Workshops, Breakfasts, Career Fair and Student Mentoring Lunch

20160227_2-584Breakfast Roundtable Discussions:

The Round Table (RT) Discussion was created in response to post-conference membership surveys calling for more events that facilitate small-group conversations about issues of interest to wildlifers.   We will have two breakfast roundtables at the 2017 Annual Meeting – one each on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.   You need to eat breakfast.  Why not eat with other wildlifers?!  Exchange ideas and cultivate productive professional relationships.

  • Requires separate registration fee, $15 per person per day
  • Wednesday, 7:30-9:30am:  How have modern day pressures changed how we approach conservation?
  • Thursday, 7:00-8:15am:  Plenary theme discussion, Invasive Species:  Globalization and Bad Decisions
  • Breakfast and discussions start promptly – please arrive at the scheduled start time

The goal (in addition to providing a great breakfast) is to facilitate conversations among wildlife professionals and students in which each can delve deeper into a current topic of interest in a small group setting. Objectives include: networking; increased awareness of important wildlife issues; and an opportunity for students and early career professionals to practice their communication (including listening) skills. Other potential benefits include the opportunity for mentoring and identifying potential future TWS workshops.

Wednesday Breakfast Roundtable discussion question:  Has there been, or should there be, a paradigm shift in how we approach conservation in light of modern day pressures like climate change, globalization, increased human development, etc.?

The Wednesday discussion will utilize The World Café method whereby participants will change tables over several discussion rounds which will allow for many conversations and different perspectives.  We will come together at the end of the breakfast roundtable to share highlights with the larger group.  Breakfast MenuWednesday:  Country Style Scrambled Eggs with Chives, Breakfast Potatoes and Smoked Bacon.  Served with Orange Juice, Coffee, Decaf, Tea Service, Breakfast Pastries Basket, Butter and Preserves.

Thursday Breakfast Roundtable discussion questions:  Do you distinguish between non-native, invasive, and naturalized species? If so, how does that translate to policy and action, or inaction, regarding treatment goals and/or methods?  What are the consequences of inaction, if any?  What should our management goals be regarding non-native, invasive, and naturalized species (plants and animals) when viewed through the lens of globalization?  

The Thursday breakfast participants will follow a more traditional format whereby attendees will have in-depth discussions by table group throughout the duration of the breakfast. The table groups will report back their discussion highlights to the larger group towards the end of the breakfast roundtable discussion.  Breakfast Menu Thursday:  Griddled Almond French Toast, Warm Vanilla Maple Syrup, Grilled Ham Steak.  Served with Orange Juice, Coffee, Decaf, Tea Service, Breakfast Pastries Basket, Butter and Preserves.

Let us know when you register if you have special dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate you with a special meal.  Note that the Peppermill cannot guarantee non-exposure to allergens used in their kitchen.

20160227-282Resume Workshops

  • Wednesday afternoon for Undergrads (3:30 pm to 5:30 pm), Thursday Morning for Undergrads REPEAT (10:30 am to 12:30 pm) AND Friday morning for MS/PhD Students (8:30 am to 10:30 am)
  • No additional cost

Resume Writing for Undergrads and Graduating Seniors: Barbara Peters (Career Counselor) will present Resume Writing workshops for undergraduate students on both Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. She will provide information and handouts about putting together an effective resume and cover letter targeted to positions (seasonal, internship, and professional) in the wildlife and environmental fields.  Joining Barbara this year is Kristina Hunt, the new wildlife Career Advisor at HSU.

Resume Writing for Graduate Students: Barbara Peters (Career Counselor) will also present a Resume/CV Writing workshop for graduate students (MS & PhD) on Friday morning. She will provide information and handouts about putting together an effective CV/resume and cover letter targeted to professional positions in the wildlife and environmental fields.  Joining Barbara this year is Kristina Hunt, the new wildlife Career Advisor at HSU.

In all three workshops, they will also provide a list of special skills that students develop as part of their undergraduate and graduate experiences (research techniques, field equipment & techniques, training, licenses, etc.), as well as interviewing tips and on-line resources for job hunting in these fields.

On Friday they will be available, on a sign-up basis, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm to critique CV/Resumes; but both are also willing to review emailed Resumes & CV’s after the annual meeting.

Barbara Peters worked at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, as a Career Counselor for 30 years. At HSU, she specialized in helping students (undergrads and graduate students) in the natural resources and sciences with career decision-making, gaining summer job & internship experiences, and professional job hunting upon graduation. Prior to her time at HSU, she worked for 5 years in the Career Planning and Placement Office at Idaho State University. She obtained her B.A. degree in Political Science (1971) and her M.A.Ed. in Student Personnel Work in Higher Education (1976) from Idaho State University. She lives in Eureka, CA with her fisherman husband and a Springer Spaniel, Maizey – they have raised 2 litters of Springer Spaniels over the years. Barbara has been presenting these workshops at The Western Section since 2007 and at the TWS Annual Meeting since 2009.

Kristina Hunt is a Career Advisor in the Academic & Career Advising Center for the College of Natural Resources and Sciences at Humboldt State University (HSU). Working as a Career Advisor, Kristina enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with students, inspiring them to explore their interests in wildlife and connecting them to fulfilling professions.    Kristina has 10 years of experience in Human Resources which has provided her with valuable insight from an employer’s perspective.  In her free time, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family and retreating to the family ranch.

20160227-633How ‘Not’ to Give an Oral Presentation Workshop

  • Thursday, 9am to 10:00am
  • No additional cost

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve, this informative (and likely humorous) mini-workshop will provide you with information and tips for presenting your research work to your peers. Instructor Jon Hooper will provide demonstrations on how to give an effective presentation….and how NOT to.  Dr. Jon K. Hooper, Professor, Calif. State Univ., Chico (Certified Wildlife Biologist, Certified Interpretive Trainer, Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology, 35+ years teaching communication workshops around the country).

 

20160227-760-1Career Fair & Student Professional Mentoring Lunch

  • Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Career Fair) & 12:00-1:30pm (Student-Professional Mentoring Lunch)
  • RSVP in advance required for the Student Professional Mentoring Lunch.  No additional cost for either event.

This is an opportunity for students to meet prospective employers and discuss careers in the wildlife sciences. Professionals from state and federal agencies and several consulting firms will be present.  All are invited to attend the Career Fair.  Lunch will be served during the mixer so please RSVP so we order the proper amount of food.  (Limited to 150 people).   Menu:  Salads, Deli Sandwiches, and Delicious Desserts.

20160227-727Job Interview Panel: I Got a Job Interview, Now What? – Getting Jobs in a Tough Job Environment

  • Friday, 10:30 – 11:30 am
  • No additional cost

The job interview process can be an intimidating experience for the job seeker. To help make this less mysterious, a group of 4-6 invited speakers from agencies, private consulting, and academia will provide insights into what can be expected during a job interview with their respective employers. Topics include how to prepare for the interview, how you should present yourself, and the range of potential questions you may be asked. In addition, an open discussion follows the presentations.  This workshop will be led by David Wyatt who teaches in the Biology Department at Sacramento City College and Patti Krueger who works as the Regional Threatened and Endangered Species Coordinator for the US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region.