Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka

How do you actually make your wildlife career happen when you feel like you’ve missed your window? You got the degree, maybe even got some temporary jobs here and there, but you felt like you weren’t getting traction. Or couldn’t see how it could all come together. And time just keeps ticking away…

That’s exactly how my former Successful Wildlife Professional student, Makeela Magomolla, was feeling before she joined my group mentoring program. Even though she was young at 25, the world was taken over by a pandemic, halting opportunities for young wildlife professionals left and right, and she felt powerless to move forward in her wildlife career and contribute to making a difference in the world. But in this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, you’ll discover how we turned that around for her!

After graduating in 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic, when the world shut down, Makeela found herself in a lab job, feeling like she had missed her chance and questioning if she was “too old” for a wildlife career. Today, she is a Master’s student leading acoustic surveys and collaborating directly with state DNR biologists on the animals she is most passionate about: bats.

Through our conversation, you’ll learn how Makeela moved out of a “dark space” by taking the advice to be intentional. She didn’t just wait for luck; she went on a “rampage” to find opportunities. You’ll learn how she started to make things happen for her: she volunteered in wildlife rehabilitation and reached out to a campus group called the “Bat Brigade” that had been dormant since the pandemic. She even took the preemptive step of paying for her own rabies vaccinations, an expensive and painful preventative needed for bat work, to ensure she was ready for any hands-on opportunity that came her way.

You’ll hear how Makeela mastered networking through cold emailing professionals she wanted to work with and learn from. Despite being shy using the methods and templates provided in the Successful Wildlife Professional program, she reached out to graduate students, professors, and other researchers.She even connected with a former podcast guest of mine, Dr. Seth Magle, which led to an introduction that helped her find a graduate advisor and a project she truly cared about.

The results of her networking were so effective, that when she was invited to an important meeting with bat specialists in the area, she realized that she already had met everyone in the room prior! Her dedication even led to a generous donation from a sponsor, allowing her to start her first semester of graduate school while she applied for teaching assistantships.

Makeela shares the details of her Master’s research, which includes analyzing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources data sets, tracking rehabilitated bats post-release, and studying the effectiveness of community science as a tool in wildlife research, as well as the importance of science communication and getting the community involved in nature right where they live.

You’ll walk away from Makeela’s story excited about what is possible when you decide to be intentional about your career path. Makeela proves that even when you are at your “wits’ end,” small shifts in mindset, strategy, and more led her to incredible results!

Finally, after the interview, I break down the main points Makeela covered and how you can apply them to your own career, including the importance of mindset, why you should lead with the job you want rather than the degree, and how to build a community in this field, no matter your background.

Specifically, we talk about:

• Makeela’s detailed journey from a 2020 pandemic graduate to her first week as a Master’s student
• How she handled the “quarter-life crisis” and the feeling of powerlessness when job opportunities were unavailable
• Why she chose to be intentional about specializing in bats after a senior project and an experience in Rwanda
• How she revitalized the “Bat Brigade” on campus and transitioned from a volunteer to a leader of the program – even after she graduated from college and was no longer a student!
• How a cold email to a podcast guest resulted in an introduction to her current graduate advisor
• The way her networking efforts connected her with state DNR biologists and the local wildlife rehabilitation community
• The story of how a sponsor provided a donation that let her start her Master’s research.
• The elements of her research, including acoustic data analysis, post-rehab tagging, the social science of community science, and more
• Her perspective on being a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) professional in the field and the value of groups like BIPOC birding organizations
• How she integrated her interests by joining working groups and following labs on social media to find opportunities
• Why she shifted from wanting to work abroad to finding value in investing in the community and wildlife of the Midwest
• And MORE!

Jump links:

01:13 Meet Mikayla And Big Lessons

04:34 Early Passion For Wildlife

05:55 Pandemic Graduation Detour

09:23 Quarter Life Crisis

11:05 Choosing Bats On Purpose

14:30 Bat Brigade Leadership

17:22 Networking Into Grad School

23:40 Funding And TA Path

25:59 Masters Project Overview

29:45 Citizen Science Impact

30:36 Career Goals and Tanzania

32:08 Local Nature Appreciation

36:19 Gorillas and Wildlife Highlights

40:20 Being BIPOC Outdoors

44:29 Networking and Cold Emails

48:23 Host Recap and Resources

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-151-makeela-magomolla/

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Christina Weber did what most aspiring wildlife professionals think is impossible: she got every single offer she applied to with absolutely NO EXPERIENCE! How did she do it? That’s what this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast is all about. 

After listening to this episode, I know you’ll walk away inspired, ready to take action, and make things happen in your career so that you can work towards having a real impact on the species that need our help.

I invited my former Successful Wildlife Professional student, Christina Weber, to come on the podcast because I have been so impressed by all the success she has achieved despite having no wildlife or environmental experience to get her foot in the door. When Christina began in the program, she was running a dog-walking business and had volunteered with horses, and needed help breaking into wildlife, conservation, or environmental work. Now she is working on a NASA-funded project and getting ready to start a summer internship at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC!

Throughout our conversation, you’ll learn exactly what Christina did to gain traction fast in her career. She took the program’s advice and ran with it. And it WORKED. It worked so well that I honestly can’t believe her results! 

She took experience into her own hands and started with citizen and community science (including regularly conducting eBird surveys). She took advantage of and attended one-off hands-on volunteer opportunities such as beach cleanups, seal monitoring, and horseshoe crab monitoring to start somewhere and meet people in the field.

You’ll hear how Christina maximized opportunities to network, including creating her own connections by cold emailing professionals with the templates provided in the Successful Wildlife Professional program, even though she describes herself as shy and introverted. Her networking efforts led to referrals, informational conversations, and REAL job opportunities.

The results were incredible: Christina applied to four seasonal positions over the summer and was offered every one of them. She was even offered an AZA-accredited aquarium internship that she didn’t apply for! The employer received her resume through a cold email and decided to put it in the internship pile! Christina was shocked when she received a call asking if she wanted to interview.

Christina shares that now she’s conducting research through a NASA-funded New Jersey Space Grant Consortium project on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine copepods. She explains how she designed a project connected to her ultimate goal of working with whales by studying what whales eat. When facing obstacles, she didn’t let anything stop her, and she describes being “scrappy” in her community college setting by building equipment, culturing phytoplankton, and managing the costs and logistics of an ambitious project.

We also talk about how much wildlife work involves working with people. Christina was even able to bring her past dog-walking experience into her wildlife work! She shares that she educated dog owners on responsible beach behavior around endangered piping plovers, using common ground from her dog walking business to communicate conservation messages effectively.

After the interview, I offer you take-home points that you can apply right away to your own situation right now, no matter who you are, including how to volunteer without giving up your whole life or going into debt, using citizen/community science to build legitimate experience, get on LinkedIn strategically, and focus on quality over quantity in your job applications.

If you ever thought you couldn’t do something because you didn’t have enough experience, go to the right school, or know the right people, Christina is living proof that you can do it on your own! There are NO excuses!

Specifically, we talk about:

• Christina’s exact steps from being a dog-walking business owner to working on a NASA-funded research project
• Why citizen and community science (like eBird surveys) can be a powerful way to build a real wildlife experience
• Simple ways to gain hands-on exposure through short-term volunteer opportunities, such as beach or river cleanups, restoration projects, or other community service days
• How strategic networking and cold emailing professionals can open doors, even if you’re shy or introverted
• How Christina used networking to get referrals, informational interviews, and unexpected job opportunities
• Why she received job offers from every seasonal wildlife position she applied for
• The surprising story of how she was offered an AZA-accredited aquarium internship she never applied for!
• An overview of her research on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine copepods through a NASA-funded project
• How she designed her research to align with her long-term goal of working with whales by studying their food sources
• How she stayed resourceful in a community college setting by building equipment, culturing phytoplankton, and managing research logistics
• Why communication and working with people are a major part of wildlife careers
• Practical advice on volunteering without sacrificing your entire schedule
• How to use LinkedIn strategically to build relationships in the wildlife field
• Why focusing on quality over quantity when applying for jobs can dramatically improve results
• The mindset shift needed to stop waiting for perfect qualifications and start creating opportunities

Jump links:

03:52 Christina’s Nontraditional Start

06:24 First Steps in Wildlife

07:22 Landing Job Offers

10:30 Volunteering That Counts

13:24 Networking for Introverts

16:12 LinkedIn Career Boost

17:49 Cold Email Aquarium Win

19:15 Dream Job and Research Path

21:13 NASA Microplastics Project

27:01 Finding Your Field Fit

29:23 Humbling Field Moments

30:29 Protecting Piping Plovers

31:06 Finding Common Ground

32:28 Career Wins and Strategy

35:01 Horseshoe Crabs and Policy

38:42 Wildlife Moments and Whales

40:13 Program Lessons and Mindset

51:05 Post Interview Takeaways

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-150-christina-weber/

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

I’ve recently gained a lot of new followers, so for this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I wanted to share with you my vast experience that I’ve had working as a wildlife biologist for nearly twenty years, so that you can fully understand what this field is like.

My career has taken me all over the world, and I’ve been on all different kinds of adventures: from hiking the deserts of Utah to the top of Mount Kenya, and from flour beetles to forest elephants. I have worked across four different continents and in almost every type of organization that you can think of: the government, zoos, museums, universities, and alongside nonprofits.

In this episode, I break down each one of the positions that I have had in the past, telling you what they’re like and what I did, but more importantly, how I felt about the position emotionally, mentally, and what it did for my career.

This is a comprehensive, yet fun overview of my journey. It’s you and me hanging out, sharing the raw reality of these different places, so you can see the truth behind the resume. I do not shy away from discussing real challenges, like navigating toxic work environments and the “sink or swim” nature of graduate research. Chances are, you’ll find it refreshing how I don’t hold back, but also share how I pulled through.

I started my wildlife career officially in 2003 when I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree. My first position was an internship with the Bureau of Land Management in St. George, Utah, where I searched for water catchments to help wildlife combat drought and started some preliminary bat research in the Grand Canyon. This got me started in my wildlife career, but this was a challenging internship, and I almost quit!

I’m so glad I didn’t because that experience led me to a dream internship at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where I worked in a glass-walled lab doing endocrine research on the captive animals there, including African savanna elephants and the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin monkey. This was a total 180 from my experience in the desert! I loved Disney World and spent my days catching tamarin poop and helping to monitor elephant pregnancies. It was a supportive environment that showed me how much I loved combining science with outreach.

From there, my journey took me to Kenya as an intern for the School for Field Studies, which was also enriching but challenging. Again, I almost quit! But here I showed that I could work at a field station internationally long-term, which was a major flex for my upcoming Ph.D. research. It also gave me the invaluable experience of publishing.

My Kenya internship led me into a six-and-a-half-year Ph.D. program studying African forest elephants in Gabon. I loved my Ph.D., but each step was a mix of incredible highs like observing wild elephants for months on end in Central Africa and the lows of being lonely in a field station or figuring out how to do something that has never been done before! Here, I fully understood what scientific research was really all about.

This episode is a must-listen to one if you are interested in going into wildlife fields, want to get to know me better, or are just curious to know what it’s like to be a wildlife biologist!

Specifically, we go over:

• How I landed my first “legit” field internship with the Bureau of Land Management in Utah and why it was so hard on me
• The inside scoop on working at a world-class zoo and in Disney World, being a Reproductive Biology intern, including what it’s like to catch cotton-top tamarin poop and monitor elephant pregnancies
• What it’s like to live in Kenya for a year, and in a remote field station
• Navigating toxic work environments and almost quitting more than once
• How I got my first scientific publications
• A brief overview of my research on forest elephants in Gabon, the “sink or swim” reality of graduate school, and why I considered dropping down to a Master’s
• How to study “disgust” in raccoons and why I drove around looking for roadkill carcasses
• My seven-year postdoc at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, running global camera trap projects, and the birth of “The Fancy Scientist”
• How these 17 years of experience led me to leave the traditional research path to start my own business in science communication and career mentoring
• Other fun experiences, like seeing a tiger in the wild or watching a leatherback turtle lay eggs
• And MORE!
• 
  

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🐾 Get my FREE Job Tracker: https://stephanieschuttler.com/job-tracker/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/149-my-wildlife-career/

Jump links:

01:37 First Field Internship

08:09 Loneliness and Resilience

11:57 Disney Internship Begins

14:20 Repro Lab and Zoo Science

20:44 Wildlife Surveys and Extras

24:43 Career Tips and Perks

27:45 Kenya Internship Overview

29:32 Field Cred and Publications

33:07 Tourism Research in Kenya

34:51 East Africa Travels

35:20 Almost Quitting Kenya

40:04 Publishing Initiative

42:52 PhD Ups and Downs

44:55 PhD Research Reality

53:07 PhD Advice

54:38 Raccoon Disgust Postdoc

59:44 Museum Postdoc Dream Job

01:01:16 Camera Traps in Classrooms

01:04:43 Global Expansion and Expeditions

01:07:39 Wildlife Insights AI

01:08:23 Final Career Takeaways

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Normally when I do an interview for the Fancy Scientist podcast, it’s me interviewing a guest. But for this week’s episode, I’m flipping the script and the guest is….yours truly: Me!!

You see, last year I was interviewed by my friend and fellow podcaster Andrew Lewin, who hosts the How to Protect the Ocean Podcast. Because I had such a great time chatting with him and my audience has grown so much recently, I thought It would be a great opportunity for you to get to know me more so that you can learn about how I got to where I am today and learn from my experiences and path from traditional research scientist to online business owner in content creation for wildlife careers and science, conservation, and nature education.  

I have a very unconventional career path with many unexpected twists and turns. For the first 17 years of my career, I went about this career through the traditional research route, but even this choice itself was unexpected. To be honest, I didn’t even know wildlife biology was a viable career path until I took a study abroad program in Kenya focused on wildlife management. You’ll learn how I stumbled upon this program and why I chose it. From there I participated in multiple internships, got a Ph.D. studying forest elephants, and had multiple postdocs. 

Andrew and I get real about what it’s like to have a lasting career in this field. I talk about the hardships of trying to find a permanent position while working to stay in a place that I loved (Raleigh, North Carolina) and navigating an oversaturated wildlife job market. I truly was shocked by how few permanent jobs I was truly qualified for, how closely job experience needs to match job descriptions, and how competitive the field is, even for people with PhDs. I was told I would not be pigeon-holed, but I was. 

We spend some time discussing the competitiveness of this career and what I teach students: that finding clarity, being strategic about experience and networking, and improving job applications, are the keys to success through a proven framework that I’ve now tested with dozens of students. 

I thought I was going to be a researcher for life, but my journey took me in another direction. The difficulties I had in landing a permanent job after my Ph.D. combined with the science communication experiences from years of postdocing at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences opened my eyes to my true fashion: science communication and career mentoring.

I decided to do this through entrepreneurship - something I never thought I would do! As a young girl, I grew up watching my dad run his jewelry business and never wanted that for myself, but over time I realized that I could only have the impact I wanted on conservation and the natural world through opening my own business. Andrew and I have an honest discussion about what it takes to run a business in this field, including the financial pressures and mindset. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business or side hustle, which I truly believe is something anyone can do in this field, and to be honest should do, this episode is for you. You’ll get my advice on how to get started and earn revenue by teaching your expertise in science and nature fields (or any other area of expertise!). 

As podcasters, Andrew and I are both passionate about science communication and we take a deep dive into how to effectively communicate science with the public. We talk about how my work at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, blogging, and public speaking, led me to recognize how much conservation solutions ultimately came down to reaching people and not through studying a species or its habitat (this is important, but not what it going to solve most conservation problems). I realized through studying a critically endangered species that no amount of research on this animal would save this species - rather, the solutions were all economic, political, or related to education. Getting others to care or have behavioral change would have a more profound impact on conservation for most problems and this was a big motivation for my career change.

Finally, Andrew and I discussed my work on TV shows, including how I first appeared on Science Channel’s What on Earth through a professional connection, and then later joined History Channel’s The Proof Is Out There after producers found my YouTube video explaining why “black panthers” aren’t present in the U.S. I go over what it’s like to prepare for filming a television, how often it happens, and what I’ve learned about what audiences find fascinating when it comes to wildlife and nature, like bigfoot and other cryptids - a total surprise to me! 

Whether you are a new friend here to the podcast or a longtime listener, this is a really great episode to get a behind the scenes look at what I do professionally, as well as what it's like to be both a researcher working many different kinds of jobs in the wildlife profession. 

More specifically, I reveal:

• How I went from a straight career path of wildlife research to founding and running my own business
• Why a Kenya study abroad was a pivotal moment for me when I realized wildlife biology was a real career
• My Ph.D. research on forest elephant social behavior and using non-invasive genetics from their poop to study social structure
• How saturated and competitive wildlife conservation jobs are, even with a Ph.D.
• Why alignment between your experience and the job posting matters so much
• The biggest reasons people don’t get interviews (and what to change in applications)
• How investing in yourself can affect follow-through and results
• How I started my own business in 2020 and ways you can generate revenue through an online business
• What it’s like to do science communication on TV and how I landed roles on the Science, History, and Discovery channels
• How being a scientist is similar to being an entrepreneur
• My advice for anyone considering a side hustle or online business
• And MORE!

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/148-stephanie-manka-wildlife-career/

Jump links:

00:43 What You’ll Learn: From Researcher to Small Business Owner + TV & Bigfoot

06:39 Stephanie’s Origin Story: Business Owner Dad, Acting Dreams, Biology Backup

08:47 The Kenya Study-Abroad That Sparked a Wildlife Biology Career

12:21 PhD & Postdocs: Forest Elephants, Job-Market Reality Check, and Not Wanting to Move

15:28 Pivot to Science Communication: Blogging, Museum Work, and Going Full-Time

16:41 Do You Miss Research? Impact, Education, and the ‘People Problem’ in Conservation

19:31 Starting the LLC in 2020: Ads, Programs, Book Income, and Making It Work

26:22 Wildlife Careers Are Saturated: Clarity, Strategy, Networking, and Strong Applications

32:20 Paid Help vs DIY: Free Resources, Resume Reviews, and Why Investing Changes Commitment

38:48 Creating a Supportive Mentoring Space in a Tough Science Culture

45:09 From YouTube to History Channel: Landing TV Science Communication Gigs

49:00 What TV Taught Me: Curiosity, Cryptids, and Explaining the Unknown

52:26 What’s Next: Refocusing on Science Communication + Kids/Nature Programs

57:24 One Big Business Tip: Teach What You Know and Start Small Online

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Making observations in nature isn’t just about what we see. Scientists use (almost) all of their senses to make observations, and in this video, we are focusing on the sense of touch. After exploring nature through sight, sound, and smell, it’s now time to focus on the textures of nature and discover how different plants, surfaces, and organisms actually feel. Make sure to watch the ENTIRE video and read ALL of the text here for best practices for you and wildlife, as well as helpful apps to identify organisms.

In this activity, I challenge you to head outside and search for as many different textures as you can find in nature. Can you find something rough like bark? Soft like moss? Fuzzy, smooth, or prickly? Even in wintertime, you'll find lots of different textures to explore!

IMPORTANT: Before touching anything, make sure you know what wildlife in your area could be harmful, such as poison ivy or venomous animals. If you’re ever unsure about an organism, don’t touch it.

Some organisms may surprise you! For instance, I talk about the cup plant, which has leaves that feel like tough sandpaper.

Even in wintertime, you'll find lots of different textures to explore!

IMPORTANT: Before touching anything, make sure you know what wildlife in your area could be harmful, such as poison ivy or venomous animals. If you’re ever unsure about an organism, don’t touch it. Tools like the Seek by iNaturalist app can assist with identifications through their built-in AI system. 

IMPORTANT: When it comes to animals, completely avoid touching mammals and birds, as this can harm them. Some amphibians, reptiles, and insects may be handled carefully if they are safe and non-venomous, and any animal you handle should be handled minimally and released afterward to reduce stress on the animal. Wear gloves when handling amphibians to protect their sensitive skin.

Observing nature through touch and the other senses helps kids slow down and mindfully engage with their surroundings. I invite you to ask your children to reflect not only on WHAT they feel, but HOW they feel. For instance, how does being in nature make your child feel? Calm? Curious? Excited? 

Join us as we step outside, explore textures, and practice observing the natural world with fresh curiosity!

Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.

Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 

🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:

👉 Seek app: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Resources mentioned in this video:

👉 Seek app: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/147-touch

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Scientists use most of their senses to conduct observations, a critical step in conducting research, and one of those senses is SMELL. We might not think of nature as being smelly, but we get so many of our everyday smells from nature. From the scents in our perfumes, deodorants, or candles to bringing nature into our homes to change the smell (think flowers or pine branches during the holidays) to our cleaning products, nature provides an abundance of smells.

In this video, you'll learn about the different smells in nature and be prompted to step outside and start observing the natural world, focusing on your sense of smell to discover things you've never noticed before. Go on a "Smelling Safari" and see how many different scents your nose can pick up!

In addition to the good smells of nature, there are also many that aren't so good. Discover interesting plants like the corpse plant and skunk cabbage, and why these plants have stinky smells to begin with. Explore how animals use scents for communication.

Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.

Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 

🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:

👉Merlin BirdID app

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/146-smell

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Today, we’re tuning into the world of animal sounds and learning to observe nature like true scientists. We’ll sharpen our sense of SOUND, and I’ll introduce an activity to close your eyes and listen to the natural world around you. Once you start REALLY listening, you’ll be amazed at how noisy our world really is. You’ll likely hear birds, mammals, and, depending on the time of year, insects and maybe even herps like amphibians!

You'll also notice how much noise HUMANS make. Planes flying overhead, cars driving by, the sounds of lawnmowers, and leafblowers are just a few things you are likely to hear. How do these sounds affect animals? Called noise pollution, these sounds can actually impact an animal's survival. Through this video and activity, you'll be exploring how and why.

Learn how to document these sounds in a nature journal and discover how different times of the day and seasons influence what you hear. I'll also introduce you to the Merlin ID app, which helps identify bird species by their calls. 

Once you start REALLY listening, you’ll be amazed at how noisy our world really is. You’ll likely hear birds, mammals, and, depending on the time of year, insects and maybe even herps like amphibians.

Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.

Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 

🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:

👉Merlin BirdID app

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/145-listen

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Animal behavior is one of my FAVORITE topics, and we’re studying it through an animal you’ve probably seen a thousand times but never truly observed: squirrels!

Why squirrels? They’re abundant, easy and fun to watch (one of my friends called them “our” monkeys), and perfect for learning how scientists study behavior in the real world. In this video, I talk about:

• What animal behavior is 💡
• The kinds of animals scientists study to understand behavior 🌍
• How YOU can help scientists by joining Project Squirrel 🐿️
• What data you’ll collect and why it matters 📊

📓 The bonus animal behavior ethogram activity you’ll get inside the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, as well as worksheets on using squirrels to conduct observations on foraging, communication, habitat use, and personalities

In Project Squirrel, you’ll help scientists figure out where different species live, why they live there, and how human activity impacts them. Even if you don’t see squirrels, your observations still help real researchers! Understanding where squirrels don’t live is just as important as understanding where they do live.

Plus:

🐦 If squirrels aren’t in your area, you can conduct the same exercises with birds and submit your observations to help scientists at eBird.

🦅 We’ll also preview upcoming winter bird-focused projects, so start sharpening your bird observation skills.

Whether you’re a curious kid, parent, teacher, or nature lover, this video and the downloadable activities in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club will get you outside, observing, asking questions, and contributing to community science.

Let’s explore animal behavior squirrel-style! 🐿️✨

Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.

🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to connect people with nature so that we can restore our planet while rediscovering who we really are.

Full Show Notes:

👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/144-project-squirrel/

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Conducting accurate and meaningful observations are a CRITICAL part of being a scientist. In this video, learn how to conduct DETAILED observations in nature. Discover the benefits of nature journaling and using a camera to capture intricate things you wouldn't notice.

Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.

🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/143-observe-like-a-scientist/

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

It’s well known that careers in wildlife, conservation, and the environment are incredibly competitive. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a job to have hundreds of applicants. So you might be surprised to hear that there are jobs that are difficult for employers to fill. Yes, difficult! (insert mind blown emoji here). To be honest, I was surprised too. 

Today’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast is inspired by this recent insight, and it came about through a new connection on LinkedIn. Dr. Patrick Raney, the Director of Conservation Programs in the Great Lakes Atlantic region of Ducks Unlimited, and I were messaging each other about conservation jobs, and he mentioned that it had actually been difficult for him to find qualified applicants to fill certain positions Given that so many people are struggling to get jobs, I immediately thought that this was wonderful news and that I needed to have him on the podcast to learn more and help those in need.

As the Director of Conservation Programs in the Great Lakes Atlantic region of Ducks Unlimited, Patrick leads wetland restoration and mitigation efforts to restore habitat, protect biodiversity, and ensure that long-term conservation wins for both wildlife and communities. 

In this episode, you’ll learn about Patrick’s winding career path to Ducks Unlimited and early interest in conservation. We also talk a lot about what I am now calling “wildlife adjacent careers,” that is, careers that are related to wildlife work, but are not necessarily directly involved in research. This includes fields that you might not think of when it comes to helping wildlife, in this case, careers in engineering that rebuild wetland habitats. 

Patrick initially trained as a plant biologist and started his journey at the early age of 16 with a summer camp job that he demanded (yes, demanded!). It’s a great story that you won’t want to miss. In it, he demonstrates his unstoppable attitude towards going after your wildlife career, which is CRITICAL in this field. We also follow his career progression through various roles in environmental science and research.

We talk in-depth about Patrick’s work at Ducks Unlimited, how he uses different strategies to support wetland species, and especially ducks. You’ll learn how Ducks Unlimited approaches wetland conservation, working with stakeholders, and achieving results that are a win-win for wildlife and partners. 

Throughout the conversation, Patrick offers a lot of valuable advice for early professionals in wildlife careers. We cover the importance of volunteering and building experience, and that a little goes a long way, as well as the value of transferable skills from non-wildlife jobs in environmental careers. Patrick shares advice on the importance of networking and even making proactive job applications. He mentions that he occasionally hires candidates who reach out directly, even if there are no immediate positions available! 

Given that we met each other over LinkedIn, we also go into the importance of this platform, which I have become obsessed with recently. Ever since I took some training and developed my own LinkedIn for Wildlife Careers Masterclass, I have been using and loving LinkedIn. He talks about how he believes it is a powerful career tool, and uses it for job recruitment offering you tips on how you can use LinkedIn to your advantage.

If you’re interested in wildlife careers, you’re going to get a lot of specific and concrete advice on how to approach your career, as well as creative ideas to think differently than others to set yourself apart. And if you’re not on a wildlife career track, you’re going to learn about important conservation practices that work and successful wetland restoration efforts.

Specifically, we go over:

• What wildlife adjacent jobs are and how to think about careers in conservation 
• Patrick’s work at Ducks Unlimited and what they do as an organization to protect wildlife 
• How Patrick got started in wildlife work and the unexpected turns his career took 
• How you can get started in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers 
• The importance of volunteering and how to make it work for you, even with limited time and resources 
• How Ducks Unlimited works with various stakeholders to achieve conservation success What jobs are in demand for wildlife careers 
• Creative ways to set yourself apart from others to secure experience, jobs, and more 
• Making LinkedIn an asset to network, connect with others, and share your professional achievements 
• And MORE!

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…

✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/

🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/

📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/

🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/

I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.

🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:

👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/142-patrick-raney/

Jump Links:

00:00 Introduction and Inspiration

02:19 Meet Camilla Price

02:38 Camilla's Background and Career Path

07:07 The Journey to the NSF GRFP Grant

10:07 Developing the Research Proposal

13:44 Methodology and Broader Impacts

18:27 Seeking Help and Finalizing the Application

22:48 The Joy of Receiving the Grant

23:57 Choosing the Right Program

24:26 Reaching Out to Professors

26:50 Advisors and Research Projects

29:43 Backup Plans and Career Strategies

33:32 Final Tips and Reflections

38:18 Networking and Taking Initiative

Let’s connect! 🤝✨

Website: https://fancyscientist.com/

Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/