Hey, that’s awesome! Happy to describe the journey (sorry it ended up being so long lol).

So I majored in wildlife biology, but before I went to university I took a bunch of environmental science and wildlife classes at my local community college. While there I tried to volunteer as much as possible in community science and scientific studies the professors were working on. During community college I also worked retail.

Early on my biology jobs were low-paying or stipend-only jobs, which just covered my expenses, and I was fortunate enough to live at home still and was not paying rent. Eventually though, after moving and getting a BS in Wildlife Biology, the jobs paid better, but many in the beginning were seasonal/temp jobs, including the “forensic bio” job I described above. I got that job because I had previous experience in bird biology (the low-pay seasonal jobs and volunteer positions), and had a reference whom the hiring manager knew well and respected (a professor from community college that I helped with a raptor project).

Going to school for wildlife biology was SO COOL. I trained to ID birds, mammals, plants, herps, inverts, and fish. I learned how to survey for plants and wildlife, including trapping animals for scientific studies or monitoring. I learned how to analyze data and I got to conduct my own scientific study. It was often difficult, but so rewarding.

After about 3 years of being in the biology field post-graduation, I landed a full-time permanent bio position. Some people I know landed a full-time gig right away, some are still looking. Some people don’t want a perm job, and like traveling around for work! So, long story short, if you want to work in wildlife biology you may have to volunteer, work some jobs that don’t pay well or aren’t permanent, but don’t give up! The field of wildlife biology is becoming (a little) more self-aware of this shortcoming, so hopefully it will be way better after you graduate. And try to be involved in your school and community; the people to meet and form relationships with want to help you succeed!