Hands-on experience can be one of the most critical experiences for focuses your career aspirations. This page contains a number of links that may be helpful in finding temporary or permanent positions--some of these will be paid and others will be volunteer. Also, look for hints on being competitive here too.
What are you most interested in today?
Summer Research w/Govt Funding for Student Projects
Biology/Ecology Job Opportunities (Summer/Permanent)
Local Jobs State Jobs Federal Jobs
Volunteer Opportunities (International) Career Advice/Hints
University
of Arizona
Honors
College --internal and external opportunities
Undergraduate
research opportunity links --a nice compilation of links to local programs
Undergraduate
Biology Research Program --a multidisciplinary program with on- and
off-campus opportunities
Helpful
Links Primarily for Governmental Summer Research Experiences:
Long-term
Ecological Research Program
Minorities
in Marine Science Undergraduate Program
National
Science Foundation Student Research Opportunities
National
Institutes of Health Research Training Experiences
National
Institute of Health Student Opportunities
National
Istitute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
National
Institute of Mental Health Training Opportunities
Organization
of Biological Field Stations
Funding
for Specific Student Research Projects
American
Society of Mammalogists Grants-in-Aid of Research --another source
of potential research funds for students
American
Society of Mammalogists List of Grant Sources
Council
on Undergraduate Research Research Grants --a potential source of funds
for summer research experiences
Explorers
Club Grants --provide grants for conducting field research
Sigma
Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research --provides grants for conducting scientific
research
Helpful Links for a Variety of Summer & Postbaccalaureate Experiences:
Careers in Biology --an excellent compendium of links to various careers in biology
American
Society of Plant Physiologists --visit the job bank and info on fellowships
Archbold
Biological Station Jobs and Internships --positions in central Florida
Backdoor
Jobs --an ad site for a book but the site contains excellent sample
links
Baylor
University's SMART program for Biomedical Research Experiences
BioSpace.com
--biotech positions
Bio-tech
Jobs
Bioview
--primarily biotech positions
Bureau
of Land Management Environmental Education & Volunteers
ConsultMarine
(Jobs in Marine/Environmental Biology)
E-jobs
(Environmental Jobs)
Ecojobs
Environmental
Jobs
E-E
link
Environmental
Career Links
Environmental
Science and Policy Internships (Univ of Maryland)
The
EnviroNetwork Job Board
Entry-level
Job Seeker
Illinois
Natural History Survey
Institute
for Bird Populations
International
Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
JobSearch
--a general searchable site with summer and permanent jobs--right click
on links to open
This is an extraordinarily powerful site for summer, temp, and permanent
positions with a
plethora of international sources of jobs/internships
JobScience
--jobs in Biotech and Health/Med Professions
Microbiology
Jobs
Missouri
Botanical Garden
The
Nature Conservancy
Non-profit
Environmental Jobs
Orion
Grassroots Internship Network
Organization
of Biological Field Stations--many individual field stations offer
volunteer, expenses-
paid, paid positions-->this site provides links to stations
ScienceNet
--a comprehensive listing of opportunities in biology and the health professions
Sciencejobs
--a source for jobs in all disciplines of science
SCA-Student
Conservation Assistants
Society
of Wetland Scientists Job Site
SummerJobs.Com
Symbios
Inc. Job Board (Pharma/Biotech)
Teach
for America
Volunteer
for Science Program
Wildlife
and Fisheries Sciences Job Board (Texas A&M)
Wildlife
Rehabilitation Jobs and Internships
Zoo
& Aquaria Jobs--entry level jobs mixed throughout; scroll down
to wonderful internships
Zoo
& Aquaria Links--find a zoo/aquaria of interest and search its
personnel/employment pages
Local/Regional
Jobs:
Arizona
AgNIC --no jobs directly but a number of great links to agencies in
the west
Arizona
Department of Agriculture
Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality Jobs
Arizona
Department of Game and Fish
Arizona
Department of Water Resources
Arizona Jobs --general
job site for Arizona
Arizona Joblink --general
job site for Arizona
Arizona Healthcare
Jobs --jobs in health care
Arizona Sonoran
Desert Museum Volunteer Opportunities
Arizona
Sonoran Desert Musuem Jobs On-line
Arizona
State Parks
Arizona State University Main
Campus Jobs On-line
Arizona
State University West Jobs On-line
Biosphere 2 Jobs On-line
Northern Arizona
University Jobs On-line
Phoenix
Zoo Volunteer Opportunities
Official State of
Arizona Job Site --state of Arizona job listings
for all departments
Tucson-jobs --general
site for Tucson area jobs
University of Arizona
Jobs On-line
Pacific Northwest Jobs:
CascadeLink:
Jobs
City
of Portland--Metro Jobs
City
of Salem Jobs
City
of Keizer Jobs
Hatfield
Marine Science Center of OSU
H.J.
Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon
Local
Government Links in Oregon --use these links to access personnel departments
in many Oregon cities
Marion
County (Salem-Keizer) Jobs
Multnomah
County Jobs
Oregon
Coast Aquarium Jobs
Oregon
Coast Aquarium Volunteer
Oregon
Health Sciences University
Oregon
Museum of Science and Industry Jobs & Internships
Oregon
Museum of Science and Industry Volunteers
Oregon
State University
Oregon/Wash
Bureau of Land Management--Salem Office --scroll down to seasonal &
student programs
Oregon
Zoo Internships
Oregon
Zoo Jobs
Oregon
Zoo Volunteers
PIRG's
Salem's
Statesman-Journal Newspaper --search the classified ads for local,
state, and national adds
State
of Oregon Jobs
State
of Oregon--Dept of Fish and Wildlife
State
of Oregon--Dept of Forestry
State
of Oregon--Wildlife Volunteer Program
State
of Washington Jobs
State
of Washington--Department of Ecology
Volunteer
for Science Program
Yamhill
County Jobs
State
Jobs:
State
and Local Governments on the Web --an excellent compendium of links
that is a GREAT place to start
find the state of interest and check for departments that are appropriate
for your career interests.
Many states have various health, environment, natural resources/wildlife
& fisheries, agriculture,
parks & rec, forestry, and tourism departments that would employ biologists.
This listing enables you
to see all of the departments for a particular state. While some
states have individual listings under
each department, most have a job openings link via the Department of Personnel
or Dept of Human
Resources; these job listings contain all openings acrossed departments
and can be a great place to
look.
State
Department of Fish and Wildlife Links --a nice compilation of links
to state and federal agencies--
look under 'Related Links'
State
of Alaska Jobs
State
of Arizona--Dept of Game and Fish
State
of California--Dept of Fish and Game
State
of Colorado Jobs
State
of Delaware-Dept of Natural Resources
State
of Hawaii Jobs
State
of Hawaii--Dept of Land and Natural Resources (Volunteer Program)
State
of Idaho--Jobs (Permanent)
State
of Idaho--Dept of Fish and Game Seasonal Positions
State
of Maryland--Dept of Natural Resources
State
of Montana Jobs &
Job Descriptions--Dept of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
State
of Missouri--Department of Conservation
State
of Nevado Jobs
State
of New Mexico Jobs
State
of Oregon Jobs
State
of Oregon--Dept of Fish and Wildlife
State
of Oregon--Dept of Forestry
State
of Oregon--Wildlife Volunteer Program
State
of Texas-- Parks and Wildlife Job Board
State
of Utah--Dept of Natural Resources
State
of Virginia--Dept of Conservation and Recreation
State
of Virginia Job Links
State
of Virginia Job Listings
State
of Washington Jobs
State
of Washington--Department of Ecology
State
of Wyoming--Game and Fish Dept
Federal
Jobs:
Agricultural
Research Service--USDA
Americorps
FedOnline
Federal
Jobs (by State) --text files of the most recent federal jobs of any
kind by state
Forest
Service Temporary and Summer Employment
Forest
Service Volunteer Positions
Forest
Service Jobs
Long-term
Ecological Research Program
USA
Jobs (Federal Job Listing and Application)
International
Jobs:
Australian
Jobs --a massive job site
Australia
Jobs by Anancyweb
BUNAC
Working Adventures Worldwide
InterExchange
JobSearch
--a general searchable site with summer and permanent jobs--right click
on links to open
This is an extraordinarily powerful site for summer, temp, and permanent
positions with a
plethora of international sources of jobs/internships
Volunteer
Opportunities (International)--occasionally
paid positions too!
Amerispan
--volunteer/internships in Spanish-speaking countries
Association
for International Practical Training
Backdoor
Jobs --an ad site for a book but the site contains excellent sample
links
BUNAC
Working Adventures Worldwide
Caribbean
Conservation Corporation --research assistant & volunteer positions
tagging sea turtles
Institute
for International Cooperation and Development
Interaction
Volunteer Opportunities (International) --a nice compendium of links
InterExchange
International
Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
Jatun
Sacha--Opportunities in Ecuador
Peace
Corps
Sea
Turtle Protection Society of Greece
Volunteering
in Western Australia
Helpful Career Links:
Princeton Review --helpful information on many postbaccalaureate options
1. Remember
to keep your curriculum vitae (resume) active by gaining as much experience
as
possible even with short duration volunteer experiences.
Check with local government
agencies, parks, zoos, museums, universities, clinics, bio-oriented businesses
and
school systems for opportunities to keep active in biology. While
on campus, try to
gain experience working or volunteering on research projects of your professors
even
if this initially means washing dishes. Also, positions associated
with the writing center,
computer center, library, bio/chem lab preparation room, grounds crew,
etc. can
provide good experiences that demonstrate a commitment to a science oriented
career.
2. Choose
your courses carefully to demonstrate a rigorous undergraduate career--solid
coursework in biology/environmental science is assumed but supporting courses
in chemistry, math, physics, and computer science not only increase your
academic breadth but also demonstrate to your potential employer that you
have
had a rigorous undergraduate experience. Also, consider taking meaningful
support
courses in speech/media/rhetoric, writing, geographic information systems,
geology/geography, sociology, psychology, anthropology, politics, etc.
These
courses will provide a more well rounded appearance to your academic career
and
help you demonstrate to your employer that you are a serious developing
professional.
3. Join
a professional society/organization--each
subdiscipline of biology has a least one
and often many journals associated with it. Many of these journals
are supported
by a professional society. Members of that society get the journal
and newsletter.
These publications allow you to keep up with changes in the field and also
job openings while demonstrating that you are in fact interested in the
field. Most
societies have a special student rate as well. As your professors
which societies
are the most pertinent and 'student/recent graduate friendly'.
4. Carefully
craft your cover letter and curriculum vitae to demonstrate a logical progression
in your growth as a professional.--remember
first impressions can be last impressions.
Your letter should be the very best that you are capable of writing.
Be certain to
have a number of people who you trust to give you a brutally honest review
look over
and comment on your cover letter. Make use of the writing center
and career services
office.
5. No job is too small--try
to get your foot in the door and win over people with your
skill and work ethic. This may mean taking a suboptimal position
initially but
it gives you experience and perhaps the chance to obtain a more permanent
position.
View each position as an opportunity not as a demeaning position that is
not dignified
enough for you. In the latter case, you will not win anyone over.
6. Don't burn bridges--much
of your future success will depend upon your ability to work
with others. Sometimes these other folks can be difficult to work
with but
remember that there are two sides to every story. The professional
world it too small
and you need all of the help that you can get. Keep in touch with
valued colleagues
and friends after you leave.
Updated 28 August 2001