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Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka: Daily Summaries Delivered
by fancyscientist
Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist.
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- 2 weeks ago1h 10m
Inside Ecotourism Careers: Finding the World’s Rarest Wolf: Interview with Aspen S.
A lot of you have told me you're interested in ecotourism, and I had been wanting to talk to someone who does it professionally and does it ethically. So, when I came across Aspen S. and her red wolf guiding work, I knew she was the perfect person to ask how a career like this actually gets built, from the first idea to paying clients. In today's episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I sat down with Aspen S., known on Instagram as @wildlifewithaspen. Aspen is an ethical guide and educator who made the transition from working with the nonprofit Wildlands Network to owning her own ecotourism company guiding visitors to see the critically endangered red wolf and other fun critters that live in Eastern North Carolina. She is also an amazing wildlife photographer with over 55,000 followers on Instagram, and a great fit for this episode because she has built a career on her own terms and doing what she loves.You’ll learn how Aspen was drawn to large carnivores from the start, beginning with coyotes in college. You’ll follow along her journey as a trail camera technician with the nonprofit Wildlands Network, where she learned how to tell red wolves from coyotes on camera (something very difficult for most people to do, even those in the wildlife field) and got to know the animals and the refuge. After several people suggested she try guiding, she did, and she has now been doing it for a few years! Aspen is also a fancy scientist. She doesn't look like a typical scientist or wildlife professional, and on her Instagram she describes herself as the swamp witch. You'll hear where that nickname came from, and we even talk about her animal jewelry and her apartment decor.You’ll learn exactly how she started guiding, set up her business, and what a day in her life looks like in her job. I also ask her how she exactly finds red wolves, a species with only about 30 individuals left! We go deep into red wolf conservation, including how red wolves differ from gray wolves, and what she has learned about running a social media account of her size.We also talk about ethical wildlife tourism and ecotourism in general. If you want to see animals you love, how can you do it without causing them harm? Aspen shares tips you can use on your next trip. At the end of the episode, I share some takeaways on how you can follow your own passion, because it can be something you transition into bit by bit.Specifically, we go over:How Aspen went from studying coyotes in college to working with red wolves at Wildlands NetworkWhat it's like to work as an ecotourism guide in North AmericaHow she finds 1 of about 30 red wolves without tracking data telling her their locationWhat red wolves are, where they live, and why only about 30 remain in the wildThe biggest threats to red wolvesCommon myths about red wolves and how they differ from gray wolves and coyotesWhat a day in the life of a red wolf guide looks likeEthical wildlife watching tips for tourists, photographers, and anyone heading outdoorsThe mental health side of running a large wildlife social media accountWildlife photography tips for beginnersHow to turn something you love into a side hustle or businessWhy finding your niche and staying true to your values helps you stand outAnd more!Jump Links5:20 Meet Aspen: Ethical Red Wolf Guide11:54 Finding Wolves Without GPS12:35 Red Wolf Crisis: Fewer Than 30 Left14:38 #1 Threat: Vehicle Strikes27:00 Building a Wildlife Guide Business28:57 Social Media & Mental Health30:32 Why Red Wolves Look 'Skinny'33:57 Red Wolf Conflicts: Politics & Myths37:15 A Day in the Life of a Wolf Guide43:49 Ethical Wildlife Watching Tips47:04 Fear of Going Full-Time as a Guide51:02 Favorite Wolf Moment: Pups & Howling54:00 Wildlife Photography Tips58:31 Saving Wolves Through Ecotourism1:00:28 How Her Alligator Video Went ViralDream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can ge
- Sep 29, 202649 min
Building a Wildlife Career Without Breaking the Bank: Real Talk on Money, Salaries and Spending
If you're considering a career in wildlife, conservation, or environmental sciences, you've probably heard that these fields don't pay well and even that you have to be wealthy to make it. But surely, there must be regular folks making it in wildlife careers? Can you really make a living? Pay your bills and raise a family? Or are you doomed to be broke forever if you pursue a career you love in this field?Making wildlife and related careers work financially is one of those topics that we don't talk about enough (if at all?). We talk about passion, research, saving wildlife, and making a difference but at the end of the day, we also need to pay our bills so…That's exactly what this episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast is all about! Money is an essential part of our lives and our careers, and we shouldn’t feel bad about not only needing it, but wanting it. It’s essential for us to pursue our calling of working with wildlife and helping the environment. We can’t do this without it. This week’s episode is all about money. I've worked as a researcher for 17 years and now as a career mentor for the past six, and I’m here to tell you that none of the people I worked with, that’s right, NONE, were innately wealthy, yet they landed jobs. My friends who I went to graduate school with, some of whom were skating the poverty line at the time, now have jobs as professors, wildlife biologists, researchers, and more. I'm going to give you the real deal on the financial realities of working in wildlife and related fields, and maybe even blow your mind (hopefully!) by discussing jobs where you can actually be financially comfortable, and even end up wealthy. I start with a mindset shift I learned long before I ever became a wildlife biologist, back when I wanted to be an actress. From there, I get into how you can build experience without spending any money at all, and that you don’t need to sacrifice daily 9-5 life volunteering with unpaid experiences. I break down where it actually makes sense to spend money in this field, and where it doesn't: whether paying for programs abroad are necessary, if certificates are worth it, how to think about getting degrees, and why paying for a Master's degree without a clear plan can actually waste tens of thousands of your hard-earned dollars (I’ve seen it happen).Finally, I go over the fields and job types that do tend to pay well, and how to think about where the money actually is in this field.By the end of this episode, my intention is that you walk away with a much clearer, more realistic picture of what's actually possible financially in this field, to surprise and delight you, and bust the misconception that you need to be wealthy or willing to go broke to build a real wildlife career. It doesn't matter who you are or what background you come from, I strongly believe this field is for everyone, and I want to help you make a change in your community so that together, we can change the world.Specifically, we cover:Whether it's actually possible to make a living, pay your bills, and raise a family working in wildlife, conservation, or environmental sciencesThe mindset shift that makes the early, low-paid years of this career easier to acceptWhy when you search average wildlife salaries on Google, they are strongly misleading, don't tell the whole story, and what they leave outHow to get real, resume-worthy experience without paying for expensive programs through simple, yet unconventional approaches Where to actually spend money on your education, and where you can save, including where to go for your Bachelor's degree, and how to think about Master's and PhD programsWhether certificates pay off and are worth the investment.Why a Master's degree doesn't guarantee you a job, and how to avoid wasting money on the wrong programThe types of jobs and organizations that tend to pay well in this field, and how to think about what kinds of jobs and places pay the mostUnexpected jobs and workplaces that can create a major impact for wildlife, yet are typically not thought of for wildlife careersAnd MORE!Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/I’m D
- Sep 8, 20261h 4m
Landing a Permanent Wildlife Job with Steve Irwin x Tupac Energy: Interview with José Juan Rodriguez Gutierrez
One day I was mindlessly scrolling on Instagram and a video stopped me in my tracks. This reel was from a 26-year old with a permanent job, offering some excellent career advice, well beyond his years. I was intrigued, but when I read his bio, saying “Steve Irwin X Tupac,” I was instantly hooked! Landing a permanent job is tough when you are first starting out, so this is an accomplishment in itself. Some of my friends with Master’s degrees didn’t get theirs until their late 20s or early 30s, and here was this young man without an advanced degree in one at 26. But what also struck me was the advice he was giving. A lot of the things are not necessarily hard or complicated, but simply what most people don’t do because it does involve stepping out of your comfort zone. These are the kinds of things that actually get results, and the same kinds of things I tell my students to do, but that most people aren’t willing to do…(cough cough intentional networking)... And of course his style of science communication really captured my attention! With an Instagram bio that read “Steve Irwin X Tupac," I had to learn more. And what better place than the Fancy Scientist podcast? José Juan Rodriguez Gutierrez works on threatened and endangered species in rural Humboldt County, California (he prefers to keep the organization he works for private). His job sounds like a nature lover’s dream: getting to conduct wildlife surveys out in the forest, often setting up camera traps to understand the population dynamics of endangered species like the Humboldt marten. He’s also worked on the California Condor Recovery Program, prairie, stream, and other restoration initiatives, as well as salmon research to name a few. José spends most of his time in the forest and lives in a small town of less than 20,000 people, yet he grew up in Long Beach, California, a big city with millions of people and stores at every corner! I ask José how he was able to land a permanent job at the young age of 26 and his personal path into place that looks so different from how he grew up. We get into practical tips for starting wildlife careers as José shares his unconventional approach to networking, starting with classmates and peers rather than jumping straight to established professionals, the mentors who went beyond their job description to make a real difference for him, and how he kept his career moving during the pandemic by teaching himself GIS when fieldwork wasn't an option.There are also some more unexpected parts of José’s journey, including one of the ways he's passionate about getting conservation messages out: combining his love of hip-hop with the wildlife world.As a kid, he was shy and self-conscious about his accent, never picturing himself in front of a camera or a crowd. But his passion for communicating conservation superseded that, causing him to step out of his comfort zone, pursue a communication degree, practice, and hone his skills. And the results are incredible: He’s grown his Instagram to nearly 20,000 followers since I first came across him and his posts reach hundreds of thousands of people! José opens up about how this wasn’t always easy, and the more uncomfortable parts of building confidence and communication skills, something he had to work on early in his career. His passion for conservation overrode his insecurities, as well as his desire to reach all kinds of communities, especially the ones he is a part of. He’s especially intentional about communicating conservation back to his own community and other underrepresented groups historically excluded from science and nature education. As the child of immigrant parents, he felt isolated growing up, not speaking English at first, and rarely seeing anyone who looked or sounded like him in the wildlife field. Instead of leaving that part of himself behind, he wants Latino kids to see themselves in this work too. He believes they (and you!) belong in nature, even if you have not spent much time in it yet. You’ll see that one way José does this as well as sets himself apart from other wildlife professionals on social media is through blending messages of conservation with hip-hop culture music, lending to his "Steve Irwin X Tupac" tagline on his Instagram bio. When he received a grant from Save the Redwoods League to study California condor reintroduction, he even made one of his three deliverables a hip-hop song about the species.You're going to walk away from this interview inspired, excited, and with a huge smile on your face, because not only is José’s journey inspirational, but he's also super funny, has a diverse range of interests, and is beyond passionate about this field. He provided so many amazing tips, many of which I share with my own students, so make sure you stay tuned to the end, where I break down the most important concepts to take away to giv
- Aug 25, 202659 min
When Your "Dream Job" Isn't What You Thought: Finding Career Alignment in Wildlife Conservation: Interview with Dylan Karl
Have you been applying and applying to wildlife jobs or experiences only to hear nothing back? That’s exactly what happened to Dylan Karl despite having a degree from a prestigious university specializing in wildlife, a Master’s degree, years of experience, and a wildlife biologist certification from The Wildlife Society. Dylan had seemingly everything, yet, he was applying to 30-50 jobs every season, but nothing was landing. Dylan’s story is even more unique. Dylan was one of my Successful Wildlife Professional students, and when I first started working with him, he was working in a wildlife job, but unhappy. He felt that although he was technically involved in wildlife work mitigating damage at airports, he wasn’t having the impact he wanted, and felt like he was spending a lot more time killing wildlife rather than saving it. So Dylan decided to join the Successful Wildlife Professional program and get help. And it paid off almost instantly! Within two months of the program, he applied for and got his dream job of working with Mexican wolves. This was a huge win and we were both so excited for his future! Because of these incredible results, I knew I had to have him on the Fancy Scientist podcast to share. But when I interviewed him, I was surprised he was no longer working there! It turns out that his story took an unexpected turn. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for reality to not match up with expectations in our field… Dylan had always imagined himself as a bridge between wildlife and people, helping manage conflict and promote coexistence. But what he thought was a non-lethal position in Arizona turned out to not be so non-lethal after all, due to pressure from ranchers pushing for the lethal removal of federally protected wolves. This didn't sit right with him, and that misalignment caused him to rethink what he actually wanted out of his career.Luckily, he had the tools he learned from the Successful Wildlife Professional to lean back on. He used the trainings on understanding the jobs and workplaces and personal exercises to uncover his own desires and strengths to re-identify his dream job. He combined this with the wildlife-specific protocols in the application section to write competitive cover letters and resumes for his new dream path. He now works as a Preserve Management Assistant for the prestigious The Nature Conservancy in northwestern Minnesota, helping to manage approximately 300,000 acres of tallgrass aspen parklands through tools like prescribed burns and seed spreading. Every morning he wakes up feeling like he's taking care of the animals he loves’ homes.Dylan also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work at the Nature Conservancy and what prescribed fire management actually looks like, including how burning 400 acres of land can transform a smothered wetland into one teeming with native wildflowers, frogs, fish, and water birds just a month later. After the interview, I break down the key takeaways so you can apply them to your own path, including why "proven experience" beats just experience, why knowing your end goal changes everything, and why the workplace you choose matters just as much as the work itself.Specifically, we talk about:Dylan's winding path from watching Steve Irwin as a kid in Cincinnati to managing 300,000 acres with The Nature Conservancy in MinnesotaHis experiences with the Peace Corps, the Cincinnati Zoo, wind turbine curtailment, spotted owl research, and USDA Wildlife ServicesWhat it felt like to be in a position that looked good on paper but isn’t aligned with your valuesHow you can still work in wildlife, but not feel like you are following your dream or having the impact you wantThe gap between the Steve Irwin version of a wildlife career and what most wildlife jobs actually look likeWhy sending 30 to 50 applications a season and taking the first offer isn't a career strategyWhat caused Dylan to break through and land his dream job on Mexican wolves within a couple of monthsHow Dylan used The Successful Wildlife Professional to get clear on what he actually wanted and land the Nature Conservancy jobHis tips for landing a job with The Nature Conservancy, including why seasonal positions are the right entry pointHow prescribed fire is used as a conservation tool, and what it's like to return to a burned unit a month later and find it thriving with lifeThe spotted owl courtship behavior story you didn't know you neededAnd more!Jumps Links3:28 Meet Dylan Karl4:50 Dylan's Winding Career Path5:24 Working at The Nature Conservancy6:26 Prescribed Fire & Conservation11:40 Dylan's Education & Background15:25 Peace Corps, Zoo Work & Master's Degree<
- Jul 28, 202639 min
What are Wildlife Research-Adjacent Jobs and Should You Take One?
What if I told you that most jobs in wildlife, conservation, and environmental science aren't directly in research? Would you be shocked? Well, it's true! And that's exactly what I talk about in this episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast. When most people think of wildlife work, they think of jobs in wildlife research. Those are jobs where you pose questions or objectives, and then collect, process, and analyze data to address them. But when you compare these jobs to all of the others in the realm of wildlife, conservation, and environmental sciences work, they are actually in the minority. I am calling these non- ”traditional” jobs wildlife research-adjacent work or even just wildlife-adjacent jobs, even though they relate to conservation and the environmental sciences, and some are definitely in the wildlife field. This was a topic suggested by members of my Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook group a couple of years ago because there is strong interest in them, so I thought it would be the perfect topic to take a deep dive into for the podcast because it is a big one. In fact, it’s WAY too much to cover in just an episode. This is by no means a full list, and there’s not enough time to go into them in-depth. For example, in my group mentoring program, the Successful Wildlife Professional, we spend at least 30 minutes for each job and organization type. I’ll walk you through the major categories: data analytical and processing roles like GIS, statistics, lab work, and computer science; communications, outreach, fundraising, and education jobs; wildlife health careers, rehab, and vet work; zookeeping; more environmental science roles in water quality, forestry, and agriculture; corporate sustainability positions; and outdoor recreation jobs. But first, before you even consider a wildlife-adjacent job, I ask you to question WHY you’re pursuing one of these jobs in the first place. Is it because it is truly a job you want? Or is it because you feel like you can’t get the job you really do want? In my experience working with individuals seeking these kinds of jobs, it’s usually the latter, and if that’s the case, I encourage you to go after what it is you really want because this is a fixable problem. I identify the two big reasons that people can’t get wildlife jobs in the first place and what you can do about them. Finally, I'll leave you with this: wildlife jobs have a reputation for being competitive and low-paying, but that's not universal, especially when you consider adjacent jobs. In a recent podcast interview with Patrick Rainey of Ducks Unlimited, we talked about some wetlands restoration jobs that are in demand and also well-paying. So if getting a high salary is important to you, you might want to explore wildlife-adjacent work. Specifically, we cover:What "wildlife-adjacent" work means and how it differs from traditional research careersThe two biggest reasons people fail to land wildlife jobs, and why that matters before you consider an adjacent pathWhen pursuing a wildlife-adjacent job is a smart move even if it’s not what you really want, and how to prevent it from becoming a trapAnalytics jobs, including GIS, statistics, lab work, and computer science rolesCommunications, outreach, fundraising, and education jobs, including science writing and ecotourismWildlife health careers like rehabilitation and vet workZoo and aquarium roles outside of research Environmental science jobs in water quality, forestry, agriculture, and moreMuseum workCorporate sustainability roles, even within companies you wouldn't expect to have a conservation focus, and how this can indeed make a big difference for wildlife Outdoor recreation jobsWhy some wildlife-adjacent fields are actually in high demandAnd more!Jump links:2:21 What Are Wildlife Research-Adjacent Jobs?4:25 Common Job Search Mistakes16:19 Data & Analytics Jobs21:39 Communications & Education Jobs28:19 Wildlife Rehab & Vet Careers30:51 Zookeeping & Aquariums35:11 Forestry, Agriculture & Museums37:05 Private Sector and Corporations37:47 Final Takeaways Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wra
- Jul 14, 202633 min
Do Zoos Help Conservation? Research, Ethics, and Careers
Do zoos actually help conservation? Contribute to wildlife research? Or are they mostly to entertain people? A couple of years ago, I did a podcast interview all about zoos, and I thought this would be a great topic for my own podcast due to the complexity. It’s not a straightforward answer…In fact, during the pandemic, when we were all watching The Tiger King, I did a whole blog post series on the ethics and research impacts of zoos, and these are still some of my most popular posts!Zoos were originally built purely for entertainment and were the only way most people could see an exotic animal. Placed in cement cages or concrete pits, animals were there to fascinate, but at the expense of their well-being. But as scientists and the public have learned more about animals, some zoos began to change. There are now high-quality institutions running genuine conservation science, captive breeding programs, and research on wild animal populations.But unfortunately, not all zoos have stepped up. There are still dilapidated roadside attractions where animals are locked in cement cages, might be forced to do unnatural and harmful tricks, or be bred to have a constant supply of babies for tourists to pose with for photos, and with nowhere to go once they get older. These zoos might do things that they call research, but really, this is a form of greenwashing so that they can use these small projects to justify their money-making operations from animals. On the flip side, I talk about how zoos genuinely contribute to conservation. For example, conducting real research on animals outside of their zoo population, providing genetic safety nets, and captive breeding animals like the black-footed ferret and golden lion tamarin from the brink of extinction. In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I’m going to walk you through zoos so that you can understand these differences, as well as offer some guidelines so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. I break down what separates a good zoo from a bad one, and the gray areas in between. I also address the harder question of whether zoos change people's minds. Many claim that zoos educate the public about wildlife, but just because they present information doesn’t mean that people take it in or take conservation actions…Those are much harder to change. I talk about a meta-analysis of 56 studies on visitor attitudes after zoo visits, plus how zoos like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are trying to close the gap between education and action with things like their sustainable palm oil initiative.And because this podcast is always about helping you build a wildlife career, I offer an overview of the different kinds of roles that you can obtain for employment, as well as my own behind-the-scenes experience, where I monitored elephant pregnancy hormones and worked on reproductive research for cotton-top tamarins.You’ll get a rundown of the career paths zoos actually offer: zookeeping, education, communications, research, and creative roles like videography, plus wildlife-adjacent jobs in finance, fundraising, and law. I also explain what kinds of zoo work won’t help your wildlife career, no matter how much hands-on animal experience it seems to offer.Specifically, we talk about:The history of zoos, and how they evolved from pure entertainment into institutions that can contribute to research, education, and conservationThe clear signs that separate an ethical zoo from an unethical one including enrichment, keeper barriers, and whether the public is allowed to touch wild animalsWhy Tiger King-style roadside zoos like Myrtle Beach Safari don't count as real conservation work, and how to spot greenwashing when a zoo claims to "support conservation"Why zoo populations serve as a safety net for species with critically small wild populationsReal conservation success stories through captive breeding, including golden lion tamarins and black-footed ferretsThe behind-the-scenes research zoos do that visitors never see, including my own experience monitoring elephant hormones as a Disney's Animal Kingdom internWhether zoos actually succeed at changing visitor attitudes and behavior toward conservation, and what the research saysThe strongest arguments against zoosAn overview of wildlife career paths at zoos: zookeeping, education, communications, research, creative and media roles, and wildlife-adjacent careers like finance, fundraising, and lawAnd MORE!Jump links:1:52 Tiger King during COVID4:59 History of zoos: from pure entertainment to modern standards7:28 Roadside zoos & Tiger King-style operations8:08 Signs of an ethical zoo: no touching wild animals, enrichment, barriers13:00 Captive breeding & maintaining geneti
- Jun 23, 202644 min
My WILDEST Wildlife Biologist Moments
As a wildlife biologist, you have incredible moments with animals that are nearly impossible for other people to experience. But you also do some pretty crazy, strange, and downright WEIRD things.In my 17 years working in the field across four continents and for a variety of organizations, I've had experiences that range from terrifying to awe-inspiring to disgusting. So in this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I'm sharing my top ten with you! Plus, you’ll get a couple of bonus memories. The show notes for this episode will be really short because I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll take you on my adventures from Central Africa to Central Missouri, and from the suburbs to remote mountaintops. You’ll learn about the most dangerous things that I did, the (multiple) scary animal encounters that I had, and how I felt like I was living in an Indian Jones movie at times.You’ll hear about encounters with lions and tigers and (no bears, sorry), but other animals!Specifically, I go over:My top ten moments in my 17 years of working as a wildlife biologist, including the scariest, most awe-inspiring, rare, weirdest, and moreThe unexpected things I never thought I would do as a wildlife biologistWhy wildlife biologists have to do some really weird things for researchHow my perception of what was scary changed over timePsychologically scary vs what’s really scaryThe scariest moment of my entire lifeAnd much, much more! I don’t want to give too much awayWhether you want to work in wildlife professionally, you're already in the field, or you simply love wild animals and wild places, you'll walk away from this episode inspired to go explore the natural world, whether it’s traveling to a new country or taking a deep dive in the green spaces in your neighborhood. Nature is everywhere and ready for you to explore. Jump Links:00:00 Intro and why I'm doing superlatives03:42 Most scary, early career09:17 Most awe-inspiring12:58 Most psychologically scary15:03 Feeling most like a wildlife biologist17:53 Most Indiana Jones21:55 Closest animal encounter23:59 Most rare and unique26:12 Most dangerous29:28 Weirdest32:21 Scariest moment of my life39:33 Bonus moment 141:42 Bonus moment 2Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world.🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg Full show notes:👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-155-wildest-wildlife/Let’s connect! 🤝✨Website: https://fancyscientist.com/Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiologyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientistThreads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientistBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.socialPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
- Jun 9, 202648 min
Don't Shoot the Messenger: Navigating AI in Wildlife Conservation Work
AI seems like it’s EVERYWHERE nowadays, and I know if you’re a conservationist like me, you’re concerned about its environmental impacts, and maybe even avoiding it because of them…But I recently read an article that scared the bejesus out of me. It basically stated: AI is here, and those who don’t know how to use it well, WILL be left behind. And then I realized, AI is already here, not just in our everyday lives (you can’t run a Google search without it), but it’s also here in wildlife work. Big conservation organizations all over the globe are using AI to document, assess, and analyze biodiversity to combat huge losses. Platforms like iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID, and Wildlife Insights all use AI models. And now I’m starting to see it pop up in wildlife job advertisements. Posts are now asking for applicants to know how to use and run AI effectively in wildlife work by integrating Claude and ChatGPT in their workflow and processes. This episode is NOT about the environmental impacts of AI, but rather that it’s that AI is here, hard to avoid to some extent, and that organizations are already using it. If you’re pursuing wildlife work, they are now also asking you to adopt it. And just like the article I read, I’m concerned that if you don’t adopt it, you’ll be left behind. So in this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I am talking all about AI in wildlife work. I'll be honest, I was a little nervous to record this one. It's a topic that can ruffle some feathers, and as you’ll learn in the episode, there is a lot of real pushback from not just environmentalists, but society as a whole. My goal in providing you with this episode isn't to tell you whether to use AI or avoid it. I’ll leave that up to you. Rather, it's to provide you with my perspective using 20+ years in wildlife work, and actually having worked on a large AI conservation project, on how it's already being used in nature and conservation research, how I expect it to be used in the future, and what it means for your career.In this episode, I walk you through how large conservation organizations are using AI with examples across different species and systems, and what it means for you as a job-seeker. Should you use AI to write your cover letters and resume? Is AI messing up the system so that your applications can’t get through? I’ll cover all of that for you.So if you're worried about what AI means for wildlife careers, or maybe you're curious and didn’t realize the extent to which it is being used in conservation research right now, or just want to get the competitive edge when it comes to wildlife, conservation, or environmental careers, this episode is for you. Specifically, we talk about:Real examples of how AI is being used in wildlife research right now, such as camera trap processing, animal behavior studies, in surveys, and moreHow AI is changing data processing roles and what this means for internships and field assistant positions. Will these jobs be gone? Why wildlife careers are becoming more quantitative and computer-heavy, and what skills to prioritizeHow AI is going to continue to affect wildlife jobs and careers at a variety of levelsHow AI is affecting the job application process. Should you use AI to write a cover letter? Resume? If AI is making it harder for your job application to move to the interview stageHow leaning on AI can actually hurt your career when it comes to job applications, networking, and standing outWhy it’s more important than ever to be authentic and do something different to separate yourself from others when seeking jobs What conservation organizations are starting to ask for when it comes to AI in wildlife jobsAnd more!Jump Links:00:00 Welcome and Topic04:25 AI Environmental Impact and Context08:54 AI Is Already Here in Wildlife Work12:57 AI Tools in Conservation17:31 Research Automation Examples22:00 Jobs and Skills Shift26:21 Data Heavy Future30:10 Regular Job Postings Seeking AI Skills34:18 Authenticity Over Automation for Job Applications43:26 AI in the Hiring Process47:02 Final Thoughts and Next StepsDream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife
About Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka
Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist.
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