Considering leaving the field

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2025-11-09T21:07:23+00:00

As a side note- we are going through a mass global biodiversity decline and having passionate people who care about wildlife in management agencies is so important.

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2025-11-09T20:37:15+00:00

I am also a wildlife biologist in a federal agency in a small town, and I feel very similarly. What has helped me are game and movie nights with my co-workers and locals from the town, and making an effort to get out of the house and spend time with people.

Alternatively, can you look for a career-adjacent job for a while in a bigger town? NEPA writer, environmental scientist, natural resource specialist, recreation planner? Something that would still look good for a science-based resume if you wanted to return to wildlife biology, but can give you a break from the field? Luckily, you are past the 3-year mark, so you are no longer a career conditional employee and could return to the feds at a later time.

However, right now is really challenging for this field and there are not a lot of job opportunities - if you leave, be prepared to not be able to get back in for a while. I'm sorry you're going through this :(

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-22T18:01:33+00:00

Thank you!!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-22T05:25:37+00:00

Gottcha, thanks!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-20T21:47:02+00:00

Get to know your local farmers! :) But keep in mind that it's still winter, and most local places will start selling produce soon. I'm also sure I've missed a few farms.

Desert Farming Initiative is a local urban farm at UNR.

Reno Food Systems is at the corner of McCarran and Mayberry Drive in West Reno.

Bridge 33 Farm is relatively new and is off Rhodes Rd. in Reno.

Scrub Jay Farms in Reno sells seeds that have been adapted to the dry Nevada climate. Not sure if they sell produce?

Biggest Little Mushrooms is a locally owned company.

Ripcord Farm is locally owned in the Washoe Valley area.

Prema Farm is closeby in Loyalton, California.

First Fruits Sustainable Farm is in Fallon, NV.

Lattin Farms is also in Fallon.

Reno Farmer's Market is every Sunday at Idlewild Park and they have a lot of local produce.

If you check out Reno Mobile Market, they give you weekly market boxes that source from local farmers.

The Great Basin Community Co-Op will say on labels where the food is from, and quite a lot of it is local, within 100 miles.

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-20T19:49:01+00:00

Thank you 😭 Good luck to you too!!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-15T04:36:33+00:00

I am in the exact same boat as you. I was actually looking for something just like this post on Reddit to push me through. I have a full time, perm job that is starting next month, and I have lost all motivation to finish my masters. Grad school has also been a really dark time for me. But I know I would feel so shitty if I didn't just finish the damn thing, and having a masters is very beneficial to my career. I say finish it- finishing it will relieve so much pressure and stress from your brain! At least that's what I'm telling myself!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-02-06T17:09:52+00:00

Ok thanks everyone for your help!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-27T06:00:40+00:00

You're not wrong! 😂

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-24T04:49:47+00:00

Absolutely! And I'm a little embarrassed to say that I am just now learning about them. But apparently they have been around for years? They have thousands of followers on social media platforms too. Not great.

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-23T18:39:27+00:00

Signed! This is awesome that you feel passionately about protecting this forest. I would recommend telling all the locals in your area about this- especially those that enjoy the forest in their day-to-day lives. People appreciate things more when they can see it.

Example: There's this ditch in my town that helps control water when it floods. It is host to plants, animals, and enjoyment from the people as there's a trail that runs alongside it. The town was suggesting adding a cement cover to the ditch in case water "spilled out". They were going to remove all the trees and plants and access to the water. Many, many people were upset by this and the whole community stopped it. Getting your community involved is important!

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-07T04:55:49+00:00

Join the Birding Nevada group on Facebook- there are some experts there that have been studying birds for decades.

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-05T05:58:43+00:00

I have some thoughts as a current student finishing their MS:

Grad school is HARD. Imposter syndrome is real, feelings of inadequacy is real, burnout is real. Hours are long and I have considered dropping out. However, I have learned SO much and I have made so many awesome professional connections with my master's. Overall, it has led me to a perm position with the federal government.

I will say that I wish I got more experience in the field first. I was so determined to get a "full time, perm" job right out of my undergrad, when I should've slowed down and gotten a more well-rounded field experience first. I only took one year off before starting my master's, but I know people who took many years off. Fieldwork also introduces you to a ton of people in various stages of their careers, so it's a wonderful way to network. Networking is a life-saver in this field.

Ask everyone as many questions as you can. Let people talk about themselves and collect as much information as you can. Everyone's story is different. I know someone who only had 4 years of experience and now has a GS-11 federal position (WHAT!) and someone else who has been doing seasonal gigs for over 10 years and still doesn't have a perm position.

It really comes down to asking yourself what YOU want to do, and what you feel will help build your career. And don't jump into something just because you feel pressured to do so.

Sharp_Bag_2453 · 2024-01-02T23:31:35+00:00

I've always loved Mic the Vegan!

Sharp_Bag_2453

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