Bugs&Stuff

We're back! Sorry for the long break (explained in episode), but today we're coming back with informations about bugs that care for their babies, eat their boyfriends, spread disease, and ruin your car. I promise that will make more sense when you listen to it. Thanks for your patience during our break! We hope you enjoy this episode! For more fun, visit our blog at bugsandstuffpod.wordpress.com!

On the flip side of the Bugs&Stuff team, this week we have an update on my time lately and my new start in the PhD program. Expect more updates from that end as well for our grad school listeners! Enjoy!

Welcome back! Today we're catching up with Caitlin and FINALLY learning all about her new job at RiseVT!

Welcome to the bug highlight! This time we're talking about Dobsonflies! Large, fascinating bugs that are in no way related to flies. They're crazy looking at all stages, but really important to the health of our fast moving streams! Take a listen to find out more then definitely visit our blog to see pictures at bugsandstuffpod.wordpress.com!

In case you haven't guess already (by the numerous hints in our other episodes and quite a few tweets), I'm going back to school for my PhD! This was a decision I've been struggling with for about 2 years, but ultimately I could not get a job teaching college students with only a Masters. It stinks, but I know I have the passion and drive to pursue this new degree and get my dream job. Shout out to Caitlin for listening to me going back and forth on this decision for the past 2 years. I can't wait to share this journey with you all! Let us know if you're a fellow grad students or someone interested in grad school so we know how much of this new path we should share on the podcast. It certainly will not replace our buggy fun, but we have shared things about our Master's in the past and it might be helpful to some if I do so for the PhD as well!

Side note: In the few days after recording this episode (because we actually recorded early for once!), I read some blogs and watched a few videos from people who had a terribly pessimistic view on PhD's and academia. I understand that the job market is over saturated with PhD's, that it's really hard to get a job in academia, and that many argue the high education system is broken right now. This is something I've taken into account when making my decision to return to school. However, for me I have a passion for teaching college students and knowing that they're not always being treated the best makes me want to teach them more. Regardless of how "broken" the system may be, if those of us who see that immediately back off and change their careers/dreams, then no one is left to fix the situation. Our students are the future and they deserve the education they're paying so much for. I'm optimistic about my ability to help make my future courses, at the very least, a worth while opportunity for my students. I'm looking forward to my next four years learning more and working towards my goal!

In this episode Caitlin asks the tough questions that I struggle to answer. It involves self-reflection, advice, and a lot of thought. So, take a listen, share your career paths with us, and maybe push yourself to explore something new! If you want to chat with us, you can always reach us at [email protected] or on social media @bugsandstuffpod. Thanks for listening!

Hey! We're in the same room and bringing you an important episode talking about how to get grants and why you should always try for them. There's no shame in failing, and not every grant application you write will be funded, but it's an important experience! Also, if you are successful, the reward is amazing! Caitlin gives us unique insight on how she helps people get grants and I tell you about finding grants for projects outside of academia, but of course, we also reminisce on our time in graduate school applying for grants. We hope this episode helps you and encourages you! Best of luck with your applications!

Welcome to our bug highlight! This the highly requested (by one Apple Podcast reviewer) the teddy bear of all spiders: THE JUMPING SPIDER!! This was a really fun episode, and exactly what we needed after being sick last week! We hope you enjoy it and learn about all the weird, totally adorable things jumping spiders do in their lives. If you have a bug highlight request, let us know on twitter, facebook, podcast review, or email!

In this episode, Caitlin shares some cool views on eradicating mosquitos! Is it a good idea? A bad idea? Who knows! Listen to form your own opinions!

In this episode, Caitlin and I celebrate our birthdays by talking about bugs in the movies! We missed a lot of the giant bug horror movies growing up, but we still have a lot of children's bug movies to discuss! Have a favorite bug movie? Let us know so we can watch it! email: [email protected], twitter&facebook: @bugsandstuffpod. For more fun, check out our blog at bugsandstuffpod.wordpress.com