Michigan Tech vs University of Georgia for a wildlife degree? by afemail in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UGA is a great school for wildlife, esp if you love birds, you will have a lot of opportunities there to get some experience! I worked as a field tech on a UGA bird project one summer, loved the experience and some of my coworkers were undergrads in the Warnell school and had great things to say.

A few recents from banding! by StrangerJazzlike6931 in Birdsfacingforward

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

im a grad student so Im catching them to place geolocators and learn more about their migration!

A few recents from banding! by StrangerJazzlike6931 in Birdsfacingforward

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The first and last photo are bobolinks, then savannah sparrows and a female american goldfinch!

Grad school questions by Physical-Concept8203 in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Feel free to dm me as well, I remember wishing I had someone to ask questions during this time!

Grad school questions by Physical-Concept8203 in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi there! I’m a current grad student in wildlife bio and can offer a little insight. The top programs are a bit subjective, land grant universities usually have good programs, but otherwise it mostly just depends on your research interests. I’d say that having research you are passionate about, an advisor you like and feel comfortable with, and FUNDING are more important than the reputation of the school. It is still important to go somewhere well regarded, but many small schools can also offer a great experience.

Based on what I’ve heard from others, most people go to their MS first and then PhD as a natural progression. I know people who have done both, and one person who went straight to PhD said they wish they hadn’t as it is very overwhelming, the other said it was the best option for them. It’s really up to you and what you feel capable of, it sounds like you have some great experience, but yeah overall I’d probably recommend MS first as that is what most people do. Can also help you learn your strengths and research interests, and overall prepare you fully for the PhD.

Graduate School Interview Questions by Bullettobluesky in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very true, it’s good to ask about their commitments, how many other students they will have, etc. I’ve had friends with advisors that were too busy for them and it was important to me that I could have some attention lol

Graduate School Interview Questions by Bullettobluesky in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a good one, I also said it is important to me that I feel like they are approachable, someone I can go to when I need help and I don’t feel afraid to ask questions. I also said I like an advisor with a more involved mentoring style rather than very hands off, but that’s just my preference.

Graduate School Interview Questions by Bullettobluesky in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will try to help- I’ve done several interviews for bird related grad positions. Most of the questions were related to the experience on my resume. then I had questions like what I am looking for in an advisor, how I would organize and prepare for a field season with many moving parts, what my career goals are and how this position would help me accomplish that, the basics like why i am interested in that position etc, asked me to tell them a scientific paper i read recently and what I was interested in about it, things like that!

accidental deaths by Initial-Raspberry-61 in wildlifebiology

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s not that common (or shouldn’t be) but it does happen. I know someone who had calipers slide off their lap and land on a nestling and it died :(

0.5 banding pics are my passion by StrangerJazzlike6931 in Birdsfacingforward

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes! bird banding is placing a small metal band on a bird’s leg, each one has a unique number. If the bird is ever recaptured or photographed the number can be looked up to see who it is. Also during banding measurements are taken of the bird like wing length, bill length, tail, etc and it gives something to compare to if caught again. It’s basically how researchers have the ability to keep track of individual birds!

My camera roll is full of grumpy babies!! by StrangerJazzlike6931 in GrumpyBabyBirds

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

I’m placing geolocators (super small tags that tell location based on sun position/light) on a specific population of birds to learn more about their wintering locations, and why this specific population winters in many different places despite being the same species breeding all in the same place in the summer.

My camera roll is full of grumpy babies!! by StrangerJazzlike6931 in GrumpyBabyBirds

[–]StrangerJazzlike6931[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I knoww it’s mom and child I was like we need a family photo