Plentiful Work in a Competitive Field: Wetland Conservation and Restoration with Patrick Raney

It’s well known that careers in wildlife, conservation, and the environment are incredibly competitive. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a job to have hundreds of applicants. So you might be surprised to hear that there are jobs that are difficult for employers to fill. Yes, difficult! To be honest, I was surprised too. This episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast is inspired by this recent insight, and it came about through a new connection on LinkedIn. Dr. Patrick Raney, the Director of Conservation Programs in the Great Lakes Atlantic region of Ducks Unlimited, and I were messaging each other about conservation jobs, and he mentioned that it had actually been difficult for him to find qualified applicants to fill certain positions Given that so many people are struggling to get jobs, I immediately thought that this was wonderful news and that I needed to have him on the podcast to learn more and help those in need. Patrick shares his journey from being a plant ecologist to his current role, emphasizing the diverse paths one can take within conservation. We delve into Ducks Unlimited's successful conservation strategies, the importance of thinking creatively about wildlife careers, and the crucial role of LinkedIn in job searching and networking. Additionally, Patrick offers invaluable advice on filling open positions, especially in engineering and other 'wildlife-adjacent' fields. If you're looking to break into or advance in the conservation field, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips. 00:00 Introduction to the Fancy Scientist Podcast 00:09 Meet Dr. Patrick Ranney: Director at Ducks Unlimited 01:01 Patrick's Journey into Conservation 02:07 The Role of LinkedIn in Wildlife Careers 03:44 Patrick's Early Career and Education 08:19 The Importance of Networking in Conservation 11:12 Ducks Unlimited: Mission and Impact 22:27 Challenges in Filling Conservation Positions 27:22 Exploring Career Opportunities in Wildlife Biology 28:23 Dream Jobs and Career Paths 28:46 Mitigation Banking and Conservation Finance 31:03 Impact of Federal and State Policies on Jobs 34:32 Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth 41:38 The Value of Volunteering in Wildlife Careers 44:07 Essential Skills for Wildlife Careers 45:18 Conservation Success Stories 49:35 Final Thoughts and Networking Tips 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-... 🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-c... 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wi... 🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-w... 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:    • How Did I Become a Wildlife Biologist? | F...   Full show notes: 👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/142-pa... Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group:   / gettingajobinwildlifebiology   YouTube:    / @fancyscientist   Instagram:   / fancy_scientist   LinkedIn:   / sgschuttler   Facebook:   / fancyscientist   Twitter:   / fancyscientist   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscienti... Pinterest:   / fancyscientist