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Advising for Fisheries and Choosing a Graduate Program

Advising for Fisheries and Choosing a Graduate Program. UWSP Student Subunit of the AFS September 18, 2013. Advising… What do I take?. Pretty well laid out for Fisheries majors Coursework will allow you to become a certified fisheries biologist with AFS

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Advising for Fisheries and Choosing a Graduate Program

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  1. Advising for Fisheries and Choosing a Graduate Program UWSP Student Subunit of the AFS September 18, 2013

  2. Advising… What do I take? • Pretty well laid out for Fisheries majors • Coursework will allow you to become a certified fisheries biologist with AFS • Try to take these courses in the order listed (or close to it) • Prerequisites • Order is done for a reason!

  3. GPA ≥ 2.5

  4. What is your end goal? This will help us determine courses, etc… May steer you towards or away from certain electives depending on the answer.

  5. The AFS Guide to Fisheries Employment • Editors • David A. Hewitt • William E. Pine, III • Alexander V. Zale • Ch. 3 – Pursuing Graduate Studies in Fisheries • Alexander V. Zale

  6. Is Grad School Necessary? • Simple Truth – an advanced degree is essentially required for full-time, permanent, entry level jobs • Acquiring a grad school position can be thought of as getting your first real job

  7. Before You Apply • When to go? • Working for a while – may get used to making money and never go back • School right away – may perform poorly • Qualifications? – GPA, GRE, experience, involvement • Degree in fisheries or related field • GPA - ≥ 3.0 (3.5 is better) • GRE - ≥ 300 (310 is better)

  8. Where to go and what to do? • Program title • “Fisheries” or other (biology, natural resources, etc.) • Degree? • M.S. – better for management jobs • Ph.D. – better for research, teaching

  9. Graduate vs. Undergraduate • Undergraduate • Focused on coursework • Graduate School • Focused on your research • Especially R.A. positions • Year-round • similar to a job; summers, breaks, nights

  10. Finding a Position • Internet, universities, peers • Whatare your interests? • Choose a position that matches • Projects and Assistantships • Funding?

  11. How do faculty select their students? • Sometimes a faculty will approach you! • Be known • Work in the field • Go to meetings; talk with professionals • Be involved with organizations (like this one!) • If not, • Assistantship announcements • Similar to applying for a job

  12. Evaluating a Position • Be selective (if possible) • Funding? • Respected professor? • Location? – be flexible and willing to move • Project interest? • Do not choose a project just because it’s the only one around if it doesn’t fit your interest • See Schultz and VanDeHey 2012 (and references within).

  13. Contacting the Faculty Member • Use email or regular mail to send an application packet • Include a concise, detailed letter describing your interests, career goals, and why you are best for the job • Research the faculty – reference in your letter • Proofread your letter! • Also include your CV, transcripts, GREs, and professional references

  14. Telephoning the Faculty Member • Wait a week or two • Use email to schedule a time • Address professor as “Dr.” until told otherwise • Be informed of the project – ask specific questions • Do some research on the topic • Show you have genuine interest • Do not assume the professor read all of your information – stress your strong points • Use your references to help you

  15. Visiting Prospective Advisor • Arrange a visit • Make sure you can get along with the advisor • Especially important for Ph.D. • Check out the school and its resources • Boats, vehicles, lab space, etc… • Talk with advisor’s current grad students! • Dress nicely

  16. Your Decision • If you get an offer • Give it careful consideration • Tell your advisor within a couple days • Complete paperwork, schedule a start date, make moving arrangements

  17. Finally… • Enjoy your grad school experience

  18. Assistantship Resources • www.fisheries.org • http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jobboard/index.htm • http://www.iaglr.org/jobs/ • http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/StudentSuccessCenter/Pages/careerLinks.aspx • http://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/academics/careers/index.cfm

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