Anyone on here work for F&W out in the field?

Well, going into grade 12 this year, I'm looking into getting a job in Fish and Wildlife. I don't want to be a CO, rather a biologist or a technician. I was wondering if anyone on this board does this for a career, and could give me some information about it.

Counsellors at school don't have much of a clue, they can't tell me what sort of degree I need to pursue. I am in the clear with marks. I have every science and am as far in Math as I can go, so I should be o.k.

Thanks to anyone who replies.

[mskrecek]

My intention was to get into F&W as well, but that was back in '94. It was a bit easier to get in back then with respect to having a technical diploma vs a degree. However, unless you're prepared to go through the effort of getting at least a biology based degree you won't have a chance of landing a permanent full time job. You're chances of landing a job is increased that much more if you are going to pursue it to the masters level. A technical diploma won't cut it nowdays. There is hugh competition for any biologist job with the govt. I did the tech diploma route as I wanted to be a F&W officer but, as has been the case for the last decade, there is limited govt money going to that dept which makes it difficult for folks to do their work as well as in successional planning. I got into forestry by complete accident through the seasonal wildland firefighting program and am now a permanent full time forest officer. Its a great job as well, fires, helicopters, air tankers, tons of field work. I get the same if not more renumeration as any of the F&W folks because of our commitment to our wildland fire component. You will have a greater chance of getting on with an environmental consulting company and fullfilling your biological sciences degree that way, gaining experience, before you have a chance with the govt. Good luck in you career pursuits.

[wapiti11]

Chronomid;
I support the advice given by Mskrecek, it is very tough to get a job in wildlife or fisheries, but there are alot of Natural Resource management opportunities in Forestry, Water, Soil and public land management. Landscape reclamation is one areas that will be a high demand vocation in the near future as the Tar Sands get rolling. Check online with the Faculity of Agriculture University of Alberta regarding Resource management degrees. Also if you enroll in a degree program try and get as much summer experience as you can in the area you decide to go into.
Good Luck!
wapiti11

[Tako]

I work as a fish tech for the ACA. Shoot a PM if you have any questions

Originally Posted by Tako

I work as a fish tech for the ACA. Shoot a PM if you have any questions

This is actually who I was interested in working for, I support the ACA and F&W 100%, but I am particularly interested in the projects the ACA does. I will PM you, I was hoping I'd find someone.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

I just saw this Thread I was going to say message Tako , Or Rifle , he is also another go person to talk to as hes , in that area , also Johninab might be able to give you some assistance .

Thanks John.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

10-4 boss man .

[DoUCWhatIC]

Chironomid, If you want a career with Fish & Wildlife or with the ACA then go for it! Don't give up your aspirations because it is too hard or too competetive! Don't settle for a job with Forestry or Lands if that isn't what you want. Both Fish & Wildlife and the ACA are suffering from staff recruitment and retention in this economy. There are more opportunities than ever before! Talk to several people in the field, set your goal, then go get it!

[Moults]

Hey Chironomid

I currently work in forestry as a wildland firefighter and I have to say that it is the most satisfying, rewarding and fun work I could ever dream of. That said, I also agree that if F&W is your cup of tea, then go for it. Here's what I suggest: If you're going for SRD or ACA as a wildlife biologist or related position, you will need to get a degree or two. Helitack firefighting is a seasonal job, and probably 50% of the folks I work with attend university in the winters and fight fire from late april to late august. The money's great and the work is fantastic--ideal for a university student.

On the school end of things, I have a couple of good friends that I attended university of Lethbridge with that are in the fisheries biology field. One completed his masters last year and just got a position with ACA in Peace River. He absolutely loves his new job. He also enjoyed every minute of his schooling, so it's not like school is a period of "biting the bullet" in pursuit of bigger and better things, rather, it's just a component of your career that is just as enjoyable as the rest of it.

My other friend got a bachelors if Neuroscience and decided to do his masters in fisheries biology. He is still working on it, and spends two days a week fishing in crowsnest pass for research purposes--not a bad gig--and that's just the school part. He loves it so much he's now gonna take it even further and go for his Ph.d.

Anyhow, hope those stories provide a bit of inspiration and if you're interested in the summer job firefighting (a great way to get your foot in the door with SRD, I might add, as F&W and forestry are closely related), check out: http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/wildfires/e...firecrews.aspx

HAC1H is my position and there's always the option of rappel; HAC1R

Hope this helps! If you want more info give me a PM

Moults

Thanks for the info guys! I'm into Fish and Wildlife, but I also have an interest in Forestry, I never realised there was so much opportunity in the forestry sector either. I'm just a little confused about what sort of degree I'd need as a fisheries biologist/technician, and where I would go to take that. Some are saying U of C, some are saying LCC, and some are saying U of L.

[shedcrazy]

Great career choice! I am a U of L grad and a biologist for the Federal government. If your interested in the F/W biolgoist jobs, I would recommend a degree as they are converting their positions from wildlife techs to wildlife biologists. There are several good programs out there and I would recommend the 2 and 2 programs. Two years at NAIT, Lakeland college or Lethbridge College and get your diploma. Then finish it off with a degree at either U of A, or U of L (they are set up for the transfer program). That way you get the field experience and the paper! It also lets you have the option that you can work for a few years for expereince or have better summer jobs.
Anywyas my 2 cents!
S

Thanks shedcrazy. This is what I was looking at, probably go to Lethbridge for 2 years and finish a degree at a university. Do they not allow this at the U of C? Maybe they don't have it, I'm not sure.

How is the pay? I'm not too concerned, I'd rather do something I like than do something just for the money. I'd like to enjoy getting up in the morning.

[Tako]

Originally Posted by Moults

Hey Chironomid

I currently work in forestry as a wildland firefighter and I have to say that it is the most satisfying, rewarding and fun work I could ever dream of. That said, I also agree that if F&W is your cup of tea, then go for it. Here's what I suggest: If you're going for SRD or ACA as a wildlife biologist or related position, you will need to get a degree or two. Helitack firefighting is a seasonal job, and probably 50% of the folks I work with attend university in the winters and fight fire from late april to late august. The money's great and the work is fantastic--ideal for a university student.

On the school end of things, I have a couple of good friends that I attended university of Lethbridge with that are in the fisheries biology field. One completed his masters last year and just got a position with ACA in Peace River. He absolutely loves his new job. He also enjoyed every minute of his schooling, so it's not like school is a period of "biting the bullet" in pursuit of bigger and better things, rather, it's just a component of your career that is just as enjoyable as the rest of it.

My other friend got a bachelors if Neuroscience and decided to do his masters in fisheries biology. He is still working on it, and spends two days a week fishing in crowsnest pass for research purposes--not a bad gig--and that's just the school part. He loves it so much he's now gonna take it even further and go for his Ph.d.

Anyhow, hope those stories provide a bit of inspiration and if you're interested in the summer job firefighting (a great way to get your foot in the door with SRD, I might add, as F&W and forestry are closely related), check out: http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/wildfires/e...firecrews.aspx

HAC1H is my position and there's always the option of rappel; HAC1R

Hope this helps! If you want more info give me a PM

Moults

I work with CJ. Small world

[Tako]

Like I mentioned in my PM, the problem with the "2 and 2" programs is that a lot of people get lazy and love fieldwork so much they can't justify going back to University for those last two years, which, in the end, matters the most. Nothing says job security like MSc or, to a lesser extent, BSc

[Moults]

Tako
Small world indeed! Make sure you say hello for me!

[Tako]

"Hey Clay, some guy from the interwebs name of moults says hi!"

"Whaaaaat!?"

[Browning]

Hey i want to do the exact samething i have just completed my first year of college at lethbridge i am going to do the 2 and 2 thing and hopefully work for tha ACA as well. I have two older brothers they both work for consulting firms one is a wildlife biologist and the other is a fisheries tech. They both have degrees one form UFA and the other from UFL

"the problem with the "2 and 2" programs is that a lot of people get lazy and love fieldwork so much they can't justify going back to University for those last two years, which, in the end, matters the most. Nothing says job security like MSc or, to a lesser extent, BSc"

I'm already in contact with you Chironomid but if anyone else is looking at this thread I'd like to add one statement. The technical school will be an asset over just a degree. A lot of people go the university route then enter the market with a bunch of knowledge but absolutely no ability to apply it in the field. I know people that did both routes. Everyone with the technical school have jobs, as for the university graduates, well not so much.
Also instead of 2 and 2 you can do the 3 and 1.5 in Lethbridge. The Fish and Wildlife Tech is definitely a great program after RRM and the extra semester is well worth it just for the different hands on experience it provides. If a person puts in the effort any route will work, some may just help you get that all important first job a bit quicker.

[Brodie Buck]

I am a fisheries biologist in the private sector. I just want say I did the 3 at LCC and 1.5 at U of L. Best thing I ever did. LCC is recognized as one of the top tech. schools in Western Canada. The transfer to U of L was great. In my experience, folks that just do the University route are less employable than those that have both.

Alright. I think I will apply for LCC's RRM, then take the Fish&Wildlife Technology course, then cap it off at the U of L. Where would a person go to pursue their masters?

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Chironomid

Alright. I think I will apply for LCC's RRM, then take the Fish&Wildlife Technology course, then cap it off at the U of L. Where would a person go to pursue their masters?

I don't know but I got's me a ged and I drive a truck..a big truck..lol..

I gets me $45 an Hour..lord tunderin" jesus...me thinks I need a raise..

Cans you help me out??

[duffy4]

Originally Posted by Jester

I don't know but I got's me a ged and I drive a truck..a big truck..lol..

I gets me $45 an Hour..lord tunderin" jesus...me thinks I need a raise..

Cans you help me out??

NO DRINKING AND POSTING!!!!

[7 REM MAG]

duff i dont think its a matter of drinking i thinks its not thinking, but if anyone on heres read another of his posts they will see a common occurance of stupidity

Originally Posted by Jester

I don't know but I got's me a ged and I drive a truck..a big truck..lol..

I gets me $45 an Hour..lord tunderin" jesus...me thinks I need a raise..

Cans you help me out??

I think I speak for everyone when I say What The %^&!

[Tako]

$45/hr of which $30/hr is fuel costs.

You can do a masters at U of L. But you're bascially forced to do a masters somewhere other than where you did your Bachelors. UNBC WEEOO!