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Career Opportunities in Ornithology

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Career Opportunities in Ornithology AMERICAN BIRDS SPECIAL REPORT CareerOpportunities in Ornithology Preparedby TheAmerican Ornithologists' Union }study of birds, encompasses bothRNITHOLOGY, professionalTHEand SCIENTIFIC amateur endeavors.All aspectsof the biology of birds--ecology, behavior, anat- omy, physiology,systematics and ev- olution, veterinary sciences, wildlife management, and conservation--are topicsof interest.This broad field pro- videscareer opportunitiesin research, education, and administration, but there is intense competition for the limited number of positionsavailable eachyear. At leasta Bachelor'sdegree is necessaryto be competitive at the entry level; more often a Master's de- greeis required, and a Ph.D. is essen- tial for advancedpositions. Aspiring ornithologistsshould understandthe kinds of jobs available and carefully study the various degreeprograms of- fered at collegesand universities.This article introduces these opportunities and requirements. Professionalornithologists are biol- ogistswho specialize in the study of birds. More than 2000 individuals in North Americawork in jobs involving ornithology. Most either teach in col- legesor universitiesor are employed by federal or state agencies. Some work in university or public mu- seums, and some work for private conservation and research organiza- tions or consultingfirms. Most ornithologists divide their time between teaching and research or betweenteaching and administra- tion. A museum curator also may teach at a university. In general,sala- riesfor professionalornithologists are quite low compared with those avail- able in the businessand professional world, but personal fulfillment and intense interest in the work provides another aspectof compensation. Flex- ible work schedules,field work in ad- Trackingreleased Burrowing Owls with radio receiver.Photograph/Ellen Lawler. Volume 43, Number I 29 [ BandingSemipalrnated Sandpiper chick Photograph/PainMiller Close-upphotography of btrd. Photograph/BarbaraClauson ! Ornithologistanalyzing spectrograph. Photograph/Cornell Laborator), of Ornithology. dition to office work, and the possi- spring from an interest in birds, par- well-trained former volunteers. bility of worldwide travel are among ticularly bird watching. Many orni- The OrnithologicalNewsletter, pub- the attractionsof an ornithologicalca- thologists first became interested in lished by the American Ornitholo- reer. birds at an early age. Becauseexperi- gists'Union and other major United encedapplicants for jobs have an ad- States ornithological societies--the vantage over newcomers,aspiring or- Cooper Ornithological Society, the Iio• to Prepare nithologistsof all agesshould try to Wilson OrnithologicalSociety and the take advantage of opportunities to Associationof Field Ornithologists-- gain field and researchexperience as advertisesjob opportunities,paid and Experience with birds volunteers or seasonal employees. volunteer. You can receivethis pub- Volunteers can obtain positions at lication as one of your membership Any backgroundof work with birds universitiesor colleges,state and na- benefitsif you join one of the spon- or wildlife is an asset, especially ex- tional parks, wildlife refuges, mu- soring societies.Joining regional or periencein the field observing,iden- seums, zoos, or field stations where state ornithological societiesor bird tifying, capturing,and marking wild ornithological researchis conducted. clubswill also help you to meet other birds. Ornithological careers often Employers often fill vacancies with individuals who share your interest, 30 AmedcanBirds, Spdng 1989 Buildinga wealherportin Alaska. Pholograph/PamMiller. BowdoinScientific Station. Photograph/1Vat Wheelwright. I Crewoff lo surveyArclic National WildlifeRefuge. Photograph/Pain Miller. and enable you to become involved ing," which review in depth institu- ences, and one or more foreign lan- in local projects. tions that offer specialized ornithol- guages.You should also seek oppor- ogical training. Collegesvary greatly tunities to be a research assistant and in what they offer. Study the courses to build relationshipswith severalfac- CollegeTraining available carefully; some curricula ulty members. A strong undergradu- emphasize theory while others are ate record, including enthusiasticrec- A list of United States and Cana- practical, some emphasize cell and ommendations from professors,will dian colleges that offer ornithology molecular biology while some stress be essentialfor acceptanceinto grad- coursesand advanced degreesin the organism and field biology. If you uate school. Try also to develop a biologicalsciences is provided in The identify a schoolof interest.contact a recordof publishingin scientificjour- College Blue Book, Volume I, pub- bird-oriented professor there to dis- nalsduring your undergraduateyears. lishedby MacMillan PublishingCom- cussfurther possibilities. As a graduatestudent, you will be- pany of New York. This standard As an undergraduate, you should gin to focus on advanced topics in source is available in most local lio take coursesin general biology, bo- biologyand to developyour ability to brades. American Birds periodically tany, zoology, mathematics,statistics, conduct independent research. You features articles on "Centers of Learn- biochemistry,computers, physical sci- shouldalso developteaching skills by Volume 43, Number 1 31 personallyimpress a faculty member with your potential and interest in graduate work. Your graduate studiesmay be di- rected initially by a faculty advisory committee, and then by a faculty member who agrees to be your re- search advisor. Each graduate pro- gram has different requirements for coursework and practical experience, and your program should be tailored to your individual needsand interests. Of primary importance, however, is that you should start on a Ph.D. re- search project as early as possibleto insure finishing in the normal 4-5 years, and you should develop a rec- ord of publishingin appropriatesci- entific journals. You may wish to work toward an advanceddegree in a field other than ornithology, so that you will have a greaterlikelihood of successduring a supervisinglabs for undergraduatebi- job search.The fields you may wish ologycourses. The choiceof a gradu- to considerinclude physiology,endo- While most ornithologistschoose to ate program may determine the ori- crinology, parasitology,systematics, study flying birds. avian paleontologists entation and perhapssuccess of your ethology,ecology, evolution, popula- find excitementin tracingthe histor.v oJ career. First, learn something about tion biology, genetics, paleontology, bird evolutionthrough time. Recent re- the reputation of programsand orni- toxicology, anatomy, computer sci- search has featured giant pseudo- thologiststhat interestyou. Many uni- ence, developmental biology, and toothedseabirds, vanished radiations of versities that offer advanced degrees wildlife management. Hundreds of flying birds with primitive, ostrich-like in zoology are recognized as centers jobs in thesefields are advertisedeach palates, and more. of ornithological,ecological. and wild- year in such periodicalsas Scienceor Field workfor the paleontologistal- life management excellence, which The Chronicle of Higher Education, ways holds the promise of discovery. meansthat a degreefrom one of these and more than a few of the leading Above, Storrs Olson and Aki Sinoto ex- institutionscan providejob leads.Sec- professionalsin suchdisciplines work amine bonespom an excavationin the ond, you should choose a graduate extensivelyor mainly with birds. At- Hawaiian Islands, where scores of school with a strong program that tending scientific meetings, such as uniquefossil speciesdisappeared after matches and complements your per- the annual meeting of the American Polynesian colonization upset the eco- sonal interests--in ecology.behavior. Ornithologists'Union, is an excellent logical balance. Below, Helen James or systematics.Frequent interactions source of information on job open- screenssediments to pick out tiny fossils with other graduatestudents with sim- at a site in the Hawaiian Islands. ings. ilar interestswill be the core of your New recruits to arian paleontolgv graduate training. Browsingthrough wouM have a choiceof many promising the scientificjournals (Table 1) at a Jobs in the Field researchprojects, because there are more college library is a good way to see fossilsof birds than qualified investiga- who is doingwhat. Studyingthese will torsto studythem. Photographs/Emilec inform you about current research Universiliesand colleges M. Mead and will enable you to identify both topics and graduate groups with the University professorsare responsi- greatestpersonal appeal to you. Fi- ble for teaching, conductingresearch, nally, visit the universitiesthat inter- securinggrants, and advisingstudents. est you most. By meetingthe faculty Normally, ornithologistsare expected and students. you can learn more to teach a variety of courses,not just aboutthe requirementsfor a Ph.D. in ornithology. University professors that program, the opportunities for must establish strong research pro- field work and researchassistantships, grams funded by grants, and train and, especially,how satisfiedthe ex- graduate studentsto do independent periencedgraduate studentsare with research.At smaller colleges,teaching the programand particularprofessors. responsibilities nearly always have Your chancesof winning one of the priority over research. limited annual openingsin any grad- New members
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