Education

Careers in Ichthyology

Education Selections... South Florida Aquatic Environments About the Different Groups of Fishes About the Anatomy of Fish and Sharks How Fish and Sharks Swim About Fish Adaptations About the Endangered Species Act How to Become a Biologist About Careers In Ichthyology Most Commonly Asked Shark Questions Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Most Commonly Asked Ray and Skate Questions Most Commonly Asked Fish Questions Identification Key to Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular Florida Field Key to Sharks Skates of the Western Gulf of Maine Project Shark Awareness - A Public Outreach Educational Program Shark Fishing in U.S. Territorial Waters Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Sawfish In Peril - PowerPoint file Sawfish Informational Brochure - Acrobat file Sawfish Outreach Boat Ramp/Marina Sign - Acrobat file Sawfish In The News Sawfish References Sawfish Links Smalltooth Sawfish species profile Largetooth Sawfish species profile Green Sawfish species profile Freshwater Sawfish species profile Dwarf Sawfish species profile Knifetooth Sawfish species profile Chondrichthyes Bibliography Search Freshwater Fishes of Florida References General Fish References Shark References Sawfish References Childrens' Shark Books Stingray Reproduction References Biological Profiles Glossary of Terms Shark Games: Test Your Knowlege! 2003 Open House Photos Cathy Bester - Education Coordinator How did you become interested in ichthyology? "I always had a strong interest in the outdoors, nature, and wildlife which eventually led to my decision to pursue a career in marine biology. Throughout my childhood, I spent most of my time outdoors, observing and learning as much as possible about wildlife." What training and education do you have? "I attended Bowling Green State University (Ohio) for my undergraduate degree in marine biology. During my final year as an undergraduate, I worked in Belize (Central America) during the summer. I went on to work at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research on a coral symbiosis research project which eventually led to my Masters degree thesis research. Since earning my Masters degree, I have taken a variety of positions including teaching at a university and a community college as well as my current position at the Florida Museum of Natural History as Education Coordinator." What personal qualities are important in this field? "In the field of ichthyology (as well as other biological sciences), it is important to have scientific integrity, strong ethics, and a good sense of reasoning. You must also be able to get along well with fellow biologists since you often work as part of a team on various projects." Describe your work and research: "Currently, my work consists of many different responsibilities. As Education Coordinator, I am working on education initiatives which include Project Shark Awareness, a public outreach program that seeks to educate people about the myths and realities of sharks. I am also responsible for the web site development and maintenance, which includes programming and digital photography. In the past, I have worked on coral symbiosis research that focused on the cellular mechanisms of communication between corals and their symbiotic algae." What skills do you use on the job? "I use a variety of skills in my position at the Museum. My education in marine biology along with my teaching experience has prepared me well for my current job. Computer skills are very important. As the web site designer, I need skills for web page creation which includes knowing many software programs such as html editors and graphics programs. I also use my biological science knowledge for creating new web page content and educational materials. Photography and writing are very important skills that I use everyday." What interesting discoveries have you made in your studies? "During my research as a graduate student, I discovered that symbiotic algae found in corals take up amino acids provided by the coral host and the role this may play in communication between these two organisms. Recently, I have discovered how much people really want to learn about fish, especially sharks. This has lead to the development of our education initiatives on sharks, shark biology, and shark conservation at the Florida Museum of Natural History." (see: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/education/psa/psa.htm) What is your typical work schedule? "I work 40 hours a week in the office with occasional travel to conferences and workshops." What do you like best about your job? "My job provides opportunity to develop educational materials for classrooms and the general public. These materials are available through our web site for the general public to learn more about fish! Education is a great way to increase public awareness about the wildlife, natural habitats, and conservation." Does this profession require any travel? "My position as education coordinator requires some travel, primarily to conferences and workshops to meet other educators and to share ideas and information about education initiatives." What is the general salary range for someone in your position? "The general salary range for someone in my position ranges anywhere from $30,000 to about $50,000 per year depending upon your employer, education, geographical location, and job responsibilities." How long have you been an ichthyologist? "I have been working in the field of marine biology for about 10 years." Is it difficult to find a job in ichthyology? "It can be difficult to find a job in this field due to the high amount of competition for the best positions. If someone asked me for advice on entering this field, I would tell them to work hard to earn top grades and to get lots of experience working on different research and education projects while in school. It also helps to have a graduate-level degree when searching for a position in ichthyology." Have you ever considered a career in a different field? "I have considered careers in different fields, however I decided to become a marine biologist. Originally I studied photojournalism, but later changed my career goals. It would be fun to rent kayaks, take people out on field trips and teach them about the habitats and wildlife of Florida." Do you ever go fishing in your free time? "I occasionally go fishing in my free time. Gainesville is centrally located in the northern peninsula of Florida, giving easy access to both the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts. When I do get a chance to do some fishing, it is mostly in saltwater and from my ocean kayak."