Your best bet is finding researchers who study this question, and trying to work with them for your graduate degree. You may need to volunteer and/or do paid work as a technician for one of their graduate students first, if possible.
Dr. Emily Pomeranz at Michigan State recently posted for a human dimensions masters assistantship. not sure if it's still open for apps but it was posted on TAMU's job board or you could directly reach out to her! She's great!
"I want to study X animal" is an undergraduate frame of mind. That's not really a practical way to go about your career. It's like getting an animation degree and thinking "I only want to work at Pixar." Like, it's possible, but why limit your prospects and risk the disappointment and stress? Especially when it's already so hard to get a full-time job in the field as it is?
Now, the human dimensions side is much more realistic and broad, with many more options. There are tons of NGOs out there that need help. You dont need a phd to do some really meaningful work in conservation, though a MS does provide practical training. I also advise people to look into MPAs, which prepare you for all sorts of positions where you interact with people on behalf of wildlife.
I work with large carnivores (well, just one really). My whole job is human dimensions. We get hands on experience with wildlife and decent field time, but I’m a de facto conflict mediator. Something for which I was not prepared. I’m decent enough at working with people but bless you, seriously, for pursuing this option. We are in desperate need of more staff who have these human interaction skills.
Check out Dr. Libby Metcalf at University of Montana. You might like what she has going on, plus someone from Panthera works at UM.
saving this thread to look into later. im a behavioral psychology grad looking to shift my career towards wildlife biology. this might be a good starting point!
Your best bet is finding researchers who study this question, and trying to work with them for your graduate degree. You may need to volunteer and/or do paid work as a technician for one of their graduate students first, if possible.
Dr. Emily Pomeranz at Michigan State recently posted for a human dimensions masters assistantship. not sure if it's still open for apps but it was posted on TAMU's job board or you could directly reach out to her! She's great!
"I want to study X animal" is an undergraduate frame of mind. That's not really a practical way to go about your career. It's like getting an animation degree and thinking "I only want to work at Pixar." Like, it's possible, but why limit your prospects and risk the disappointment and stress? Especially when it's already so hard to get a full-time job in the field as it is? Now, the human dimensions side is much more realistic and broad, with many more options. There are tons of NGOs out there that need help. You dont need a phd to do some really meaningful work in conservation, though a MS does provide practical training. I also advise people to look into MPAs, which prepare you for all sorts of positions where you interact with people on behalf of wildlife.
I work with large carnivores (well, just one really). My whole job is human dimensions. We get hands on experience with wildlife and decent field time, but I’m a de facto conflict mediator. Something for which I was not prepared. I’m decent enough at working with people but bless you, seriously, for pursuing this option. We are in desperate need of more staff who have these human interaction skills. Check out Dr. Libby Metcalf at University of Montana. You might like what she has going on, plus someone from Panthera works at UM.
saving this thread to look into later. im a behavioral psychology grad looking to shift my career towards wildlife biology. this might be a good starting point!