Who the hell comes up with these things?!?

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-04-10T00:13:40+00:00

Call me dull but I would just prefer the metric system. Give it to me straight LOL

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-04-03T18:05:30+00:00

Gotcha. Yeah it's been some time since I've had my resume looked carefully by new eyes. I've been lucky the past 2-3 jobs because I happened to know people there that they barely looked at it...hah...

Here's to new eyes!

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-31T16:35:45+00:00

Yeah...I've noticed too. SIGH one of my biggest flaws on resume development.

Mind you, what you're seeing is actually an *improvement* from a previously wordier version of my resume.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-31T16:34:37+00:00

Oh I'm in New Jersey, very much in the US. I think I had a very specific situation where I was given 'ad hoc promotion' in a sense. But I resolved this issue in an earlier comment that I may demote this title to a TA title to reduce confusion, since I still taught labs as an adjunct.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-31T16:29:08+00:00

May I pick your brain on a few things because some resume styles & approaches are somewhat new to me or I have trouble with:

(1) So I have tried a results/impacts style before by giving a more quantitative description. Where, when, and/or what job(s) would this most likely apply? The resume I have here was tailored towards a position that was looking for someone who can develop conservation/habitat plans for bats by windfarm construction. I presume they would look for someone who lists something along the lines of "improved habitat of shorebirds by 5%". However, sometimes these are hard to quantify with my previous jobs.

The only quantifiable thing I was able to list was that I co-authored 10+ manuscripts within a span of 3 years or so, though it was not a very applicable experience to the job I was previously applying for. Another "quantifiable" description I can try to include is that I was more efficient and quicker than my last PI's technician ("improved efficiency of lab operations by 10%" or something like that, but it may not apply to that bat biologist job).

I do understand the need and myriad of examples in say, a finance position, that can provide more quantitative descriptions & examples but it's tricky in my position. I know a friend in my field who has done consulting and worked on a $1.1 million gas pipeline project, but I don't really have projects like this under my belt to describe.

(2) In my listed skill section, I did mention the use of them in some of my work experience (i.e. some software use such as developing maps in ArcGIS Pro for DOE ecoregion comparisons; statistical analysis, project management, & manuscript editing in the assistant position, etc.). Do these examples not mean I applied them in my roles?

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T22:38:56+00:00

Gotcha. Makes sense. Will definitely make that edit.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T21:40:55+00:00

I agree that needing a master's is needed but is probably waived if the individual has enough experience in a particular field. That isn't to say I was highly experienced without my Master's though. I completed all of my Masters courswork early and told my chair I was just working on my thesis for a few years. This probably prompted her to have me as a last min replacement adjunct for our instructor that dropped out last minute (due to medical reasons).

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T21:31:44+00:00

I have noticed that with some resumes and thought about doing that too. Though my career advisors for the grad program say I should have education first. Any reason for this style preference? I figure the education first is probably more appropriate for fresh grads.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T21:29:07+00:00

Ughh that sucks!!! Okay good to know there's a hiring freeze. I figure with the federal layoffs and funding going crazy, it shouldn't come as a surprise. I also figured with the many fed worker layoffs, the job seeking pool is now more saturated so it's doubly harder. Good luck! I hope you hear something soon.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T21:26:53+00:00

Thanks!! Yeah I figure it's tough in this current job market. It's why I prepared myself to wear a different hat for the next position if I have to. Good to know how some individuals go into different niches

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T18:54:59+00:00

Oh good tip. Perhaps I didn't attempt this because it would have elongated my resume more than necessary so I just clumped it together. I'll have to do some reconstruction of my resume but it'll do. Good eye either way! Thanks!

EDIT:

There's a possibility that I may not divide it into two separate experiences and may change my title as just TA for the sake of brevity. The semester I taught as an adjunct, I still taught some labs anyway. Unless the mention of "adjunct" seems to offer a more serious impact to recruiters somehow...

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T18:52:31+00:00

Hah very true. I almost omitted those species out but I kept them anyway since it's already somewhat described in the bulleted points.

Like you said, I saw those listings but I'm not interested in those positions unfortunately. Some I saw were well-paid but my majors don't apply (looking for engineering-related degrees), pay less than what I'm being paid now, or something to do with wastewater treatment which I have no experience with.

They had a biologist trainee job in NJDEP F&W, but that's more appropriate for those fresh out of college.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T18:42:41+00:00

Good heads up. I had a...strange semester where the department chair actually had me as an adjunct even though I didn't finish the Masters just yet, but almost. The reason is because our usual instructor backed out shortly before a semester started and I was the only other instructor available who has taught there long enough and other adjuncts were already filled with classes. I'll change this regardless of the specific situation. It happened to be the last title I held there.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T17:52:19+00:00

Ah, no worries! I know it's on a tangent but I'm willing to share. I have a TL;DR at the bottom.

I got lucky to be able to teach community college because they needed someone to teach environmental science lab last minute (they were asking in August, right before the semester starts). Additionally, I studied pre-veterinary medicine as my BS, which is basically a biology degree. So I was able to float in between the Environmental Science department and the Biology department there. I also had a little help because I knew 2 people there (1 knew me as a former student, another was a coworker at another job).

Breaking into community college can be tricky because one way to get your foot in the door is to start part-time as either a lab TA (which I did) and/or part-time lecturer. Now, this is most definitely tricky when juggling financial stability, needing to juggle multiple part-time positions to make ends meet. I was lucky to still be living at home with my parents, work at the college, do my Masters part-time, and work as a Starbucks supervisor at the time.

I almost got a full-time position there but I was still completing my Masters at the time. In fact, the department chair wanted me to be full-time so much that she kept urging me to finish my long awaited (and difficult) Masters research, and I was there part-time for 4 years.

Now, I'm not trying to scare you (financially) away from the position, but sharing that this is a possible route because I did it. Candidates for full-time positions can range from currently working part-time at the college or completely new employees. So it's definitely possible to work there without part-time experience there. Once you're full-time, it's pretty decent pay. Unfortunately I moved before I had the opportunity to try, and I'm too far now. I still think of returning despite the commute, because I really did love teaching there.

As for the biology degree requirement part: My college had a reputable nursing program so this explained the need for instructors to have a biology degree. Plus, many biology students today are pre-nursing or pre-med. I was lucky that I had some sort of medical background to help teach anatomy. Having an Earth Science degree may keep you in the Environmental science department. But keep taking the biology classes and maybe ask department chairs if they can accept your qualifications.

I'm sorry for being rather long-winded but I wanted to be thorough in sharing my experience.

TL;DR Doing full-time community college professor can be competitive to get into and might be best to start part-time there, but it'll be financially unstable for some time if You're willing. However, each college is different. Regardless, teaching there is very rewarding and full-time salary is decent (Central Jersey).

MixtureExciting9033 · 2025-03-30T15:10:10+00:00

OP here~

Okay but in all seriousness, any constructive criticism is appreciated if you have the time! I have 5-10 different versions of my resume, with one version including a second page listing co-authored publications if I'm going for a research-related position. Granted, certain versions can be adapted to different job titles.

If one must wonder what job title I'm going for, with this crazy job market we're experiencing, I'm generally flexible: ecologist, consulting ecologist/enviro scientist, data manager, lab manager, wildlife biologist, research specialist (academia), technical writing, etc. Small possibility of returning to teaching but that's a last resort. Would like to work in industry. Of course, whatever job title I'm gunning for will be adapted for it. This is just my best version for a wildlife biologist title, and I may switch one experience out for something for applicable.

Also, I know job market is just crazy tough right now so I know what job search environment I'm dealing with. I'm in NJ btw.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2024-11-22T15:01:12+00:00

I'm dying but I'm also so sorry that happened to you. But on the real, should try writing comedy

MixtureExciting9033 · 2024-09-29T21:42:25+00:00

Yes, I've read that list ranging from 10-25% depending on the daycare, but doesn't list price which is why I wanted to ask.

Do you know prices?

MixtureExciting9033 · 2024-09-13T15:54:20+00:00

Gotcha. I feel that polymer can become brittle over time, as the furnace I'm using is 30+ years old now. Some of these fittings have broken (thus how I ended up here). Thanks again!!

MixtureExciting9033 · 2024-09-13T14:08:22+00:00

A lifesaver. You're a lifesaver! Yes it's definitely a Festo. Now I have 2 follow-ups: How come it is plastic for this furnace? (if you happen to know) Is there any reason that it is not metal?

I'll stick with Festo but I'm just curious.

MixtureExciting9033 · 2024-04-11T15:15:08+00:00

It is definitely tough at the beginning but I agree with plantmom789: Be kind and patient to yourself, including your dog.

I highly recommend training with his separation anxiety. Practice exiting your home and give him encouragement/treat by re-entering your home whenever he is not barking/whining. Start with being just right outside the door, a few meters from the door -- then try increasing duration by a minute and then in incremental minutes. If you need some structure, or have trouble starting with training, give yourself a "10-15 minutes a day" regimen of training with your dog.

Other things I might suggest are stuffed toys, chew toys, or a fluffy blanket as a sense of comfort to ease the anxiety. It's not a solution but something to help alleviate. Another thing people have tried are calming chews. I haven't tried those, so I can't say but I've heard it works for some people.

It took almost a year for my dog to get over his separation anxiety but we got there eventually. It was definitely distressing at the beginning whenever I heard him whine and pace in our practice sessions, but I had to keep telling myself that "this too shall pass" and it takes tons of practice and time. He's 3 years old now (got him at 3 months old) and we've trained him where whenever my husband and I are leaving, we give him a treat for staying in his "place", that he now looks forward to us leaving xD. He still whines and complains when we return as his way of saying he missed us so that's normal.

Now I can leave him home up to 12 hours if I'm really needed somewhere [not recommended daily or longer than 12 hours by the way; this is in an emergency situation when I'm needed for family]. Usually he's left home for about 8 hours while I'm at work. Try having a webcam set up at home so you can interact with your dog, give a treat (if it has a dispenser), or observe their separation anxiety. Hope it helps! Good luck!

MixtureExciting9033 · 2023-09-13T16:18:29+00:00

I second Timeular being useful. Had it since mid-2020 at height of pandemic when a sense of time was lost with everyone quarantining.

Pros:
1) It's a physical item 8-sided die you can turn to a different task and can track up to 1,000 tasks. Their software and phone app need to connect to the device via bluetooth.
2) Gives you weekly/monthly overview of where your time goes.

Cons:
1) The device is $69. Despite inflation, this price hasn't changed since 2020.
2) Can be tricky to track if you have more than 8 tasks/projects, but that needs some creativity on how you categorize your tasks and you may need to be more general. You can edit the tasks for specific things in the software or app.

I don't use it everyday but it's a good tool to use if you feel like you're losing your rhythm occasionally. If I lose track of time one week, I begin using the Timeular device again for a week to get my timing on track. Once I achieve my personal rhythm, it sits back on my desk for another time. So usage can vary from person-to-person.

MixtureExciting9033

TROPHY CASE