USGS

Biological Technician

May - August 2018 • Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

What I liked

I love getting experience in such a beautiful setting. I was able to be outside, hiking and backpacking, all while collecting data on the Boreal Toad.

What I wish was different

I wish there would have been a little more guidance when it came to processing data.

Advice

If you ever get the chance to do this job, I highly recommend it. I learned so much and was able to get wildlife experience!

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Lab Assistant

May 2019 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Flexible schedule, lots of chemistry, autonomy

What I wish was different

Advice

Do homework to prepare for job, research company/interviewers before interview

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Sage Grouse Technician

February - November 2019 • Reno, NV

What I liked

Trained you everything you needed to know. Learned valuable skills that can be used in a good majority if wildlife jobs out there. Friendly staff and coworkers. Get to work outdoors and handling sage-grouse. See a lot of other wildlife too.

What I wish was different

Needs more organization, but a wildlife job itself can be unpredictable.

Advice

It's good job security for a long period of the year and you can move up to Technician and then Crew Lead. So just do your best!

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - August 2018 • Cookeville, TN

What I liked

I loved being able to work outside, on a boat! Working on Invasive Species eradication is hard work and super satisfying.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more funding available for this year.

Advice

Be sure to work hard and have a positive attitude. A strong back doesn’t hurt either.

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Field assistant, Lab manager

February 2017 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Provide real life research experience and learn management skills. I have learned more from work than I have had in school. My experience at work helps me in school projects. I was able to cultivate my interest in certain research topics.

What I wish was different

I wish I was paid more and that our project had more funding. And I wish I didn't have to work so many hours during school.

Advice

Stay connected to campus resources and apply as soon as you are interested. Have passion on what you are applying for and show that during the interview.

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Plague Ecology Technician

June - September 2019 • Wall, SD

What I liked

I really enjoyed having hands-on experience contributing to research. I especially appreciated the experience of working in isolated, and sometimes harsh field conditions to better prepare me for future technician positions. I really enjoyed working in cooperation with so many different organizations like the NPS, Prairie Wildlife Research, USGS, and others. I also got to apply knowledge that I had learned in school and was happy to already have had experience working with the traps we were using to catch prairie dogs.

What I wish was different

At times, the location of camp was a little rough. We were set up in Wall, South Dakota which is about an hour from the nearest city. Finding things to do in our off-time was difficult and one can only visit Wall Drug so many times before it feels like you're in an episode of the Twilight Zone. But realistically, I know that the location can't really be different because we need to be close to our study sites in and around Badlands National Park.

Advice

Push yourself out of your comfort zone. I had to live in a small USGS trailer with two other co-workers and sometimes it was uncomfortable but I made memories and friendships that will last me a lifetime. It's all about the people you get to meet on these jobs and you also get to experience different parts of the world. I feel like I know South Dakota in a much more intimate way than I did previously and now it holds a special place in my heart.

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Office Automation Clerk

August 2018 • Boise, ID

What I liked

I'm able to perform a wide variety of tasks with a lot of independence which makes each day different than the rest.

What I wish was different

There isn't anything I can think of.

Advice

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Hydrologic Technician

June 2018 • Anchorage, AK

What I liked

I enjoyed the time spent in the field taking measurements and collecting data.

What I wish was different

Started earlier.

Advice

Start looking for a job or internship 8 plus months before you intend to start. Openings for internships go FAST! Update your resume a lot and have multiple resumes made for different types of jobs. I.e. a federal, private and master resumes. Also have a cover letter ready.

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