS.”
– Rachel Smith
“Stephanie’s resume/cover letter module helped me get the interview. I seriously cannot believe that I got my dream job! I was getting close to giving up on the field for a bit, but it only took one person to give me a chance after an interview and everything changed.”
– Lisa S. (Name has been changed)
“About two weeks ago I was notified by a friend that her place of employment was hiring, so I put in my application. The director got back to me that same day and set up the interview for the next day, as I was off of work. This morning she contacted me to let me know they would like to hire me for a full-time position starting in January. I am beyond excited for this opportunity! Thank you Stephanie for helping me fix up my resume and cover letter. It helped me gain confidence in myself to apply for this job.”
– Allison P. (name has been changed)
“I officially accepted the position yesterday! I have to thank you because I’ve used all the advice I got from you on writing cover letters and resumes…My interviewer was able to see from my resume (that improved immensely after you looked it over) that I had a strong fieldwork background… In my first interview they began the call by stating how they really liked the way I wrote my cover letter…I was selected out of nearly 200 applicants, some of whom had years of communications experience! I’m feeling very grateful and excited about this opportunity.”
– Nicole B. (name has been changed)
Who am I to tell you this?
My name is Stephanie, a lifelong animal lover and fashion-loving wildlife biologist (hence my nickname the Fancy Scientist).
Having been a first generation college and Ph.D. graduate, I am no stranger to hard work. In fact, my dad always told me to “work with my brain and not my back.” But I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a career. I had no idea “wildlife biologist” was even a career option.
During college, I started pursuing a career in acting and studied biology as a backup so I could become a medical doctor if acting didn’t work out. I was scared of the intense competition, financial risk, and job insecurity that came with the acting world.
My brother randomly suggested that I study abroad and I took him up on it. When searching for programs, I was drawn to one on wildlife management in Kenya amongst the pile of theater program brochures – it seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I took a leap of faith and went.
I was so relieved when I discovered my DREAM career there: wildlife biologist. Upon returning, I dove into this new career path head first.
I worked extremely hard to gain research experience at three internships. I applied to and got into graduate school, worked my butt off for my Ph.D., and worked for seven years as a postdoc on prestigious research projects around the world. By the end of my postdoc, I had nearly 20 publications.
On and off after graduating with my Ph.D., I applied for permanent jobs, focusing on getting one where I now lived in Raleigh, NC. I became good at getting interviews – about ⅓ of my applications – but every time I was close to being offered the position, there was someone just a little bit more qualified than me. When talking to my colleagues who were also applying to jobs, I knew I wasn’t alone as they had the same story as me.
The worst part was, I did everything right! I had multiple publications. I wrote and received grants. I had a good network. After multiple rejections (and many tears), I started to learn it wasn’t my fault.
The field changed fast – in fact, I saw it change with my own eyes over the course of my graduate experience. With more B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. graduates, it was more competitive than ever, and I realized the advice I was given was out of date. In fact, the wildlife biology job market looked remarkably similar to the acting one I was so relieved to leave.
From each rejection though, I learned exactly where I needed more experience and became obsessed with helping the students I was mentoring avoid the same mistakes. Now I know exactly where I went wrong for the jobs I wanted. I was both under-qualified for some jobs I wanted while my Ph.D. overqualified for others.
I wrote blog posts on my experience because everyone I knew was feeling the same way, but no one was talking about it. My blog posts reached tens of thousands of people and I realized SO MANY of them needed this help. I even wrote the book “Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know.”
Today…
I used what I learned from being on the job market to teach students what I wish my mentors told me. I help aspiring wildlife biologists identify, become competitive for, and ultimately get their dream job.
Besides having been where you are, I have:
- A B.A. (2003), 3 internships, a Ph.D. (2012), and 7 years of postdocs in the government, zoos, museums, academia, and alongside nonprofits
- 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications across topics in in animal behavior, mammal communities, predator-prey relationships, non-invasive genetics, satellite telemetry, social science, and citizen science – full CV here
- Study species and systems across four continents (I’m an expert in forest elephants!)
- Multiple appearances as a science expert on national television shows on the Science and History Channels.
- A large professional network (500+ connections on LinkedIn) and social following (15K across platforms)
Experience on large, collaborative open access projects with prestigious organizations like the Smithsonian
I am also…
- VERY down to earth and relatable even though I have worked with some of the best scientists in my field and have a Ph.D.
- An advocate for mental health, work-life balance, and not defining yourself by your career
- Open about my own career and personal struggles including battling depression and overcoming a severe case of impostor syndrome
- A lover of coaching, self improvement books and courses, and am constantly working to improve myself or make things more efficient
- Optimistic – not naturally – but through years of working on myself using practices from neuroscience
FUN! I love to laugh, and do not take life too seriously
What this means is…
I genuinely care about you and understand the struggles you are going through which is why I create free trainings like Write Winning Wildlife Job Applications. I was never the smartest student, but I worked hard and at my core, believed in myself. I believe anyone can become competitive for wildlife jobs once they really understand the job and themselves.
I have helped people get real jobs in this competitive job market.
Together, we can make your dream job become a reality, transforming you from defeated job applicant to thriving wildlife professional making a genuine impact in the world.
Don't wait any longer
Get Write Winning Wildlife Job Applications
For FREE and get started today so that you can get your dream job in wildlife, ecology, zoology, or conservation.
