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Katie, Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.: Advize Career Interview
A career in environmental planning offers a dynamic path blending scientific expertise with interpersonal skills. This professional's journey began with fieldwork, transitioning to project management at Helix Environmental Planning, Inc.
The daily work involves diverse tasks, from coordinating projects and managing budgets to navigating complex interpersonal dynamics and mentoring colleagues.
Success in this field requires strong organizational and communication skills, a passion for environmental protection, and a resilient approach to problem-solving.
Entry-level opportunities exist, often starting with flexible, "as needed" roles that can lead to full-time positions. Experiential learning, as exemplified by a hands-on senior project, is invaluable.
While challenges include managing strong personalities and overcoming occasional biases, the rewards—contributing to environmental preservation and fostering a collaborative team—are deeply fulfilling.
This career path proves that a love for nature and a knack for solving puzzles can lead to a rewarding and impactful career in environmental planning.
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Job Title
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Katie Duffield
Biology Project Manager
HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Biology & Related Sciences
Professional Services
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans
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Career Path of a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental
Katie's career path began with a senior project involving "small mammal trapping and surveys," leading to a seasonal job at Oceano State Dunes. This experience, followed by a receptionist role at an environmental firm that transitioned into a biologist position, ultimately culminated in Katie's current role as a Biology Project Manager at Helix Environmental, where they transitioned from fieldwork to project management.
Main Responsibilities of a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
As a Biology Project Manager, Katie's main responsibilities include "making sure the project runs smoothly," managing tasks, tracking deadlines and budgets, coordinating with various stakeholders, and reviewing reports—all while maintaining meticulous organization. The role's dynamic nature, with "every day [being] something different," is a highlight of the position.
A Day in the Life of a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
A day for this biology project manager at HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. involves many meetings, phone calls for scheduling and problem-solving ("putting out that fire"), and report writing, along with proposal and budget management; the role also includes significant interaction with people, even requiring "a little bit of a personal therapist" aspect.
Most Important Skills for a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
Managing thirty projects concurrently requires exceptional organizational skills to ensure nothing "falls through the cracks," as Katie, a Biology Project Manager, explains. The ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including agencies and contractors, using "different terminology," and de-escalate tense situations are equally crucial for success in this high-pressure role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
Katie, a Biology Project Manager, finds the most rewarding aspects of her role to be "helping people and teaching people," sharing environmental knowledge both internally and externally, and tackling the daily "puzzle" of problem-solving. This highlights a career path that blends scientific expertise with a passion for mentorship and education.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning
Katie's biggest challenge as a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. is managing "the people," describing a workplace with "really big personalities" who can become "very passionate, very heated" leading to challenges in managing expectations and preventing problems stemming from misunderstandings. Successfully navigating these interpersonal dynamics is key to Katie's success in this role.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Environmental Industry As A Biology Project Manager
Katie's passion for environmental protection is the driving force behind her career as a Biology Project Manager; the work involves creating and implementing "mitigation measures that protect the environment" and "actively preserving and protecting the environment for future generations," a deeply rewarding aspect of the job.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Environmental Planning According To A Biology Project Manager At HELIX
Success in the environmental planning industry hinges on a blend of passions; individuals who "love nature" and enjoy fieldwork, like biologists conducting surveys, thrive alongside organized, puzzle-solving project managers who are equally passionate about environmental protection. The shared characteristic across roles is a dedication to the environment, with Katie noting that "we're all a little bit quirky".
What a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Environmental Industry
Katie, a Biology Project Manager, reveals a surprising aspect of the environmental industry: the significant, unexpected amount of "people management," including "handholding" and navigating diverse personalities, unlike the anticipated clear-cut tasks. This contrasts with the frequent ambiguity inherent in environmental work, where "nothing is black and white," a reality that some professionals, such as engineers, find frustrating.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Biologists
Helix Environmental Planning, Inc., and similar companies offer entry-level positions such as "as needed" roles providing flexibility and higher pay without benefits, often leading to full-time "Biologist 1" positions with on-the-job training. This approach allows individuals to gain experience and demonstrate suitability for full-time employment before committing to a permanent role.
Significant Career Lesson From A Biology Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning
Katie's most significant career lesson is that "it's all gonna be fine," even when facing seemingly disastrous situations; this perspective, stemming from the understanding that the consequences, even in environmental planning, rarely involve loss of human life, allows for a calmer, more effective approach to problem-solving.
College Experiences Helped A Biology Project Manager At HELIX Environmental Planning Succeed
Katie's Cal Poly San Luis Obispo biology degree, particularly "the learn by doing aspect" of the senior project involving fieldwork like "kangaroo rat trapping and…mis netting for birds," provided invaluable real-world experience, allowing for career exploration and a pivot from kinesiology to a fulfilling career in wildlife and environmental work. This hands-on approach helped shape career aspirations and demonstrated the importance of experiential learning in undergraduate studies.
How Identity Has Influenced a Biology Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning's Career
Katie, a Biology Project Manager, finds that while her workplace is generally understanding and empathetic, interactions with outside contractors often involve "misogynistic and chauvinistic opinions," requiring a thick skin and consistent, confident communication to overcome biases. This approach, built on "facts and proving them wrong," builds trust with clients and agencies, ultimately neutralizing attempts to undermine their work.
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