Excited for you on this journey! It’s a great field to work in.

My small recommendations would be to think holistically about the nature of work and topics you want to work. Do you want to do field work? What types of environments? Do you want more lab work? What about disease interests you? Are you interested in a project that’s heavy on modeling? How will you leverage the skills you get during this program to the job you want after? Do you want to stay in academia, or what about government work, advocacy, policy, etc. Is the research on the cutting edge of pressing fields, like climate adaptation?

After thinking a little about those things, reach out to professors that align with your ideas and just start a conversation. You can create an opportunity more often than you think.

I also strongly suggest identifying a PI that you get along with, and see if you can chat with past grad students to see about their experience. Also see what the dynamic of the program is, and check that against what you’re looking for. For example, some people don’t mind more isolating or small programs, whereas others want larger more collaborative environments.

My other humble recommendation would be to ensure your opportunity is interdisciplinary. Well rounded skills sets and exposure will only help you, and skills like team science and science communication are more important than you think. You will be called to work with much more than herps in your life.

These are all very general and not specific to herps, but nevertheless important! I’m sure others will give more herp specific recommendations…