Can you describe what a "typical" day looks like in your current role?
My work varies with the seasons, and can look like anything from waking up pre-dawn to corral a crew of field technicians for early morning point counts, to starting at R scripts all day modeling the data we collect. Altogether, my days do not look that different from many grad students, and I spend most of my time conducting research projects to inform management in whatever way is most useful.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Getting to see the results of research that has taken many years to conduct actually be implemented by managers is incredibly rewarding. Research is also just constant problem solving, and getting to the end of a complex problem, whether it's coding, statistics, writing structure, or something else, is so satisfying!
How did your time in FWCB prepare you for your career?
All of my major scientific training came from FWCB, and the mentors and peers I interacted with there shaped who I am as a scientist. My quantitative training could not be beat, and having the chance to interact with my future employer throughout grad school gave me opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise had.
What advice would you give to current or future FWCB students who want to pursue a career similar to yours?
Shape your relationships with potential employers early and often! Your cohort of current students will become your future colleagues, so take the time to nurture friendships and collaborate widely. Having the chance to interact with the agency/group you're interested in can open the door for future career options. Also, people want to work with kind, helpful, responsive people, so start cultivating those skills early and know that they often matter far more than quantitative skills, breadth of ecological knowledge, etc. (although those are important too)!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Science is primarily an exercise in perseverance, so keep going and take care of yourselves.