Over-educated and Underfunded
Weird, wacky and wonderful stories and sketches from biologists in the field.
By Vincent DiringerBiology is a fairly broad section of science encompassing everything from the study of cells to cladistics as well as conservation and astronomy. Such a vast multitude of majors also entails a similarly large and varied array of pathways leading towards them. All Paths Lead to Biology is a series by the Broke Biologists delving into the stories of how biologists have arrived to where they are and what drives them. All while she was growing up, Emilie Priou grew up wanting to work with wildlife, “I had two internships in zoos when I was in high-school, so I always kind of knew what I wanted to do,” While the French national was unsure as to where her interests would take her, she was certain that biology would be her calling card in the future, “I remember seeing a documentary teaser for a woman doing a wildlife show in Brazil and I just thought it was a dream job, you get to travel, educate people about nature and provide them information on how to protect it - and you get paid for it! It really was my dream job.” However, Emilie’s scientific journey was about to be confronted by France’s rigid academic structure. The education system in France is such that you must graduate high-school with a specialty out of Science, Socio-Economics, or Literature - and while the choices are scarce, they are also binding. Once you have graduated with a high-school diploma in one specialty, your tertiary options are confined to that track and are very subtly nudged towards France’s four main career lines: medicine and engineering (Science), business (Socio-Economics), and law (Literature). The apparent focus on medicine coaxed Emilie away from the Science track, opting instead for the Socio-Economic specialty, realizing only after graduation that most doors to a biology degree in France had been inadvertently closed by her decision. “They asked us too early for us to choose a specialization, had they asked a year later I’d have chosen the science track - I was stuck.” Facing a complicated tertiary path and still unsure about what she wanted to do, Emilie decided to take a gap year to help sharpen her focus “Don’t be scared of challenges...It's when you’re out of your comfort zone that you learn the most!” This led to the budding biologist accepting a six-month engagement with Sun Bear Outreach that was split between advocacy and communications in France, and field experiences in Indonesia. The time spent working with this rehabilitation and conservation center for sun bears would serve as her first exposure to the Wildlife conservation sector, and one that left a lasting impression, “It was hard work. I was only eighteen at the time and I learned so much and just grew a lot.” From then on Emilie started looking at options to pursue a wildlife or ecology-related degree in France but after finding very little on offer domestically, shifted her focus overseas, eventually being accepted at Liverpool John Moores University. As an undergraduate student, she found herself yearning for more experience in the field and soon chose to pursue internship positions in Malaysia at the Lang Tengah Turtle Watch as well as CorSeaCare in the Mediterranean. The current pandemic meant that the 21-year old had to finish her Bachelor’s back home in France, but also enabled her to start a new project, “Its called Conservation Journey. I wanted to use my experiences to help people who wanted to study in this field and are a bit lost. I want to inspire, inform, and unite - to have a positive impact on people.” Graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Conservation, the newly accredited biologist is seeking to pursue a Masters in Environmental Law while working on documentary filmmaking and learning about the wildlife trade. “Don’t be scared of challenges. If there is an opportunity you’re scared of but excited about, then that’s the best opportunity you can take. It's when you’re out of your comfort zone that you learn the most!”
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By Vincent DiringerAlong with physical ailments, mental health has increasingly become an area of interest for health professionals interested in noting how it can be impacted by climate change. Climate depression, or eco-anxiety as it is sometimes known, whilst not a recognized condition, has been defined by the American Psychological Association as "a chronic fear of environmental doom.", and globally, the idea of climate depression has grown. From locals’ fear of losing their ancestral lands to scientists grappling with the emotional toll of their findings to everyday people feeling powerless in the face of such widespread damage to the environment - climate change is having a marked effect on mental health. In recent years, several studies published in Nature have outlined how environmental grief has taken hold amongst a global population beginning to understand the impacts of climate change and witnessing its early impacts. Within the earth sciences community, climate depression has become a risk of the job, as scientists are asked to further investigate the potential impacts of climate change or report the latest findings. In areas facing the brunt of the environmental damage and its myriad of consequences, local populations are faced with the possibility of losing their natural heritage and abandoning their homes. At the same time, the public health sector is reporting more instances of climate-related depression coming from the population at large across all age groups. However, while feelings of helplessness and anxiety surrounding the state of the planet are on the rise, it has also been leveraged to drive more public involvement into government decision-making into environmental policy, with more and more people also willing to live more sustainably in order to save the environment. Fellow scientists, biologists, and nature lovers, you are not alone. While the news constantly cycles through the impacts of climate change, or as you read the latest publication describing the environmental damage being done across the world - there is also a lot of positive progress being made towards safeguarding the planet for future generations! It is always better to focus on the success stories and help build upon them. We have the power to choose the future we want, so let's all work together to make it happen and not let the negative stories weigh us down. Help and support are available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone, reach out to friends, family, coworkers or get in contact with a helpline.
By Vincent DiringerBiology is a fairly broad section of science encompassing everything from the study of cells to cladistics as well as conservation and astronomy. Such a vast multitude of majors also entails a similarly large and varied array of pathways leading towards them. All Paths Lead to Biology is a series by the Broke Biologists delving into the stories of how biologists have arrived to where they are and what drives them. “When I was 4 I wrote down in less than legible writing that I wanted to be either a footballer or a zookeeper,” recalls Josh Porter, “Technically you could say I’m both.” The 27-year old Mancunian is a Conservation Officer for Cempedak Island in Indonesia and has been involved in environmental work in the region since 2017. Far from the United Kingdom where his biology path started, Josh is more than happy to explain his journey, “The first step was beetles in my grandparents’ house in Northern Ireland, I’d manically collect them in jam jars. It really was a manic obsession. I was hoarding bugs and hiding them from my family. The second was Chester Zoo. It was right on my doorstep and I have ADHD and my mum needed to tire me out, so she’d let me run around like a crazy toddler three times a week for years." "I had one of those typical London-breakdowns...I found a summer position working in Costa Rica as a community manager that was more about giving back and it really helped change my perspective.” He was hooked. As Josh got older, his fascination for the natural world grew and peaked when he discovered David Attenborough’s documentaries after which he decided that he’d do his best to emulate Sir David’s career. To start things off, the budding biologist went to Cardiff University to do a Bachelor’s in Zoology which unfortunately didn’t live up to Josh’s expectations, “Instead of being like David I was wearing a lab coat and surrounded by petri dishes.” It would be a short-term affair, with the Englishman deciding to switch universities and majors to give him an opportunity to do more outdoor work and an easier path to graduation. Eventually earning a BSc in Geography from Manchester University, Josh found it hard to integrate the workforce, bouncing around between odd jobs before becoming a sales executive for a major company. “I had a company car, a wage, an apartment in London…” he continues, “After two years I had one of those typical London-breakdowns. I wasn’t passionate about sales and it was affecting my life so I decided I needed a change. I found a summer position working in Costa Rica as a community manager that was more about giving back and it really helped change my perspective.” The complete 180 reignited Josh’s love for the outdoors and his desire to work within the natural world, and after his stint in Costa Rica he accepted a position as a geographer in Singapore. His new position enabled him to work all across South East Asia, developing his knowledge and forming a network, which eventually landed him an opportunity to join the Nikoi Island Resort Group as a Guest Relations Officer on Cempedak. Recognizing the potential the position held, Josh called it quits on his Singapore experience and packed his bags to move onto the idyllic Indonesian island. “The position gave me way more time to pursue my own interests, I spent my free time learning more about nature and the local environment, and I just worked my way into becoming the island’s Conservation Officer.” Now spending his free time playing football with staff and making informative science videos on YouTube, Josh reflects on his path, “ No chance I would have this job without being in the region or working on my interests. Sometimes you just need to move and take a chance, you can always work your way towards a better position within a company.” Have an interesting path into biology yourself? Give us a shout in the comments at the end of the page, we'd love to share your story! Also make sure to check out Josh's video below! By Vincent DiringerBiology is a fairly broad section of science encompassing everything from the study of cells to cladistics as well as conservation and astronomy. Such a vast multitude of majors also entails a similarly large and varied array of pathways leading towards them. All Paths Lead to Biology is a series by the Broke Biologists delving into the stories of how biologists have arrived to where they are and what drives them. Science was an interest from a young age for Richard Frische, as the German-American biologist recalls, “I spent summers at the Kennedy Space Center, and at the time, the only TV programs in English in Germany were Discovery and National Geographic back when they had those amazing documentaries.” However, growing up with a penchant for science didn’t narrow down a singular pathway, “I was thinking of doing an undergraduate degree in biochem or maybe applied biology but I wasn’t sure about it, I was 19 and didn’t know what to do.” Still unsure about which field to focus his passion in, Richard turned to a different option: Germany’s Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ) or Voluntary Ecological Year. The FÖJ enables teenagers and young adults to spend a year working in a range of environmental and land management programs by helping them secure internships on both a national and international level. Intrigued at the prospect of working overseas within a scientific setting, Richard applied and sought to join a project in Chile, but ran into some administration issues that meant his year working a single internship turned into a year working in different settings. He spent some time at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve as a tour guide, before working as a zookeeper at an endemic species conservation project, and later as a park ranger at the Villarrica National Park. The work was as diverse as it was enriching and it helped him choose a path, deciding to return to Germany and study a Bachelor’s in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Göttingen. Richard spent his undergraduate years further exploring new scientific disciplines and courses, hoping to learn as much as possible from multiple different fields, “I kind of struggled with staying on track, I was focusing on courses that seemed interesting and took too many random, nice looking courses,” he recalls with a snigger. Upon graduation, he sought to dip his toe in the job market, but his resume generated little interest, “The situation in Germany is that traditional biology like biochem funnels you towards lab work directly from bachelor level, while for ecological positions you need a masters or doctorate to get anywhere. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say that my degree has been that useful apart from being a stepping stone towards something else.” Now 25 and working through an MSc. in Biodiversity & Sustainability at Leiden University, Richard has further narrowed his path, “My first masters internship focuses on ecotoxicology, and I’d like to make the second one on freshwater systems. In the future I’d like a stable job before going down the PhD route - I’m not sure what the specific topic would be, but it’ll involve freshwater and have some biodiversity elements.” Still working on his research throughout the pandemic-related closure of the university, Richard is also still feeding his addiction to gathering knowledge. Currently enrolled in several courses like biogeochemistry and an interdisciplinary honors course on human relationships with nature, Richard laughs, “I know I said I took too many different random courses during my bachelor’s, but I wouldn’t have made it where I am if I didn’t explore as many aspects of science as I did.” Have an interesting path into conservation biology? We'd love to share it! Leave us a message in the comments below.
By Vincent DiringerBiology is a fairly broad section of science encompassing everything from the study of cells to cladistics as well as conservation and astronomy. Such a vast multitude of majors also entails a similarly large and varied array of pathways leading towards them. All Paths Lead to Biology is a series by the Broke Biologists delving into the stories of how biologists have arrived to where they are and what drives them. “There was a weird shift between when I finished my Bachelors and before I started my Masters.” explains biologist Michał Pawlik, a graduate from the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław, Poland, Mike had been expecting to return to his alma mater to undertake a Masters in Biology after a gap year of living and studying in Japan but administrative issues delayed his academic plans. While facing several months of free time, the biologist decided to look for an internship overseas, settling with a six-month spell in Costa Rica facilitated by GVI. "I started thinking about my legacy and how I wanted to know that I did good by nature and the planet.” After a brief return to Poland, Mike packed his bags for a more tropical climate. Up until then he had never been exposed to conservation work, what it entailed or the impact it could have on not just local environments but also on him. “It was an eye-opening experience. I had always been in love with wildlife and animals, but living in a city you never actually get an idea of what wilderness is like. Costa Rica really opened up my eyes.” Now spending his time kayaking on rivers, leading beach clean-ups, monitoring sea turtles, and hiking through tropical rainforests spotting jaguar cubs, Mike’s perspectives began to change. “It all made me think about how secluded areas should be conserved and that wildlife should be protected. I started thinking about my legacy and how I wanted to know that I did good by nature and the planet.” While still contemplating his scientific future, the biologist would have the opportunity to work at the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve for a couple months, where he helped with bird surveys and worked directly with researchers in the field. This latest experience would serve to cement Mike’s mind, “I liked the freedom that the Cloudbridge Reserve offered and the work we were doing, it pushed me towards doing a biodiversity masters instead of just general biology.” Returning home with a fresh perspective, Michał sought to capitalize on his field experience and searched for a new Masters course, eventually settling on one in the Netherlands focusing on Biodiversity and Sustainability. Currently midway through his first year, Mike is more certain than ever in his decision to start a career in the conservation sector. While times are uncertain and he isn’t sure what the job market may look like by the time he graduates, he remains excited at the prospect of working towards protecting the environment, in whatever capacity that may be. Before the coronavirus pandemic ground the world to an impromptu halt, the twenty-six year old scientist was just days away from returning to Costa Rica and the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, this time as a researcher investigating frog populations in naturally regrowing and replanted forests. Want to share your path into conservation biology? Message us at the contact form below or share your story here to be featured in our upcoming posts!
By Kenny PeavyWe know that right now many families are missing out on vacations and school trips and are anxious to get back out there and explore the world. So, while you're cooped up at home, try taking a virtual field trip! With these virtual field trips you can explore new environments and learn about interesting wildlife all from your couch. Take a trip to one of your favorite U.S. national parks! National Park Service Want to see more virtual field trips? Check out this calendar to see virtual trips that you and your kids can join everyday! If you know about any other great virtual field trips leave us a comment below! By Vincent DiringerLondon-2020 Being told to self-isolate and stay home doing nothing can be both a blessing and a curse. You can work on projects you’d put off, call friends you haven’t spoken to in a while, eat an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s, or even pretend to be a caterpillar and cocoon yourself in a quilt while refusing to leave your bed until everything blows over. All of this seems eerily familiar as I recall my last experience in quarantine, and gear up to put my very professional quarantine survival skills to good use. Singapore-2018 Of all the colourful, interesting tropical diseases one can be infected with when wading through mangroves, hiking across volcanic islands through dense rainforest, and exploring leech-infested lowlands, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is definitely not what you’d expect. After a colleague contracted the disease whilst out in the field in Malaysia, they consulted a local doctor who assured them that HFMD was not contagious and that they were safe to continue working. Unbeknownst to us, the nation had been grappling with an outbreak for six months, and that the local doctor may have received his degree in a cereal box. The incredibly virulent disease spread throughout the field camp and the decision was taken to immediately repatriate the infected parties to our base in Singapore. Upon our return we informed local health services, and locked ourselves in our studio. Management gave us masks, gloves, food, medication, and we were paid to stay away from everyone and everything for at least a week. So how do biologists pass the time while in various amounts of boredom, covered in blisters and lumped together in a studio apartment? Definitely a lot of intelligent discussions on climate change policy and debates on efficient conservation methods, and not just staring longingly outside windows and facetiming each other from across the room while waiting for the day’s third Deliveroo order. While our isolation was exacerbating our moderate insanity, we understood that it was in the best interest of the population at large for us to stay home and binge Netflix. While HFMD is fairly contagious, it tends to only have mild symptoms, but a small proportion of people can develop very dangerous complications that could lead to death. After a week of isolation and loss of symptoms, we were cleared to leave our prison home and interact with other less insane people. ***
As the world continues to fight through the COVID-19 outbreak, we are being urged to stay home to reduce the spread of the virus and therefore help reduce the strain on our respective healthcare services. While we deal with cabin fever and missing our friends and family, it certainly beats the alternative of being infected ourselves or infecting others. Take it from some broke biologists who spent (an admittedly short) time in quarantine, stay home! Work on your hobbies, check in with your friends and family, play video games and eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s - we’ll be back outside in no time. Backyard Biology: 10 Global Citizen Science Projects to Keep You Occupied During Stay Home Notice3/29/2020 Nothing is worse for a field biologist than being told you’re not allowed to go outside. But this doesn’t mean science has to stop completely! In order to prevent future pandemics, we need to continue learning even more about our wildlife and its interactions with humans. So, while you’re isolating yourself or kids in the backyard or on a walk through the park, try your hand at becoming a scientist! Here’s a list of some projects that don't require in-person training, or prior experience to help get you started: USA Auburn Squirrel Project This project looks at squirrel feeding behavior in the fall and spring. Studies can be done in your own backyard and only take 10 minutes- making this a perfect activity for children! Be sure to familiarize yourself with the feeding behaviors listed on the website before you start collecting your data. Also check out: Assessing Vegetation Impacts from Deer (MN) Frogwatch USA Journey North Australia FrogID FrogID is a groundbreaking long term study of frog species diversity in Australia using an app on your phone. All you need to do is record what you see or hear with your phone and you’ll be in the running for top frogger. This project also hosts materials to help teach students about frogs and get them involved. Also check out: Bushfire Recovery Project The WingTags Projects Austria Red Admiral Migration Open to participants in most countries around Western Europe, the Insect Migration Project gathers data from citizen scientists on Red Admiral Butterfly migration. Familiarize yourself with these butterflies and start noting down when and where they appear-its as simple as that! Canada PlantWatch The organization NatureWatch hosts several backyard biology projects for the whole family to enjoy. With PlantWatch, track the dates that the flowering plants in your yard begin to bloom and submit it online. Just make sure that you know the names of your plants before getting started! Also check out: Project Nestwatch UK British Trust for Ornithology- Garden BirdWatch Here’s a project that you can do from the comfort of your own home! This project collects data from birds (as well as mammals and reptiles) that are using your property for any purpose. Make sure to check out the online instructions on how to submit data before getting started. Also check out: Xpolli:nation Project (Italy too) The Big Butterfly Count France Domestic Cats and Biodiversity Have an curious cat at home? Observe its behavior for science (not just your instagram stories)! Submit any interactions between your domestic cats and wildlife to help researchers understand their behavior. Also check out: Mayenne Nature Environnement Vivarmor Nature Germany Mueckenatlas Help to wipe out the pesky mosquitoes in your neighborhood while contributing to science! This project aims to identify mosquito species and understand more about their impacts on disease transmission in Germany. For this project you’ll need to be quick on your feet to catch each insect! Then you’ll submit your specimen to entomologists to learn more. India Hornbill Watch Help to collect valuable information about one of India’s move valuable seed dispersers. All you need to do is keep an eye out for these large and beautiful birds in your yard or neighborhood. When you see one, note it down and upload the info to the website- easy peasy. Also check out: Roadkills India New Zealand Kea Database If you ever see a kea, make sure to note it down and record it on the Kea Database! This easy to use database holds information on the whereabouts of these interesting birds to better understand their behavior and movements. You can also virtually name a kea to help support the conservation of this species. Also check out: Skink Spotter NZ Garden Bird Survey Singapore Shorebird Sighting Records Nparks and Nature Society Singapore host many different citizen science initiatives, but most require in-person training ahead of time. However, the shorebird sighting records project does not require any training. If you know your shorebirds, and spot them in the parks around your home, send off your data and assist in building the records. For more citizen science projects from around the world, check out your nearest university, museum or national park website! Or take a look at Zooniverse for more global projects that you can help from home. If you have a citizen science project that you’d like us to write about on our blog, send us an email! “So wait, this is you job?” A somewhat incredulous sixteen year-old asked me, “Like, you get paid to do this?”
I turned around with a sly grin, “Well, yeah, you didn’t think I was waking up at 7am everyday to take you guys on hikes and teach you field methods just for fun did you?” Don't get me wrong, working in environmental education is fun. Not only are you working in a sector that enables you to teach students about how various biomes work and contribute to the planet’s wellbeing, but you are able to do so while being immersed in the thick of it, sometimes literally (and yes I mean mud and poo). Mix that work environment with thousands of students of all ages and backgrounds discovering coral reefs, rainforests and mangroves for the first time, and you have a recipe for some amazing quotes and memorable events. Welcome to the Broke Biologists! A website hosting stories from broke biologists living around the world and looking to share their experiences with other broke biologists, well, around the world. No one goes into science for the money, but what we lack in funds, we make up for in great stories and interesting scars. |
About the AuthorsThese stories come from several biologists working in the field around the globe. Archives
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