Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka

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Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist. Hit subscribe and let’s change the world!

  1. Jul 14

    Do Zoos Help Conservation? Research, Ethics, and Careers

    Do zoos actually help conservation? Contribute to wildlife research? Or are they mostly to entertain people?  A couple of years ago, I did a podcast interview all about zoos, and I thought this would be a great topic for my own podcast due to the complexity. It’s not a straightforward answer… In fact, during the pandemic, when we were all watching The Tiger King, I did a whole blog post series on the ethics and research impacts of zoos, and these are still some of my most popular posts! Zoos were originally built purely for entertainment and were the only way most people could see an exotic animal. Placed in cement cages or concrete pits, animals were there to fascinate, but at the expense of their well-being.  But as scientists and the public have learned more about animals, some zoos began to change. There are now high-quality institutions running genuine conservation science, captive breeding programs, and research on wild animal populations. But unfortunately, not all zoos have stepped up. There are still dilapidated roadside attractions where animals are locked in cement cages, might be forced to do unnatural and harmful tricks, or be bred to have a constant supply of babies for tourists to pose with for photos, and with nowhere to go once they get older.  These zoos might do things that they call research, but really, this is a form of greenwashing so that they can use these small projects to justify their money-making operations from animals.  On the flip side, I talk about how zoos genuinely contribute to conservation. For example, conducting real research on animals outside of their zoo population, providing genetic safety nets, and captive breeding animals like the black-footed ferret and golden lion tamarin from the brink of extinction.  In this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I’m going to walk you through zoos so that you can understand these differences, as well as offer some guidelines so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. I break down what separates a good zoo from a bad one, and the gray areas in between.  I also address the harder question of whether zoos change people's minds. Many claim that zoos educate the public about wildlife, but just because they present information doesn’t mean that people take it in or take conservation actions…Those are much harder to change. I talk about a meta-analysis of 56 studies on visitor attitudes after zoo visits, plus how zoos like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are trying to close the gap between education and action with things like their sustainable palm oil initiative. And because this podcast is always about helping you build a wildlife career, I offer an overview of the different kinds of roles that you can obtain for employment, as well as my own behind-the-scenes experience, where I monitored elephant pregnancy hormones and worked on reproductive research for cotton-top tamarins. You’ll get a rundown of the career paths zoos actually offer: zookeeping, education, communications, research, and creative roles like videography, plus wildlife-adjacent jobs in finance, fundraising, and law. I also explain what kinds of zoo work won’t help your wildlife career, no matter how much hands-on animal experience it seems to offer. Specifically, we talk about: The history of zoos, and how they evolved from pure entertainment into institutions that can contribute to research, education, and conservationThe clear signs that separate an ethical zoo from an unethical one including enrichment, keeper barriers, and whether the public is allowed to touch wild animalsWhy Tiger King-style roadside zoos like Myrtle Beach Safari don't count as real conservation work, and how to spot greenwashing when a zoo claims to "support conservation"Why zoo populations serve as a safety net for species with critically small wild populationsReal conservation success stories through captive breeding, including golden lion tamarins and black-footed ferretsThe behind-the-scenes research zoos do that visitors never see, including my own experience monitoring elephant hormones as a Disney's Animal Kingdom internWhether zoos actually succeed at changing visitor attitudes and behavior toward conservation, and what the research saysThe strongest arguments against zoosAn overview of wildlife career paths at zoos: zookeeping, education, communications, research, creative and media roles, and wildlife-adjacent careers like finance, fundraising, and lawAnd MORE! Jump links: 1:52 Tiger King during COVID 4:59 History of zoos: from pure entertainment to modern standards 7:28 Roadside zoos & Tiger King-style operations 8:08 Signs of an ethical zoo: no touching wild animals, enrichment, barriers 13:00 Captive breeding & maintaining genetic diversity 15:10 Reintroduction programs & minimizing human contact 16:37 Personal experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom (elephant endocrine research) 20:31 Zoos & education: Do they change attitudes toward wildlife? 23:47 The argument against zoos 25:49 AZA accreditation & evolving zoo standards 27:56 Careers in zoos overview 33:02 Outro & upcoming free training: The Four Faux Paws Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… 🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-156-zoos/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    Do Zoos Help Conservation? Research, Ethics, and Careers

  2. Jun 23

    My WILDEST Wildlife Biologist Moments

    As a wildlife biologist, you have incredible moments with animals that are nearly impossible for other people to experience. But you also do some pretty crazy, strange, and downright WEIRD things. In my 17 years working in the field across four continents and for a variety of organizations, I've had experiences that range from terrifying to awe-inspiring to disgusting. So in this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I'm sharing my top ten with you! Plus, you’ll get a couple of bonus memories.  The show notes for this episode will be really short because I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll take you on my adventures from Central Africa to Central Missouri, and from the suburbs to remote mountaintops. You’ll learn about the most dangerous things that I did, the (multiple) scary animal encounters that I had, and how I felt like I was living in an Indian Jones movie at times. You’ll hear about encounters with lions and tigers and (no bears, sorry), but other animals! Specifically, I go over: My top ten moments in my 17 years of working as a wildlife biologist, including the scariest, most awe-inspiring, rare, weirdest, and moreThe unexpected things I never thought I would do as a wildlife biologistWhy wildlife biologists have to do some really weird things for researchHow my perception of what was scary changed over timePsychologically scary vs what’s really scaryThe scariest moment of my entire lifeAnd much, much more! I don’t want to give too much away Whether you want to work in wildlife professionally, you're already in the field, or you simply love wild animals and wild places, you'll walk away from this episode inspired to go explore the natural world, whether it’s traveling to a new country or taking a deep dive in the green spaces in your neighborhood. Nature is everywhere and ready for you to explore.  Jump Links: 00:00 Intro and why I'm doing superlatives 03:42 Most scary, early career 09:17 Most awe-inspiring 12:58 Most psychologically scary 15:03 Feeling most like a wildlife biologist 17:53 Most Indiana Jones 21:55 Closest animal encounter 23:59 Most rare and unique 26:12 Most dangerous 29:28 Weirdest 32:21 Scariest moment of my life 39:33 Bonus moment 1 41:42 Bonus moment 2 Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… 🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-155-wildest-wildlife/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    My WILDEST Wildlife Biologist Moments

  3. Jun 9

    Don't Shoot the Messenger: Navigating AI in Wildlife Conservation Work

    AI seems like it’s EVERYWHERE nowadays, and I know if you’re a conservationist like me, you’re concerned about its environmental impacts, and maybe even avoiding it because of them… But I recently read an article that scared the bejesus out of me. It basically stated: AI is here, and those who don’t know how to use it well, WILL be left behind.  And then I realized, AI is already here, not just in our everyday lives (you can’t run a Google search without it), but it’s also here in wildlife work. Big conservation organizations all over the globe are using AI to document, assess, and analyze biodiversity to combat huge losses. Platforms like iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID, and Wildlife Insights all use AI models.   And now I’m starting to see it pop up in wildlife job advertisements. Posts are now asking for applicants to know how to use and run AI effectively in wildlife work by integrating Claude and ChatGPT in their workflow and processes.  This episode is NOT about the environmental impacts of AI, but rather that it’s that AI is here, hard to avoid to some extent, and that organizations are already using it. If you’re pursuing wildlife work, they are now also asking you to adopt it. And just like the article I read, I’m concerned that if you don’t adopt it, you’ll be left behind.  So in this episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I am talking all about AI in wildlife work. I'll be honest, I was a little nervous to record this one. It's a topic that can ruffle some feathers, and as you’ll learn in the episode, there is a lot of real pushback from not just environmentalists, but society as a whole.  My goal in providing you with this episode isn't to tell you whether to use AI or avoid it. I’ll leave that up to you. Rather, it's to provide you with my perspective using 20+ years in wildlife work, and actually having worked on a large AI conservation project, on how it's already being used in nature and conservation research, how I expect it to be used in the future, and what it means for your career. In this episode, I walk you through how large conservation organizations are using AI with examples across different species and systems, and what it means for you as a job-seeker. Should you use AI to write your cover letters and resume? Is AI messing up the system so that your applications can’t get through? I’ll cover all of that for you. So if you're worried about what AI means for wildlife careers, or maybe you're curious and didn’t realize the extent to which it is being used in conservation research right now, or just want to get the competitive edge when it comes to wildlife, conservation, or environmental careers, this episode is for you.   Specifically, we talk about: Real examples of how AI is being used in wildlife research right now, such as camera trap processing, animal behavior studies, in surveys, and moreHow AI is changing data processing roles and what this means for internships and field assistant positions. Will these jobs be gone? Why wildlife careers are becoming more quantitative and computer-heavy, and what skills to prioritizeHow AI is going to continue to affect wildlife jobs and careers at a variety of levelsHow AI is affecting the job application process. Should you use AI to write a cover letter? Resume? If AI is making it harder for your job application to move to the interview stageHow leaning on AI can actually hurt your career when it comes to job applications, networking, and standing outWhy it’s more important than ever to be authentic and do something different to separate yourself from others when seeking jobs What conservation organizations are starting to ask for when it comes to AI in wildlife jobsAnd more! Jump Links: 00:00 Welcome and Topic 04:25 AI Environmental Impact and Context 08:54 AI Is Already Here in Wildlife Work 12:57 AI Tools in Conservation 17:31 Research Automation Examples 22:00 Jobs and Skills Shift 26:21 Data Heavy Future 30:10 Regular Job Postings Seeking AI Skills 34:18 Authenticity Over Automation for Job Applications 43:26 AI in the Hiring Process 47:02 Final Thoughts and Next Steps Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… 🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-154-ai-in-wildlifework/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    Don't Shoot the Messenger: Navigating AI in Wildlife Conservation Work

  4. May 26

    Not Accepting No! Succeeding at Wildlife Careers with a Disability: Interview with Grace O’Dea

    Do you want a wildlife, conservation, or environmental sciences career, but feel that it is not physically possible for you? Do you have health challenges or a condition that limits you and are worried that it prevents you from working in a field that is notoriously demanding? Or do you feel discriminated against because of these circumstances?  You are not alone! I have heard from aspiring wildlife biologists all over the world that they struggle with conditions like chronic fatigue, anxiety, sight disabilities, strokes, ADHD, and more and are concerned that they can’t work in this field, which they love so much. I, myself, struggle with an autoimmune condition that greatly slows down my metabolism, and has made me heavily fatigued at key points in my career. Well, in this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I’m showing you that it’s possible for you with an interview with a young conservationist who blew me away with her unstoppable attitude.  When I first heard Grace O’Dea speak on a Green Jobs webinar event, I was so inspired by her story that I knew I had to have her on the podcast. Grace has cerebral palsy, and at 17, she was told by someone that her lack of upper-body strength meant that she could never work in an animal career. But that’s not where her story ended… In fact, she used that “no,” as ammunition to propel her wildlife career. Today she is a permanent educator at a major aquarium and has previously worked in physically demanding jobs at farms and zoos, proving that naysayer wrong. This week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast is all about NOT accepting no as an answer when it comes to pursuing your dreams or whatever conservation goal you want to accomplish no matter what your circumstances are. If you want to work in the wildlife field, you'll want to listen for sure, but this episode is for everyone. No matter what you were going after in your career or even your life, the lessons that Grace shares will apply to the seemingly impossible situation that you are going through.  Through our conversation, you’ll learn how Grace navigated her path by refusing to let her disability define her. She didn't let being questioned stop her; instead, she purposely built her physical strength at the gym. She didn’t hide her disability either. Rather, she voiced her concerns to employers so that they could find ways to work with her condition rather than around it.  Grace shares her experience working with everything from hedgehogs to wild deer, and how she uses positive messaging and hope to impact the public rather than the typical conservation messages of doom and gloom. She explains how she handles the physical aspects of her current and past jobs and why being "ballsy" and confident is your greatest asset, even if you are naturally shy or introverted. And the results of her boldness are incredible! Grace started as a seasonal employee, but she didn't just wait for it to end and look for something else. Instead, she took the initiative to email her bosses and ask if her position could be made permanent. And it worked! She now has a full-time permanent position as a conservation educator delivering daily talks to aquarium guests and teaching the next generation about ocean conservation. Grace also excels at networking. She lets us in on her strategies, which led to her being invited as a guest speaker for her university’s graduation and connecting with influencers in the green jobs space. We talk about how she leverages LinkedIn by active and intentional posting, using hashtags strategically, and attracting professionals to her profile through sharing her personal and professional achievements.  I also noticed that Grace is a fancy scientist herself. We discuss her fancy side and how she owns her personal style and unique comedic value to be an unconventional, yet highly effective educator.  After the interview, I break down key take-home points for you to apply to your own career or situation, including sharing resources helping you adopt Grace's unstoppable mindset, using LinkedIn as a search strategy, and why you should never be afraid to ask for a job extension or a permanent role. If you ever thought you couldn’t pursue conservation because of a health condition, your background, or a lack of financial resources, Grace is living proof that it’s all possible! After listening to this episode, I know you’ll walk away filled with hope, and ready to face the challenge in your career head on. Specifically, we talk about: Grace’s career path from graduation to securing a permanent educator role at an aquariumWhat it was like for Grace to work at various kinds of animal organizations and places including farms and zoosMagical wildlife moments from Grace’s career such as stampeding deer and circling buzzards, and humbling moments like collecting hedgehog poopWhy you shouldn't "play it safe" if you have a passion for animals and want to pursue this kind of workThe critical importance of a resilient mindset when facing physical or psychological barriers in the fieldHow to navigate a wildlife career while managing a disability or other health condition including when and how to disclose health conditions and get accommodationsHow to ask for what you want in wildlife work The power of LinkedIn for attracting employers and why posting once a week can change your career trajectoryGrace’s dissertation research on positive vs. negative messaging in conservation campaignsHow to give the public hope through small, actionable steps like beach clean-up And more! Jump links: 03:53 Meet Grace O’Day 06:02 Told No at 17 07:54 Finding Her Why 08:42 Aquarium Career Path 11:55 Turning Seasonal Permanent 16:14 Impact Through Education 19:20 Navigating Cerebral Palsy at Work 25:52 Networking With LinkedIn 29:50 LinkedIn for Wildlife Careers Masterclass 31:33 Hedgehog Sanctuary Stories 34:08 Being A Fancy Scientist 35:25 Advice And Future Plans 38:00 Key Takeaways And Wrap Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… 🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-153-grace-odea/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    Not Accepting No! Succeeding at Wildlife Careers with a Disability: Interview with Grace O’Dea

  5. May 12

    Age is Just a Number! Breaking into the National Park Service in Your 50s: Interview with Lynda Moore

    Do you have a lingering desire to start a wildlife career, but feel like it might be too late for you? Or maybe you’re working on a wildlife career, but it isn’t working for you, and time just keeps passing by? You got the degree, but then life got in the way, and you even had to get a non-wildlife job to pay the bills… Well, I’m here to tell you that whether you’re 25, 45, or older, a wildlife career IS still possible for you (and yes, I get by 25-year-olds who think they are too late), and this week’s Fancy Scientist podcast episode really proves it! I interviewed Yellowstone Park Ranger Lynda Moore about her journey from Radiologic Technologist to environmental educator and what it’s really like to work in one of the most famous protected areas. Lynda first spent 28 years working in healthcare before deciding to return to school in 2017. She graduated with her degree in wildlife conservation biology in 2021, just two weeks before her 58th birthday! Now, she is working in one of the most coveted locations in the world for wildlife job seekers: Yellowstone National Park. Through our conversation, you’ll learn how Linda navigated the challenges of being a non-traditional student and successfully landed a position with the National Park Service. She didn't let age hold her back or fears about ageism in the workplace. In fact, she embraced her past experiences and used them to her advantage, leveraging her work as a Radiologic Technologist to her new career while focusing on new strategies to land her a park service job.  You’ll learn that Lynda emphasized networking and learning from others, building relationships with professors and graduate students while getting her degree. She shares how she willingly raised her hand for new opportunities, including counting bee behaviors in a lab and driving across the country for internships. You’ll also get an insider’s perspective on the fascinating, and sometimes dangerous, reality of working in America’s first National Park. Lynda discusses her role as an interpretive ranger, educating the public on everything from the park’s unique thermal geology to the "Big Five" wildlife species in the United States. She shares eye-opening stories about "babysitting" a 2,000-pound bison and the constant struggle to keep tourists at a safe distance from unpredictable wild animals. I also asked Lynda about the technical side of landing a federal job. She credits her success to having a mentor help her navigate the notoriously difficult federal resume process. You’ll learn about the new federal resume requirements and how she transitioned from the "healthcare brain" to the "biologist brain," and how she carried over the work ethic and supervisory skills from her previous career that made her a standout candidate. After the interview, I break down the take-home points that you can apply to your own journey, regardless of your age. I explain how previous "unrelated" career experience can actually contain a variety of transferable skills for wildlife jobs, how to network with people who are decades younger (or older) than you, and how seeking outside help from professionals can help you navigate something like the frustration of the federal application system. If you’ve ever told yourself you’re "too old," that "it’s too late," or that "employers won't hire someone my age," Linda is living proof that the National Park Service, and the wildlife field at large, needs your experience and your passion! And even if you aren’t working towards a wildlife career, in this episode, you’ll be fascinated by what it’s like to work inside one of the world’s most iconic parks.  Specifically, we talk about: Linda’s steps from a 28-year career in radiology to becoming a Park Ranger at YellowstoneWhat it’s like to go back to school in your 50s and graduate alongside your own daughterHow starting your career later in life can work to your advantage: using "adult money" and maturity can be a competitive edge in wildlife workBehind-the-scenes of working at Old Faithful and educating the public on thermal safetyWhy "interpreting" wildlife behavior is actually a safety talk in disguiseFascinating animal facts and the emotional impact of seeing a wolf in the wild for the first timeLynda’s most impactful animal moment with Lucy the Orangutan at the National ZooPractical tips for federal resumes and navigating the shift from long-form to two-page limitsThe reality of seasonal life in temporary wildlife workThe importance of using informational interviews to learn the "hidden" requirements of jobsWhy you should never underestimate yourself before you even apply for a jobThe mindset shift needed to overcome imposter syndrome as a career switcherHow protecting the natural world starts with educating a single tourist or child Jump Links: 02:56 Meet Ranger Linda 04:13 Career Switch Story 05:36 Internships And Mentors 07:38 Landing Yellowstone Job 08:24 Seasonal Life Logistics 10:41 Ranger Duties Explained 13:32 Visitor Questions And History 15:24 Expectations Versus Reality 18:08 Wildlife Safety Lessons 19:52 Craziest Tourist Encounters 25:04 Bison Babysitting And Bears 27:44 Choosing Biology Later 32:23 Networking in School 34:09 Ageism and Confidence 37:06 Federal Resume Tips 39:40 Unforgettable Animal Moments 43:52 Teaching Predators Balance 45:39 How to Get Hired 49:32 Key Takeaways Wrap Up Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… 🐾 Get my FREE Weekly Wildlife Wrap-Up where every Friday, I share strategies on how to stand out and get hired in wildlife, conservation, and environmental careers using a framework that's landed my students permanent jobs, internships, and more: https://stephanieschuttler.podia.com/wildlife-wrap-up 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-152-lynda-moore/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    Age is Just a Number! Breaking into the National Park Service in Your 50s: Interview with Lynda Moore

  6. Mar 23

    From Passive to Proactive: Making Your Wildlife Career Happen When You Feel Stuck: Interview with Makeela Mogomolla

    How do you actually make your wildlife career happen when you feel like you’ve missed your window? You got the degree, maybe even got some temporary jobs here and there, but you felt like you weren’t getting traction. Or couldn’t see how it could all come together. And time just keeps ticking away… That’s exactly how my former Successful Wildlife Professional student, Makeela Magomolla, was feeling before she joined my group mentoring program. Even though she was young at 25, the world was taken over by a pandemic, halting opportunities for young wildlife professionals left and right, and she felt powerless to move forward in her wildlife career and contribute to making a difference in the world. But in this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, you’ll discover how we turned that around for her! After graduating in 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic, when the world shut down, Makeela found herself in a lab job, feeling like she had missed her chance and questioning if she was “too old” for a wildlife career. Today, she is a Master’s student leading acoustic surveys and collaborating directly with state DNR biologists on the animals she is most passionate about: bats. Through our conversation, you’ll learn how Makeela moved out of a “dark space” by taking the advice to be intentional. She didn’t just wait for luck; she went on a “rampage” to find opportunities. You’ll learn how she started to make things happen for her: she volunteered in wildlife rehabilitation and reached out to a campus group called the “Bat Brigade” that had been dormant since the pandemic. She even took the preemptive step of paying for her own rabies vaccinations, an expensive and painful preventative needed for bat work, to ensure she was ready for any hands-on opportunity that came her way. You’ll hear how Makeela mastered networking through cold emailing professionals she wanted to work with and learn from. Despite being shy using the methods and templates provided in the Successful Wildlife Professional program, she reached out to graduate students, professors, and other researchers.She even connected with a former podcast guest of mine, Dr. Seth Magle, which led to an introduction that helped her find a graduate advisor and a project she truly cared about. The results of her networking were so effective, that when she was invited to an important meeting with bat specialists in the area, she realized that she already had met everyone in the room prior! Her dedication even led to a generous donation from a sponsor, allowing her to start her first semester of graduate school while she applied for teaching assistantships. Makeela shares the details of her Master’s research, which includes analyzing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources data sets, tracking rehabilitated bats post-release, and studying the effectiveness of community science as a tool in wildlife research, as well as the importance of science communication and getting the community involved in nature right where they live. You’ll walk away from Makeela’s story excited about what is possible when you decide to be intentional about your career path. Makeela proves that even when you are at your “wits’ end,” small shifts in mindset, strategy, and more led her to incredible results! Finally, after the interview, I break down the main points Makeela covered and how you can apply them to your own career, including the importance of mindset, why you should lead with the job you want rather than the degree, and how to build a community in this field, no matter your background. Specifically, we talk about: Makeela’s detailed journey from a 2020 pandemic graduate to her first week as a Master’s studentHow she handled the “quarter-life crisis” and the feeling of powerlessness when job opportunities were unavailableWhy she chose to be intentional about specializing in bats after a senior project and an experience in RwandaHow she revitalized the “Bat Brigade” on campus and transitioned from a volunteer to a leader of the program – even after she graduated from college and was no longer a student!How a cold email to a podcast guest resulted in an introduction to her current graduate advisorThe way her networking efforts connected her with state DNR biologists and the local wildlife rehabilitation communityThe story of how a sponsor provided a donation that let her start her Master’s research.The elements of her research, including acoustic data analysis, post-rehab tagging, the social science of community science, and moreHer perspective on being a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) professional in the field and the value of groups like BIPOC birding organizationsHow she integrated her interests by joining working groups and following labs on social media to find opportunitiesWhy she shifted from wanting to work abroad to finding value in investing in the community and wildlife of the MidwestAnd MORE! Jump links: 01:13 Meet Mikayla And Big Lessons 04:34 Early Passion For Wildlife 05:55 Pandemic Graduation Detour 09:23 Quarter Life Crisis 11:05 Choosing Bats On Purpose 14:30 Bat Brigade Leadership 17:22 Networking Into Grad School 23:40 Funding And TA Path 25:59 Masters Project Overview 29:45 Citizen Science Impact 30:36 Career Goals and Tanzania 32:08 Local Nature Appreciation 36:19 Gorillas and Wildlife Highlights 40:20 Being BIPOC Outdoors 44:29 Networking and Cold Emails 48:23 Host Recap and Resources Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… ✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/ 🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/ 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ 🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-151-makeela-magomolla/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    From Passive to Proactive: Making Your Wildlife Career Happen When You Feel Stuck: Interview with Makeela Mogomolla

  7. Mar 14

    No Experience, No problem! Building a Wildlife Career from Scratch: Interview with Christina Weber

    Christina Weber did what most aspiring wildlife professionals think is impossible: she got every single offer she applied to with absolutely NO EXPERIENCE! How did she do it? That’s what this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast is all about.  After listening to this episode, I know you’ll walk away inspired, ready to take action, and make things happen in your career so that you can work towards having a real impact on the species that need our help. I invited my former Successful Wildlife Professional student, Christina Weber, to come on the podcast because I have been so impressed by all the success she has achieved despite having no wildlife or environmental experience to get her foot in the door. When Christina began in the program, she was running a dog-walking business and had volunteered with horses, and needed help breaking into wildlife, conservation, or environmental work. Now she is working on a NASA-funded project and getting ready to start a summer internship at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC! Throughout our conversation, you’ll learn exactly what Christina did to gain traction fast in her career. She took the program’s advice and ran with it. And it WORKED. It worked so well that I honestly can’t believe her results!  She took experience into her own hands and started with citizen and community science (including regularly conducting eBird surveys). She took advantage of and attended one-off hands-on volunteer opportunities such as beach cleanups, seal monitoring, and horseshoe crab monitoring to start somewhere and meet people in the field. You’ll hear how Christina maximized opportunities to network, including creating her own connections by cold emailing professionals with the templates provided in the Successful Wildlife Professional program, even though she describes herself as shy and introverted. Her networking efforts led to referrals, informational conversations, and REAL job opportunities. The results were incredible: Christina applied to four seasonal positions over the summer and was offered every one of them. She was even offered an AZA-accredited aquarium internship that she didn’t apply for! The employer received her resume through a cold email and decided to put it in the internship pile! Christina was shocked when she received a call asking if she wanted to interview. Christina shares that now she’s conducting research through a NASA-funded New Jersey Space Grant Consortium project on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine copepods. She explains how she designed a project connected to her ultimate goal of working with whales by studying what whales eat. When facing obstacles, she didn’t let anything stop her, and she describes being “scrappy” in her community college setting by building equipment, culturing phytoplankton, and managing the costs and logistics of an ambitious project. We also talk about how much wildlife work involves working with people. Christina was even able to bring her past dog-walking experience into her wildlife work! She shares that she educated dog owners on responsible beach behavior around endangered piping plovers, using common ground from her dog walking business to communicate conservation messages effectively. After the interview, I offer you take-home points that you can apply right away to your own situation right now, no matter who you are, including how to volunteer without giving up your whole life or going into debt, using citizen/community science to build legitimate experience, get on LinkedIn strategically, and focus on quality over quantity in your job applications. If you ever thought you couldn’t do something because you didn’t have enough experience, go to the right school, or know the right people, Christina is living proof that you can do it on your own! There are NO excuses! Specifically, we talk about: Christina’s exact steps from being a dog-walking business owner to working on a NASA-funded research projectWhy citizen and community science (like eBird surveys) can be a powerful way to build a real wildlife experienceSimple ways to gain hands-on exposure through short-term volunteer opportunities, such as beach or river cleanups, restoration projects, or other community service daysHow strategic networking and cold emailing professionals can open doors, even if you’re shy or introvertedHow Christina used networking to get referrals, informational interviews, and unexpected job opportunitiesWhy she received job offers from every seasonal wildlife position she applied forThe surprising story of how she was offered an AZA-accredited aquarium internship she never applied for!An overview of her research on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine copepods through a NASA-funded projectHow she designed her research to align with her long-term goal of working with whales by studying their food sourcesHow she stayed resourceful in a community college setting by building equipment, culturing phytoplankton, and managing research logisticsWhy communication and working with people are a major part of wildlife careersPractical advice on volunteering without sacrificing your entire scheduleHow to use LinkedIn strategically to build relationships in the wildlife fieldWhy focusing on quality over quantity when applying for jobs can dramatically improve resultsThe mindset shift needed to stop waiting for perfect qualifications and start creating opportunities Jump links: 03:52 Christina’s Nontraditional Start 06:24 First Steps in Wildlife 07:22 Landing Job Offers 10:30 Volunteering That Counts 13:24 Networking for Introverts 16:12 LinkedIn Career Boost 17:49 Cold Email Aquarium Win 19:15 Dream Job and Research Path 21:13 NASA Microplastics Project 27:01 Finding Your Field Fit 29:23 Humbling Field Moments 30:29 Protecting Piping Plovers 31:06 Finding Common Ground 32:28 Career Wins and Strategy 35:01 Horseshoe Crabs and Policy 38:42 Wildlife Moments and Whales 40:13 Program Lessons and Mindset 51:05 Post Interview Takeaways Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… ✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/ 🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/ 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ 🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/fancy-scientist-podcast-150-christina-weber/ Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    No Experience, No problem! Building a Wildlife Career from Scratch: Interview with Christina Weber

  8. Mar 8

    From Flour Beetles to Forest Elephants: My 20 Year Wildlife Career

    I’ve recently gained a lot of new followers, so for this week’s episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I wanted to share with you my vast experience that I’ve had working as a wildlife biologist for nearly twenty years, so that you can fully understand what this field is like. My career has taken me all over the world, and I’ve been on all different kinds of adventures: from hiking the deserts of Utah to the top of Mount Kenya, and from flour beetles to forest elephants. I have worked across four different continents and in almost every type of organization that you can think of: the government, zoos, museums, universities, and alongside nonprofits. In this episode, I break down each one of the positions that I have had in the past, telling you what they’re like and what I did, but more importantly, how I felt about the position emotionally, mentally, and what it did for my career. This is a comprehensive, yet fun overview of my journey. It’s you and me hanging out, sharing the raw reality of these different places, so you can see the truth behind the resume. I do not shy away from discussing real challenges, like navigating toxic work environments and the “sink or swim” nature of graduate research. Chances are, you’ll find it refreshing how I don’t hold back, but also share how I pulled through. I started my wildlife career officially in 2003 when I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree. My first position was an internship with the Bureau of Land Management in St. George, Utah, where I searched for water catchments to help wildlife combat drought and started some preliminary bat research in the Grand Canyon. This got me started in my wildlife career, but this was a challenging internship, and I almost quit! I’m so glad I didn’t because that experience led me to a dream internship at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where I worked in a glass-walled lab doing endocrine research on the captive animals there, including African savanna elephants and the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin monkey. This was a total 180 from my experience in the desert! I loved Disney World and spent my days catching tamarin poop and helping to monitor elephant pregnancies. It was a supportive environment that showed me how much I loved combining science with outreach. From there, my journey took me to Kenya as an intern for the School for Field Studies, which was also enriching but challenging. Again, I almost quit! But here I showed that I could work at a field station internationally long-term, which was a major flex for my upcoming Ph.D. research. It also gave me the invaluable experience of publishing. My Kenya internship led me into a six-and-a-half-year Ph.D. program studying African forest elephants in Gabon. I loved my Ph.D., but each step was a mix of incredible highs like observing wild elephants for months on end in Central Africa and the lows of being lonely in a field station or figuring out how to do something that has never been done before! Here, I fully understood what scientific research was really all about. This episode is a must-listen to one if you are interested in going into wildlife fields, want to get to know me better, or are just curious to know what it’s like to be a wildlife biologist! Specifically, we go over: How I landed my first “legit” field internship with the Bureau of Land Management in Utah and why it was so hard on meThe inside scoop on working at a world-class zoo and in Disney World, being a Reproductive Biology intern, including what it’s like to catch cotton-top tamarin poop and monitor elephant pregnanciesWhat it’s like to live in Kenya for a year, and in a remote field stationNavigating toxic work environments and almost quitting more than onceHow I got my first scientific publicationsA brief overview of my research on forest elephants in Gabon, the “sink or swim” reality of graduate school, and why I considered dropping down to a Master’sHow to study “disgust” in raccoons and why I drove around looking for roadkill carcassesMy seven-year postdoc at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, running global camera trap projects, and the birth of “The Fancy Scientist”How these 17 years of experience led me to leave the traditional research path to start my own business in science communication and career mentoringOther fun experiences, like seeing a tiger in the wild or watching a leatherback turtle lay eggsAnd MORE!Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then… ✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/ 🐾 Get my FREE Job Tracker: https://stephanieschuttler.com/job-tracker/ 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ 🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose, and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg  Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/149-my-wildlife-career/ Jump links: 01:37 First Field Internship 08:09 Loneliness and Resilience 11:57 Disney Internship Begins 14:20 Repro Lab and Zoo Science 20:44 Wildlife Surveys and Extras 24:43 Career Tips and Perks 27:45 Kenya Internship Overview 29:32 Field Cred and Publications 33:07 Tourism Research in Kenya 34:51 East Africa Travels 35:20 Almost Quitting Kenya 40:04 Publishing Initiative 42:52 PhD Ups and Downs 44:55 PhD Research Reality 53:07 PhD Advice 54:38 Raccoon Disgust Postdoc 59:44 Museum Postdoc Dream Job 01:01:16 Camera Traps in Classrooms 01:04:43 Global Expansion and Expeditions 01:07:39 Wildlife Insights AI 01:08:23 Final Career Takeaways Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

    From Flour Beetles to Forest Elephants: My 20 Year Wildlife Career
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Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist. Hit subscribe and let’s change the world!

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