An ideal working environment involves a culture that expects and demonstrates civility and courtesy to all members of a professional community, regardless of identity and status. A culture of mutual respect will be free of abuse, and from retaliation against those who speak out against it. However, from Hollywood to Antarctica1, and from federal agencies2,3 to prestigious academic institutions4–6, the…

USDA Forest Service Experimental Forests & Ranges and Research Natural Areas As an early career ecologist, securing funds for new, field-based studies can be challenging.  One strategy is to collaborate on existing studies.  This type of collaboration is cost efficient because study establishment is already completed, allowing collaboration to focus on continuing the original objectives (e.g., re-measuring) or developing new…

Ecology Professional Development Webinar Series ESA – Early Career Ecologist Section presents a series of webinars for budding ecologists including late-stage graduate students, postdocs, early career faculty, non-academic ecologists, and beyond. “Authorship & collaboration” Dr. Stephanie Pau, Florida State University Monday, March 12th at 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST   “Advice for non-academic career paths for ecologists” Dr. Stephanie Yelenik,…

Call for ESA Mentors! Early Career Mentoring Program Ecological Society of America Meeting, New Orleans, 2018 If you are interested in becoming a potential ESA Mentor and will be attending the 2018 meeting in New Orleans, please fill out our Google form by April 16, 2018. Description: Conferences provide unique opportunities for biologists to interact with others in their field; however, these opportunities are…

Ecology is becoming an increasingly collaborative science, as seen in part by the increasing number of authors on ecology publications. As an early career ecologist, you’ve probably already worked in at least a few, and maybe many, collaborative research teams, whether your collaborators came from within your lab group, or institutions around the world. You’ve probably also already realized that…

It is clear that the role of scientists in society has shifted over the past few decades. With the explosion of communication methods and accessible information/disinformation at one’s fingertips, dissemination of science is falling more and more on the shoulders of the scientists themselves. There is no longer one way for the public to acquire scientific findings (science journalists) and…

There is an increasing nationwide demand for certification credentials in the environmental arena. More immediate climate issues, land-use concerns, and resource management challenges are all growing in presence. As a response, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) established its Professional Certification program which helps to identify and acknowledge ecologists who meet stringent standards in both scientific education and real world…

We live in politically charged times. As scientists, we are often affected by proposed federal policies, whether these impact the programs that fund our work, the people with whom we work, or our ability to effectively conduct our work. Here in the US, citizens can and should exercise their civic duties by voicing votes at the ballot box, or by…

# Early Career Ecologist Section – 2017 Business Meeting Notes   This year, we held our meeting jointly with the Student Section. The Student Section presented first. Below are notes only pertaining to the ECE Section portion of the meeting. Rob introduces the ECES and our officers and positions Defines “early career” – loosely, but highlights the approx. 8 years…

We are soliciting nominations (including self nomination) for Officer positions for the Early Career Ecologist Section of ESA. Voting will take place during our Business Meeting at ESA 2017, but your presence is not required. Please see the form linked below for more information and to submit nominations. If you are interested in running for a position or would like…

Early Career Ecologist Section organized & suggested events General resources: Kiddie corp: http://www.esa.org/portland/child-care/ Strategies for success: http://www.esa.org/portland/esa-annual-meeting-strategies-for-success/ Sat 5 Aug 2017 5p-9p: WK7: Saturday Night Special! Get a job: strategies and tactics for early-career ecologists in finding and landing your dream career. Registration fee: 30 USD. Doubletree Hotel – Idaho. Sun 6 Aug 2017 8a-5p: WK17 – Exploring diverse career pathways in…

Whether you’re finishing an undergraduate degree or a Ph.D., this can often be a dreaded question.  The decision of what comes next can be a daunting one.  Having recently completed a Ph.D., this question and decision process is fresh in my mind. Graduate school brought me to Alberta, Canada from the U.S., and I began my graduate school career studying…