College Experiences Helping a Staff Biologist at Blackhawk Environmental Succeed
Sarah, a Staff Biologist, reflects that undergraduate experiences did not fully prepare them for their current career, necessitating a "year of living in Australia to get sorted out". While a job developed "interpersonal skills", the interviewee recommends undergraduates prioritize "research or volunteer opportunities in their specific field", even if unpaid, for better career preparation.
Career Exploration, Interpersonal Skills, Volunteer Opportunities, Research Experience, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sarah Toback
Staff Biologist
Blackhawk Environmental
University of California, Los Angeles- 2015
Macquarie University- Master of Conservation Biology
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Research and Development (R&D)
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Gain practical work experience: Even unrelated jobs build valuable interpersonal skills and workplace experience.
2. Seek out field-related opportunities: Volunteer work or unpaid research in your area of interest can be incredibly beneficial.
3. Consider additional experiences: Sometimes, additional time or experiences beyond undergraduate studies (like a gap year) are needed to define career goals and gain clarity before entering the field.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I don't think I did enough in undergrad to set myself up for this career. That's why I needed a year living in Australia to get myself sorted out.
But having a job in general, even if it wasn't related to this field, was very useful. It helped with interpersonal skills, learning how to work with coworkers, and understanding how having a boss and that dynamic works.
I wish I would have had more time or put more emphasis on doing research or volunteer opportunities in my specific field, even if it was unpaid.