This year’s career development program features a few unique first-time additions that we hope build on the value of past versions and encourage our continued improvement.
This year, Career Central returns to the exhibit hall as a 4-day event so we can provide additional services and explore new content areas.
- Monday, August 11: Career Fair
We’re dedicating Monday’s program to career navigation and job search support, especially given the large number of federal scientists in the area who may have lost their jobs. This will include employers with open positions tabling, and a program that includes:- Job search strategies & resources
- Elevator pitches & networking tips
- Managing career transitions
- Modifying your resume or CV for positions in different sectors
- Communicating transferable skills
- Exploring skills necessary for success in the private sector
- Starting your own consulting practice
- Building your credentials through continuing education & training
- Ask Me Anything hours with professionals in different sectors
Employers, see the prospectus for details on tabling!
- Tuesday, August 12: Career Exploration
Ecology is a highly diverse field, so it stands to reason that ecologists are employed in a highly diverse range of sectors! Join us to explore:- I got my bachelor’s, now what?
- Preparing a skillset for careers outside of academia
- A day in the life of a NEON scientist
- Careers in the U.S. Geological Survey
- Fellowships & awards to build a career in science policy
- Careers in:
- Environmental consulting
- Coastal & marine ecology
- Ecological restoration
- Climate adaptation
- Live one-on-one resume reviews and mock job interviews
- Wednesday, August 13: Success in Research & Academia
We’ll never stop doing what we can to support the careers of ecological researchers! This set will give you perspective and advice straight from the mouths of those who’ve done it before:- Thriving in graduate school
- Navigating the hidden curriculum
- Mentoring for early career researchers
- Preparing for a career at a research station
- Career pathways in conservation
- Open science and data repositories
- How to get a faculty job
- Live one-on-one CV reviews and mock job interviews
- Thursday: Ecology Education Showcase
To continue to grow adoption of our 4 Dimensional Ecology Education Framework and to better network with science educators in the area, we added a full extra day of programming. If you’re an educator, or even if you’re just curious about ecology and environmental education, join:- The annual Resources for Ecology Education Fair & Share (REEFS)
- Introduction to the 4DEE Framework
- Aligning your teaching with 4DEE
- Preparing for teaching at different institution types
- Incorporating field courses, outdoor education, flipped classrooms
- 4DEE in a secondary biology curriculum
- Innovative ecology education at a community college
- Drawing and art as teaching tools
- Teaching ecology & sustainability in a humanities curriculum
- Networking with science educators from across the country!