Hey Team!
So instead of doing real work, I think it's time for storytime...
Once upon about a month and a half ago, I had the pleasure of sitting out on the harbour wall for 2 hours waiting for dolphins to arrive so I could photograph them.
I was not disappointed. Almost immediately upon my arrival, a mother and calf, two of our regulars, came right up close to the wall, much to the delight of everyone around me. I took photos, made sure they were good, then settled in for the show. I was more waiting to see if they did anything interesting, already having taken photos for actual science.
As I was sitting back down, this little girl, who I found out later was seven years old, starts asking me questions. Who are the dolphins? Is it a mom and baby? Where's daddy? I showed her the pictures I took, explaining who the dolphins were (Nick (015) and her calf 220, if anyone is interested), and that yes, it is a mom and her calf, and that the dad's don't really spend time with the mom and calf. I felt a little unsure of how to explain polygynous mating systems to a seven year old, but she seemed to understand - or at least accept it - easily.
That should have been the moment it clicked for me. Silly me though, it took me almost the entire hour we sat there - me, her, her parents and her brother - to realize this girl was brilliant. And special. Her interest in the dolphins, the level of questions she asked about them - about their feeding and travelling and socializing - I think back to it and I am amazed all over again. Her father was also taking photos and participating in the conversation, and she matched him in curiosity and followed the conversation every step of the way. I was completely enraptured by this little girl from Southampton.
The conversation had to come to an end as dinner time approached, but we managed to agree that dolphins are the most intelligent (her word) animals on the planet and one of her favourites. Alongside puppies. And that her wish was to see dolphins while in New Quay, so her wish came true.
Not to be left out, her brother was keen to show me a rather interesting piece of metal he found in a crack in the harbour wall. Buried treasure, just like a pirate, we decided. This was his wish for New Quay. So it was a wish-fulfilling day for the whole family.
As we waved goodbye, I felt completely blessed to have been out on that wall that night. We meet a lot of people being out surveying for dolphins, photographing them, but usually it's a passing question, a quick story. This was a life moment for me.
Now, people who know me know I love kids. I've been working with them since I was twelve, and have never regretted a moment of it. I remember how I felt as a kid, looking up to the grownups around me, soaking up all their attentions and lessons.
I feel silly and a little vain saying this, but I really hope this little girl remembers me for at least a while. I want to be someone who she remembers alongside the dolphins. I hope she never forgets the feelings of awe she had seeing them.
I hope she never loses her curiosity. I want her to grow up questioning everything around her and always wanting to learn more. I don't want people to sugar-coat her world because she is strong and smart enough to understand that not everything works in nice, appropriate units.
I don't want her growing up feeling like humans are the most superior species on the planet. I want her to remember that there are so many ways to measure intelligence and that just because we do a lot, doesn't mean everything we do is right.
I'd love to randomly come across a profile of an up and coming marine biologist in 20 years time and read about a woman from Southampton who now works in marine mammology, but I doubt that will happen. It would be too much to inspire her to follow the same path as me. But I hope I did inspire something. Or that the dolphins did.
Maybe they'll go home and buy her a book on dolphins. Let that be a gateway book to books about the ocean, the rainforest, the planet. Let her delve into the world around her, under her, above her.
I can't believe the emotions I am getting just writing about her. This little girl, one exactly like so many I've met before, will have a lasting impression on my memory and my heart.
May she grow into the woman I truly believe she can be.
Speak Loud.
Showing posts with label Pondering Along. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pondering Along. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2014
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Conservation vs. Research(vation)
Hey Team!
This post is actually a year in the making. Because last year I did an internship with a conservation group, rather than all my others, which have been research based.
And there is a big difference between the type of work they do, and the people who do it. And I sort of wanted to touch on those differences here. Because research work isn't for everyone, but neither is conservation. So maybe use this as a way to help decide which is right for you (if, you know, you're reading this as a way to help continue your future in marine biology).
So, research. It's about asking questions. Keeping up with the latest news in the field and figuring out what the next step is in the pursuit of knowledge. Most biologists are just trying to figure out the world around them.
Conservation is about doing something with the answers that researchers have found. It's one thing to find out that whales are sick but what are we going to do about it? As the world is being figured out, we need to put that figuring into action.
The people are different as well. To be a biologist, you probably need at least one degree in, you know, biology. Do to research, you probably want a one of those too. At least some kind of science degree is a must. Chemistry, physics, geology, all important.
Not for conservation. Anyone with any background can do conservation work, though it would help if you had some bit of background in what you are conserving, but you don't need an entire degree for it. Marketing and business, law, even an arts degree is completely okay if you want to go into conservation. In fact, different background of education mean that people bring different ideas towards their conservation efforts, which can be useful!
This next one is very generalizing, and not true for each and every researcher, but for the most part, researchers would rather not deal with the general public, at all. They'd even rather not deal with other scientists every once in a while. But they have to, mostly for funding reasons.
Conservationists have to deal with the public on a regular basis, so they should probably like it. A big part of wildlife conservation is prevention and awareness - letting people know what they can do to protect their local (and global) wildlife. It's also fundraising, petitioning, rallying - all having to deal with ordinary people on the street. It takes a particular kind of person to be able to swallow retorts as the ignorant come out of the woodwork. So unless you have a strong filter on you, I'd stay away from conservation.
If you're going to go into research, don't do it because "you love whales" or "always wanted to see a killer whale". Do it because science fascinates you Do it because you want to know more. This isn't an ecotour of whales or the safari or the rainforest. This is real work. For some, it doesn't matter what species they work on, it's the techniques and the methods that they care about. That is research.
That isn't to say that researchers don't love their research species. Some of the best really do. But it's more about what we can learn from them, rather than the "prettiness", "cuteness" or "coolness" of the animal.
I've known since before I can remember that I want to work with whales. I've known since second year university that I want to work with blue whales. But that's not what any potential Masters supervisor cares about. What they care about is my skill set, and my determination to do science. Any science, so long as it's science.
Conservation is begging for passionate people. Save whales because you love whales! Stop the poaching of elephants if you love elephants! Get involved because where scientists need to keep some professional distance from their research species, conservationists get to put all the emotion into it, because that's what interests and holds an audience captive!
I want to end on things they have in common. It's the people who are most passionate about nature and the world around them that get involved in both. These people, for the most part, love hiking, camping, eating organically and locally, and just being outdoors as much as humanly possible.
They are also in it for the animals. Although almost all the funding comes from "how does this affect humans" kind of sources, they are really all in it because of the animals, and because this Earth would be a pretty awful place to live without them.
Another thing they have in common - there is no money to be made in either. If you promised your mother you'd find a job that would keep you comfortable for the rest of your life, you better get out now.
If you promised your mother you'd find a job that tried to make a real difference in this world, then stick around and get ready for ramen.
Speak Loud!
This post is actually a year in the making. Because last year I did an internship with a conservation group, rather than all my others, which have been research based.
And there is a big difference between the type of work they do, and the people who do it. And I sort of wanted to touch on those differences here. Because research work isn't for everyone, but neither is conservation. So maybe use this as a way to help decide which is right for you (if, you know, you're reading this as a way to help continue your future in marine biology).
So, research. It's about asking questions. Keeping up with the latest news in the field and figuring out what the next step is in the pursuit of knowledge. Most biologists are just trying to figure out the world around them.
Conservation is about doing something with the answers that researchers have found. It's one thing to find out that whales are sick but what are we going to do about it? As the world is being figured out, we need to put that figuring into action.
The people are different as well. To be a biologist, you probably need at least one degree in, you know, biology. Do to research, you probably want a one of those too. At least some kind of science degree is a must. Chemistry, physics, geology, all important.
Not for conservation. Anyone with any background can do conservation work, though it would help if you had some bit of background in what you are conserving, but you don't need an entire degree for it. Marketing and business, law, even an arts degree is completely okay if you want to go into conservation. In fact, different background of education mean that people bring different ideas towards their conservation efforts, which can be useful!
This next one is very generalizing, and not true for each and every researcher, but for the most part, researchers would rather not deal with the general public, at all. They'd even rather not deal with other scientists every once in a while. But they have to, mostly for funding reasons.
Conservationists have to deal with the public on a regular basis, so they should probably like it. A big part of wildlife conservation is prevention and awareness - letting people know what they can do to protect their local (and global) wildlife. It's also fundraising, petitioning, rallying - all having to deal with ordinary people on the street. It takes a particular kind of person to be able to swallow retorts as the ignorant come out of the woodwork. So unless you have a strong filter on you, I'd stay away from conservation.
If you're going to go into research, don't do it because "you love whales" or "always wanted to see a killer whale". Do it because science fascinates you Do it because you want to know more. This isn't an ecotour of whales or the safari or the rainforest. This is real work. For some, it doesn't matter what species they work on, it's the techniques and the methods that they care about. That is research.
That isn't to say that researchers don't love their research species. Some of the best really do. But it's more about what we can learn from them, rather than the "prettiness", "cuteness" or "coolness" of the animal.
I've known since before I can remember that I want to work with whales. I've known since second year university that I want to work with blue whales. But that's not what any potential Masters supervisor cares about. What they care about is my skill set, and my determination to do science. Any science, so long as it's science.
Conservation is begging for passionate people. Save whales because you love whales! Stop the poaching of elephants if you love elephants! Get involved because where scientists need to keep some professional distance from their research species, conservationists get to put all the emotion into it, because that's what interests and holds an audience captive!
I want to end on things they have in common. It's the people who are most passionate about nature and the world around them that get involved in both. These people, for the most part, love hiking, camping, eating organically and locally, and just being outdoors as much as humanly possible.
They are also in it for the animals. Although almost all the funding comes from "how does this affect humans" kind of sources, they are really all in it because of the animals, and because this Earth would be a pretty awful place to live without them.
Another thing they have in common - there is no money to be made in either. If you promised your mother you'd find a job that would keep you comfortable for the rest of your life, you better get out now.
If you promised your mother you'd find a job that tried to make a real difference in this world, then stick around and get ready for ramen.
Speak Loud!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Mentoring With the Best of Them
Hey Team, sorry for the lack of catchy title, the song in my head was just too long.
So I am sitting pretty in Croatia, doing a lot of data work. photo-ID matching, data entry, cropping photos, renaming files, organizing files, etc. Lots of busy work while we wait for the weather to clear up so we can get on the waters again.
But I am here to talk about teaching and mentoring. Because all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I have become a mentor.
Woah.
I mean, that was the point of this blog at the beginning, you know? To give hints and tips about marine biology to try and help others who are just starting down this path. I think it's become something a little different, but I think it's still possible to learn something from all my babbling.
Anyways. Mentors. I have had quite a few in my life. Sticking with those in my career path, most of them have been grad students, older than me, already partway through their own research who for reasons beyond my comprehension took a special interest in my quest to become a marine biologist and let me help them with their lab work, taught me how to look for grants, how to write applications and let me use their names when trying to find work.
And they helped. I came to them with questions, hopes, dreams and they actually cared. I know, I'm surprised as well. They were my friends and my teachers. Mentors.
Higher up the ladder, my supervisor for my honours thesis has also been a mentor for almost 3 years now. She's taught me how to write science articles, how to think critically about statistics and how to perform real behavioural experiments. Also my boss at DFO, probably for some strange reasons of his own, is always willing to hire me back when I am in Winnipeg, and has offered up a variety of projects if I ever have a long stretch of time with him.
These are people that if there was ever an 'Oscars' for my life, would be thanked in my awards speech. It's true that without them I would have probably failed. Miserably.
**
I have been a swimming instructor for 7 years. Five consecutively, then on and off for 2 years while I have been travelling. I have always, always, loved teaching, though usually I keep it to people under the age of 12.
One of the other interns here in Croatia is in her 2nd year of university in Germany, and she is just starting to do lab work and internships in marine biology. She has a lot of questions about different internships around the world, and how to do things like photo-ID and data entry.
It's not like I have a decade of experience under my belt, but I have enough that I can answer her questions, and now I have become one of those people who taught me so much. She asks me questions, tells me her plans for the future, and I answer her and encourage her.
The strangest part is that we are the same age. In Germany they start university a year late and she took a gap year, so although we are the same age, there is a big enough gap in our life paths that I can be a mentor to her.
It's weird though; I know that I take everything my own mentor's say so seriously, and now there's the chance that there is someone in the world doing the same with me.
It's a strange feeling, but a good one. I hope there will be lots and lots people I can help and teach in the future, because there are few things in life I love more.
There is also someone back home a friend got me in contact with that might also be asking advice about how to get into the field. I'm really hoping to lend her a hand, even if the competitor monster in me is roaring for me to stop. I so should have become a doctor.
**
Anyways, that was just a little thing about mentors. Not much to take from it, other than if you have the opportunity to become a mentor to someone, take it. You need patience, but it feels so rewarding when you know that you are making a difference in someone's life. And they are old enough to appreciate it.
Speak Loud!
So I am sitting pretty in Croatia, doing a lot of data work. photo-ID matching, data entry, cropping photos, renaming files, organizing files, etc. Lots of busy work while we wait for the weather to clear up so we can get on the waters again.
But I am here to talk about teaching and mentoring. Because all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I have become a mentor.
Woah.
I mean, that was the point of this blog at the beginning, you know? To give hints and tips about marine biology to try and help others who are just starting down this path. I think it's become something a little different, but I think it's still possible to learn something from all my babbling.
Anyways. Mentors. I have had quite a few in my life. Sticking with those in my career path, most of them have been grad students, older than me, already partway through their own research who for reasons beyond my comprehension took a special interest in my quest to become a marine biologist and let me help them with their lab work, taught me how to look for grants, how to write applications and let me use their names when trying to find work.
And they helped. I came to them with questions, hopes, dreams and they actually cared. I know, I'm surprised as well. They were my friends and my teachers. Mentors.
Higher up the ladder, my supervisor for my honours thesis has also been a mentor for almost 3 years now. She's taught me how to write science articles, how to think critically about statistics and how to perform real behavioural experiments. Also my boss at DFO, probably for some strange reasons of his own, is always willing to hire me back when I am in Winnipeg, and has offered up a variety of projects if I ever have a long stretch of time with him.
These are people that if there was ever an 'Oscars' for my life, would be thanked in my awards speech. It's true that without them I would have probably failed. Miserably.
**
I have been a swimming instructor for 7 years. Five consecutively, then on and off for 2 years while I have been travelling. I have always, always, loved teaching, though usually I keep it to people under the age of 12.
One of the other interns here in Croatia is in her 2nd year of university in Germany, and she is just starting to do lab work and internships in marine biology. She has a lot of questions about different internships around the world, and how to do things like photo-ID and data entry.
It's not like I have a decade of experience under my belt, but I have enough that I can answer her questions, and now I have become one of those people who taught me so much. She asks me questions, tells me her plans for the future, and I answer her and encourage her.
The strangest part is that we are the same age. In Germany they start university a year late and she took a gap year, so although we are the same age, there is a big enough gap in our life paths that I can be a mentor to her.
It's weird though; I know that I take everything my own mentor's say so seriously, and now there's the chance that there is someone in the world doing the same with me.
It's a strange feeling, but a good one. I hope there will be lots and lots people I can help and teach in the future, because there are few things in life I love more.
There is also someone back home a friend got me in contact with that might also be asking advice about how to get into the field. I'm really hoping to lend her a hand, even if the competitor monster in me is roaring for me to stop. I so should have become a doctor.
**
Anyways, that was just a little thing about mentors. Not much to take from it, other than if you have the opportunity to become a mentor to someone, take it. You need patience, but it feels so rewarding when you know that you are making a difference in someone's life. And they are old enough to appreciate it.
Speak Loud!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The Politics of Science
Hey Team!
First I am sorry that once again, this blog is being very sporadic. I know that the makings of a good blog is consistency, but if you haven't learned this by now with this blog, my life in anything but consistent! And as this is all about things I learn as I learn them, there are times that I am not learning much.
Second, this is going to be a very Canada-centred blog post, but if you reading this from another country (hello from Canada!), I hope that it can somehow be relevant to you as well. If not, you might just be lucky (or possibly extra unlucky).
**
Canada seems to be going through a very interesting bout of politics at the moment. Almost as interesting to us as the US politics, which is a big deal. We had a lot of fun about a year ago, when we had to have a re-election and the same party that held a minority government got voted in again, but with a majority government.
Which to most people would make you think that Canada wanted them in power, yes? I mean, we a democratic country and we vote in the people we want in government. Personally, I think we have it pretty sweet, considering the alternatives.
But of course, not everyone is happy with our current government. And I don't expect them to be. Democracies function out of a collective of ideas, not singular ideologies.
I'm rambling again, let's re-focus this post...
The Conservative Party, the current Canadian government, has a certain way of running the country. It has kept us out of deep economic turmoil and has some pretty strong opinions on our foreign front. But where it is sorely lacking is in its support of scientific (mostly biological and environmental) research and funding.
The collective "we" of the science community have had some serious issues with government policies over the last few months. Budget cuts have meant cutting entire labs that are looking into some really important labs, prominent scientists are now job hunting and practices that we know are detrimental to the environment (see oil, fishing) are still going with no signs of slowing down.
And, like I've said in the past (over and over again), there is no money anywhere. But sometimes it's difficult to watch government money go to other programs when we are struggling to make ends meet.
Now, I'm not a politician. I don't understand politics. I am the last person to get on a soapbox and say I can do it better than the people in Parliament. And I know that there is so much more to running a country than being concerned about the environment (which is why I never vote for the Green Party). And I also don't believe that either of the other two major parties in Canada would actually do a better job if they were in power. It's really easy to promise the voters change when you have no control over anything (like how I think it should be really easy to change over all electricity to solar power).
Scientists are passionate people. If we weren't, we'd be pretty bad at our jobs. Which means that most scientists have really strong opinions on how the country is run, and we tend to focus on things most important to us, like the environment, the animals and of course, the financial support to do the research that we believe will save the world (which I do actually believe we are doing).
But when you have more than one interest in political parties, it can get difficult. I don't agree with a lot of the choices the Conservatives are making environmentally. I don't think letting go of DFO researchers, shutting down labs and opening new fisheries are smart ideas. I would love for them to stop funnelling money into the Alberta oil companies and start financing solar power research (can you tell I'm super into solar power?).
But, I like that I can still find some kind of job when I really need one. I like that this government seems to be doing its best stand strong against international madness and is actually speaking out against racism here in our own backyard. I like that they aren't trying to create and fund more social programs that we can't afford, because I really don't want to pay more taxes on everything I buy.
So sometimes I feel really stuck. I love the fact that people are passionate about the politics of the country, because we should demand the best of our government. But how do you balance their passionate displeasure with your more neutral approach? Sometimes it's hard to smile and nod and agree with their vehement dislike of the government, because while I agree with the issue at hand, I have a lot more than just environmental interest in our government.
I'm not sure if there is a lesson here, or if this was just a ramble. I definitely believe that you should question whoever is in power, and if they do something you don't like, you should say something. We have the privilege of living in a country that lets us do that. And we won't be able to make the most forceful impact on our environment without governmental support, and I really wish we had more from our current government. But at the same time, we have to remember that there is a lot that goes into running a country, more than just what is good for the environment.
Leave an opinion, I am really curious to hear what people think. Please feel free to agree or disagree, just be nice about it!
Speak Loud!
First I am sorry that once again, this blog is being very sporadic. I know that the makings of a good blog is consistency, but if you haven't learned this by now with this blog, my life in anything but consistent! And as this is all about things I learn as I learn them, there are times that I am not learning much.
Second, this is going to be a very Canada-centred blog post, but if you reading this from another country (hello from Canada!), I hope that it can somehow be relevant to you as well. If not, you might just be lucky (or possibly extra unlucky).
**
Canada seems to be going through a very interesting bout of politics at the moment. Almost as interesting to us as the US politics, which is a big deal. We had a lot of fun about a year ago, when we had to have a re-election and the same party that held a minority government got voted in again, but with a majority government.
Which to most people would make you think that Canada wanted them in power, yes? I mean, we a democratic country and we vote in the people we want in government. Personally, I think we have it pretty sweet, considering the alternatives.
But of course, not everyone is happy with our current government. And I don't expect them to be. Democracies function out of a collective of ideas, not singular ideologies.
I'm rambling again, let's re-focus this post...
The Conservative Party, the current Canadian government, has a certain way of running the country. It has kept us out of deep economic turmoil and has some pretty strong opinions on our foreign front. But where it is sorely lacking is in its support of scientific (mostly biological and environmental) research and funding.
The collective "we" of the science community have had some serious issues with government policies over the last few months. Budget cuts have meant cutting entire labs that are looking into some really important labs, prominent scientists are now job hunting and practices that we know are detrimental to the environment (see oil, fishing) are still going with no signs of slowing down.
And, like I've said in the past (over and over again), there is no money anywhere. But sometimes it's difficult to watch government money go to other programs when we are struggling to make ends meet.
Now, I'm not a politician. I don't understand politics. I am the last person to get on a soapbox and say I can do it better than the people in Parliament. And I know that there is so much more to running a country than being concerned about the environment (which is why I never vote for the Green Party). And I also don't believe that either of the other two major parties in Canada would actually do a better job if they were in power. It's really easy to promise the voters change when you have no control over anything (like how I think it should be really easy to change over all electricity to solar power).
Scientists are passionate people. If we weren't, we'd be pretty bad at our jobs. Which means that most scientists have really strong opinions on how the country is run, and we tend to focus on things most important to us, like the environment, the animals and of course, the financial support to do the research that we believe will save the world (which I do actually believe we are doing).
But when you have more than one interest in political parties, it can get difficult. I don't agree with a lot of the choices the Conservatives are making environmentally. I don't think letting go of DFO researchers, shutting down labs and opening new fisheries are smart ideas. I would love for them to stop funnelling money into the Alberta oil companies and start financing solar power research (can you tell I'm super into solar power?).
But, I like that I can still find some kind of job when I really need one. I like that this government seems to be doing its best stand strong against international madness and is actually speaking out against racism here in our own backyard. I like that they aren't trying to create and fund more social programs that we can't afford, because I really don't want to pay more taxes on everything I buy.
So sometimes I feel really stuck. I love the fact that people are passionate about the politics of the country, because we should demand the best of our government. But how do you balance their passionate displeasure with your more neutral approach? Sometimes it's hard to smile and nod and agree with their vehement dislike of the government, because while I agree with the issue at hand, I have a lot more than just environmental interest in our government.
I'm not sure if there is a lesson here, or if this was just a ramble. I definitely believe that you should question whoever is in power, and if they do something you don't like, you should say something. We have the privilege of living in a country that lets us do that. And we won't be able to make the most forceful impact on our environment without governmental support, and I really wish we had more from our current government. But at the same time, we have to remember that there is a lot that goes into running a country, more than just what is good for the environment.
Leave an opinion, I am really curious to hear what people think. Please feel free to agree or disagree, just be nice about it!
Speak Loud!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's a Mans World... Or Is It?
Hi Everyone!
This might seem a little out of place, but my grandmother sent this video to me because it reminded her of me, and not to seem conceited or anything, it reminded me of myself as well.
Science has always been a mans world. It seems like only within the last generation or so am I reading women names in my journal articles. It's no surprise that the farther up you go in the chain of research, at the end of it all you are more likely to find a man than a woman.
But it's changing, and I am one of the many trying to change it.
When I was finishing grade 6 and figuring out where to go for middle school and potentially high school, my dad was pretty adamant about placing me in an all girls school because, he believed, there would be a better chance of me getting a strong education in math and science, because he understood then (and I definitely didn't) that math and science is a mans world.
But my love of theatre, my ambition for challenge and my preference for public school won out in the end, and I don't think my education suffered. I lucked out with amazing math and science teachers that certainly but no emphasis on gender in the classroom, and I won't deny that the female population in all my classes kick butt. But looking back, I understand and appreciate my dad's worries. Especially because he thought I was going to be a doctor (just kidding... I think).
I grew up in a house of feminists. Go get a copy of Cat in the Hat right now. Read through it. Notice how Suzy doesn't say a single word of her own? Her brother talks for her the entire time. This is not the story my sister and I grew up with. It wasn't until we were reading on our own did we realize this, because my dad had an extraordinary habit of giving lines to Suzy. That's the house I grew up in.
So ladies, it's time to break barriers. Yes, our grandmothers did their share, so did our mothers. But there are still walls to take down, and we don't need to call a man in to do it. I am young and naive and I know it, but I do think I'll be able to have a hectic, life-sucking job and still be able to raise a family the way I want to.
Anyways, this video. Basically saying all the same things I was brought up to believe, but by a woman who has done it. I enjoyed it so much, and I hope you do too. For any men reading this blog, I think you can also enjoy it, and think about what she says on what true equality is in a relationship.
Speak Loud!
This might seem a little out of place, but my grandmother sent this video to me because it reminded her of me, and not to seem conceited or anything, it reminded me of myself as well.
Science has always been a mans world. It seems like only within the last generation or so am I reading women names in my journal articles. It's no surprise that the farther up you go in the chain of research, at the end of it all you are more likely to find a man than a woman.
But it's changing, and I am one of the many trying to change it.
When I was finishing grade 6 and figuring out where to go for middle school and potentially high school, my dad was pretty adamant about placing me in an all girls school because, he believed, there would be a better chance of me getting a strong education in math and science, because he understood then (and I definitely didn't) that math and science is a mans world.
But my love of theatre, my ambition for challenge and my preference for public school won out in the end, and I don't think my education suffered. I lucked out with amazing math and science teachers that certainly but no emphasis on gender in the classroom, and I won't deny that the female population in all my classes kick butt. But looking back, I understand and appreciate my dad's worries. Especially because he thought I was going to be a doctor (just kidding... I think).
I grew up in a house of feminists. Go get a copy of Cat in the Hat right now. Read through it. Notice how Suzy doesn't say a single word of her own? Her brother talks for her the entire time. This is not the story my sister and I grew up with. It wasn't until we were reading on our own did we realize this, because my dad had an extraordinary habit of giving lines to Suzy. That's the house I grew up in.
So ladies, it's time to break barriers. Yes, our grandmothers did their share, so did our mothers. But there are still walls to take down, and we don't need to call a man in to do it. I am young and naive and I know it, but I do think I'll be able to have a hectic, life-sucking job and still be able to raise a family the way I want to.
Anyways, this video. Basically saying all the same things I was brought up to believe, but by a woman who has done it. I enjoyed it so much, and I hope you do too. For any men reading this blog, I think you can also enjoy it, and think about what she says on what true equality is in a relationship.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Holding Out for a Hero
... Or at least a blue whale.
Day Five - Friday
Feeling of the day: Determined.
It was a pretty laid-back day. After the wild night of Manatee Mayhem, no one really wanted (or were able) to concentrate on lots of talks in the morning. So I went to a few, just the ones I thought I'd really get something out of, but spent a lot of the day sleeping and exploring downtown Tampa.
The reason the feeling of the day was determined was that I found myself with a really strong grasp on what I want my Masters to look like. And I think that while it's problematic to close yourself in too much, because then you lose out on opportunities, it's important to know your limits and what is going to make you happy. An opportunity is torture when you are miserable.
So I started working through a lot of that during the week, but today it was finalized in my mind.
I don't want to go to school in the United States. I don't like the way their graduate school system works, it's ridiculously expensive and quite frankly, I really prefer Canada as a country and as a people. I've been asked if that means I wouldn't consider going farther abroad for school, but I think I'd be okay in another British-style country. Which works out for me, because that's where a lot of blue whale research goes on (for example: Australia. Or the UK).
Another thing I determined is the type of "perscientist" I want to be. Yes, I just made up the word 'perscientist'. It is a combination of 'person' and 'scientist', because with some people, they way they are professionally is different than the way they are personally, and that just doesn't sit right with me. Unfortunately, I am trying to throw myself into an exceptionally competitive field. So when it comes to other people in the same state of affairs as myself, it's natural to want to don fangs and claws and beat them at everything.
And I have met them all here. The people who are amazingly supportive of my dreams and offer lots of advice and names and business cards. And the ones that give you the once over when you express similar goals to theirs. It's part of the game, but you have to figure out what kind of 'perscientist' you want to be, because it's not enough to just be nice to those farther down the line. The best way to know someone's character is how they treat their direct competition.
Another thing (sorry this post has no flow!) is that over this week I got a lot of advice. Which is great, but can seem overwhelming as you try to sift through it all. That's why it's important to have a really clear idea of what will make you the most happy. Because it's really easy to feel like you have to take everyone's advice, because they've been around the field longer and do probably know better. But they don't know you better. So while one person was telling me all about places to try and get research spots pertaining to killer whales, I smiled and nodded and wrote them down, but in the back of my mind I was thinking 'I don't want to invest too much time into looking into all this until I know that my blue whale research will fall through.' And if there's is the smallest chance that I can start fulfilling dreams, I am going to take them, even if it's a little bit more work.
So advice: know your limits, be nice to the competition (one day they won't be competition anymore), be nice to those struggling beneath you (you were once them) and don't feel like you need to take everyone's advice all the time, because they don't know you as well as you do.
Wow. A whole five days of blogging. How do people do this on a regular basis? I should be going back to my sporadic updates now that I am back home in Sarasota and that the internship is winding down.
But something for all you readers to look forward to... 27 days until I land in Puerto Rico, then 12 days later I start my next internship!
Speak Loud!
Day Five - Friday
Feeling of the day: Determined.
It was a pretty laid-back day. After the wild night of Manatee Mayhem, no one really wanted (or were able) to concentrate on lots of talks in the morning. So I went to a few, just the ones I thought I'd really get something out of, but spent a lot of the day sleeping and exploring downtown Tampa.
The reason the feeling of the day was determined was that I found myself with a really strong grasp on what I want my Masters to look like. And I think that while it's problematic to close yourself in too much, because then you lose out on opportunities, it's important to know your limits and what is going to make you happy. An opportunity is torture when you are miserable.
So I started working through a lot of that during the week, but today it was finalized in my mind.
I don't want to go to school in the United States. I don't like the way their graduate school system works, it's ridiculously expensive and quite frankly, I really prefer Canada as a country and as a people. I've been asked if that means I wouldn't consider going farther abroad for school, but I think I'd be okay in another British-style country. Which works out for me, because that's where a lot of blue whale research goes on (for example: Australia. Or the UK).
Another thing I determined is the type of "perscientist" I want to be. Yes, I just made up the word 'perscientist'. It is a combination of 'person' and 'scientist', because with some people, they way they are professionally is different than the way they are personally, and that just doesn't sit right with me. Unfortunately, I am trying to throw myself into an exceptionally competitive field. So when it comes to other people in the same state of affairs as myself, it's natural to want to don fangs and claws and beat them at everything.
And I have met them all here. The people who are amazingly supportive of my dreams and offer lots of advice and names and business cards. And the ones that give you the once over when you express similar goals to theirs. It's part of the game, but you have to figure out what kind of 'perscientist' you want to be, because it's not enough to just be nice to those farther down the line. The best way to know someone's character is how they treat their direct competition.
Another thing (sorry this post has no flow!) is that over this week I got a lot of advice. Which is great, but can seem overwhelming as you try to sift through it all. That's why it's important to have a really clear idea of what will make you the most happy. Because it's really easy to feel like you have to take everyone's advice, because they've been around the field longer and do probably know better. But they don't know you better. So while one person was telling me all about places to try and get research spots pertaining to killer whales, I smiled and nodded and wrote them down, but in the back of my mind I was thinking 'I don't want to invest too much time into looking into all this until I know that my blue whale research will fall through.' And if there's is the smallest chance that I can start fulfilling dreams, I am going to take them, even if it's a little bit more work.
So advice: know your limits, be nice to the competition (one day they won't be competition anymore), be nice to those struggling beneath you (you were once them) and don't feel like you need to take everyone's advice all the time, because they don't know you as well as you do.
Wow. A whole five days of blogging. How do people do this on a regular basis? I should be going back to my sporadic updates now that I am back home in Sarasota and that the internship is winding down.
But something for all you readers to look forward to... 27 days until I land in Puerto Rico, then 12 days later I start my next internship!
Speak Loud!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Your Weakest Link: Goodbye!
First, an anecdote: Back when The Weakest Link was a semi-popular show, my grandmother ended her answering machine message with a quick "Goodbye!". Now for those of you who don't know my grandmother, she kind of looked like the host of Weakest Link, and the "Goodbye" sounded a whole lot like the way she said it. So now, that catchphrase (is that the right word?) always reminds me of my grandmother.
But onto the business of this blog.
The well known but dreaded interview question: What is one of your weaknesses? Now most people automatically want to answer "Nothing, I have no weaknesses.", but obviously this is a very large lie. So one of your weaknesses is that you are a liar. Because everyone is flawed. And 9.99 times out of ten, that flaw will effect your work in one way or another. So sooner or later, your employer will discover your weakness. Might as well be upfront about it.
It's understandable to be wary of admitting to weakness. No one wants to admit that they might not be absolutely perfect for a particular job. But no one is perfect for a particular job. But once you can recognize your weaknesses, admit to them and accept them, it's finally time to learn from them and hopefully to move on from them.
How about an example?
One of my (many, many) weaknesses that come into play a lot in my work is my fear of ineptitude (Hey, that's a word!). I can't handle that people might think I am inept or stupid in anything I do. Sometimes it's little things in life, like people expecting me to know a classic movie or the lyrics to a song; but sometimes it's something important, like knowing the statistical test for data. And my least favourite thing to do (almost) of all time, is say "I don't know". Those words are possibly as bad for me as "I was wrong" (which are almost admitting to the same thing). In the past, my fear of seeming inept has kept me from seeking help, and that has left me with some not-so-great results.
So eventually I grew up, and I realized, admitted to and accepted my weakness. Now it's time to fix it. I try to say "I don't know" more, and then try not to be relieved when my supervisors don't care that I don't know. Also, I've learned about a little thing called "research using the internet", which allows me to quickly learn things that I don't understand. Because as I have learned, self teaching and discovery can be rather rewarding!
I'm also trying to use my peer's knowledge more and more. Although I am inwardly fiercely competitive (another flaw), I am trying to realize that in the same way that I love teaching others (and believe I do so without condescension) other people might feel the same way. And that I won't feel or look stupid to them.
It's a process, just like everything else. And of course I'm also trying to work through all my many other work weaknesses.
So what can you take from all this? Work through yourself and figure out your weaknesses. Or just one to start. Realize them, accept them then it's time to work them out. And remember in an interview to be honest, but put a spin on it so that your potential employer/ supervisor knows that you are working out how to make yourself better.
Interviewer: What is one of your weaknesses?
Me: I have a strong desire to always appear as knowledgeable as people expect me to be, even when I don't know what they expect me to know. In the past this has stopped me from being comfortable with asking for help, but now I am working on being better at asking for clarification and admitting when I don't know how to do something.
Speak Loud!
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Intimidation Factor
There are going to be times, many, many times, in your career where you will meet people that intimidate you.
Perhaps they are a superior whose knowledge and experience seem daunting. Then your intimidation might be the result of absolute respect. I have felt this kind of fear a lot with my profs. They are brilliant, seem to know everything and their approval is the only thing that matters. Even once you discover that they are but human, your determination to impress overpowers your common sense, and every encouraging word or disciplinary act moulds ever move you make.
Then again, perhaps it is some up and coming scientist, wide eyed and naive, but who you know is much smarter than yourself. You fear that the future of your science won't be written by you, but rather them. You are intimiated by their potential to overthrow you, and you will be forced to live in a cardboard box and eat ramen noodles for the rest of your life. Fear not! Except for the few arrogant ones that no one likes and therefore will get turned away from jobs more often than not, those younger/ less experienced than you will look up to you and seek your advice simply to not trouble the waters and occasionally to be liked (see paragraph above). So don't fear them, encourage them and help them become better scientists. Most will know their place, and remember: science is a team effort.
The final category, and possibly the most terrifying of all, are your collegues. Those that are also recent graduates, looking for the same funding and the same job/academic opportunities. These are your true enemies, the one's you keep closer than your friends. You are in your own arms race, constantly keeping up the Joneses.
Or are you?
As I have recently discovered, everyone has the one-up on each other in some way or another. While a collegue might have more experience in one field of interest, you might have more experience in another. They wrote a longer thesis, but you wrote a more concise one. They went away for school to a expensive university, but you understand the value of money, don't expect your supervisor to come up with all the funding, and are ready to spend gruelling hours writing grant proposals (see last post). When you sum it all up, life, work and school experience, 95% of us are on equal footing.
I am living this out right now. Some of the other interns on paper seemed super intimidating. But as I get to know them, I find that I have experiences they don't, and even though they've had more experience in marine biology, they aren't entirely sure what they want to do in the field. I think depriving myself of it for so long forced me to really think it through and consider all the options ahead of time, which might in the end make me a better candidate for graduate school or jobs in the future.
So refuse to be intimidated! Except by your superiors, they are actually frightening. But as for the others, we're all just trying to learn new things and expose the world to new knowledge. Science can't happen from one person alone, so don't waste time being intimidated that you could be using to fuse two (or three) brilliant minds together to make the future of our planet a better one.
Speak Loud.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Generation Z
I spent last week working at the Museum day camp to make a little extra cash this summer, on top of all the research (it's a busy summer!). While being fun and active, it's also a pretty educational camp, especially when you have a newly graduated biologist on Animal, Arctic and Alien day.
So I feel like I spent most of last week pushing environmental and conservation concerns onto the malleable minds of children.
Animal day: Humans are top predator in all habitats. We kill more animals in any environment than any predator anywhere. All we do is destroy.
Arctic day: Climate change is all our fault (sorry Dad!) and we are destroying our Earth and atmosphere (I added a bit on the Ozone layer). Everyone should stop driving and become vegetarians.
Alien day: The 'aliens' in our oceans are way better than the aliens that might be in space. Thank goodness NASA cut their shuttle program.
Okay, maybe I exaggerated (but not by much, I'm afraid), but it's pretty clear. I don't think I was lying (although my Dad might disagree with me re: climate change), but was I right in making and teaching these claims to kids?
I think I was. I mean, kids get smarter every generation with better access to information, and really, they are the ones that are going to make all the difference in the world ('Kids are the future' and all that).
I could go on, but I think this one is going to be a short post (tomorrow's will be longer, I'm sure!). More cliché lines of "plant the idea and grow the knowledge" or whatever, but this is what I leave you with.
I do believe that we have to teach the kids and work up from there. Even if one of those kids asks their parents to stop idling their car (like I do to my dad), it's a small step to a potentially healthy planet.
So I feel like I spent most of last week pushing environmental and conservation concerns onto the malleable minds of children.
Animal day: Humans are top predator in all habitats. We kill more animals in any environment than any predator anywhere. All we do is destroy.
Arctic day: Climate change is all our fault (sorry Dad!) and we are destroying our Earth and atmosphere (I added a bit on the Ozone layer). Everyone should stop driving and become vegetarians.
Alien day: The 'aliens' in our oceans are way better than the aliens that might be in space. Thank goodness NASA cut their shuttle program.
Okay, maybe I exaggerated (but not by much, I'm afraid), but it's pretty clear. I don't think I was lying (although my Dad might disagree with me re: climate change), but was I right in making and teaching these claims to kids?
I think I was. I mean, kids get smarter every generation with better access to information, and really, they are the ones that are going to make all the difference in the world ('Kids are the future' and all that).
I could go on, but I think this one is going to be a short post (tomorrow's will be longer, I'm sure!). More cliché lines of "plant the idea and grow the knowledge" or whatever, but this is what I leave you with.
I do believe that we have to teach the kids and work up from there. Even if one of those kids asks their parents to stop idling their car (like I do to my dad), it's a small step to a potentially healthy planet.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
To Zoo or not to Zoo
Just a note, I really wish I hadn't used the title "Do's and Don't's" because I wanted to do "Zoo's and Don't's" for this one... but I can't, so I won't. Oh well.
I am working for FA this summer. She is a grad student looking at infrasound in peacocks. Now you might be asking "You are in Canada eh? Where are you getting peacocks to study?" Well I'll tell you.
The city zoo.
I feel like the biology/zoology world is torn in two on whether zoos are good or bad. Obviously there is the issue of animals not being in the wild, being in cages too small, being bored and not learning key survival skills. Aquariums are on the same stand. Being forced to perform, in tanks where they can't swim at natural speeds etc....
And of course there are the accidents. People get lax around caged animals, so keepers are mauled by lions, Orcas (NOT killer whales!) drown their trainers and so many patrons injured by close encounters.
So with all the negative things that happen, why are zoos still open?
Well back back back in the day, when zoos were for entertainment only with no consideration for animal care, I would have to agree, with animals in mind, they were horrible. But times have changed. Exhibits are larger and more accurate, enrichment objects are better, and animal care protocol in general continues to raise the bar. So all in all, the animals themselves are not in the worst of conditions.
But Gaby, isn't it STILL better for them to be in the wild?
Yes, but you are missing one crucial part of most zoos and aquariums....
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS!
Without zoos and aquariums, how could we efficiently teach the public about the importance of conservation? Zoos and aquariums donate tons of money to conservation programs and many have conservation programs built in. And they are the best way to scream endangered and extirpated into the faces of people that have power to change things.
So zoos and aquariums.... conservation and public awareness. Maybe you may think it's cruel to make dolphins perform three times a day, but all of a sudden an audience of 200 know how intelligent these animals are; and if you tell them that these animals are being caught as bycatch in shrimp fisheries... just maybe we'll see a change. Plus all donations from the show goes to dolphin research and conservation.
So maybe zoos are bad and maybe they are good. I'm not here to change your mind, because it's hard for me to make mine up. Doing research at my city's zoo has me thinking they aren't that bad. And I'll admit I like a dolphin show because it's a show of intelligence, and maybe the dolphins are having a bit of fun. Who knows.
Maybe I'll ask my followers... Zoos/Aquariums: condemn or keep?
I am working for FA this summer. She is a grad student looking at infrasound in peacocks. Now you might be asking "You are in Canada eh? Where are you getting peacocks to study?" Well I'll tell you.
The city zoo.
I feel like the biology/zoology world is torn in two on whether zoos are good or bad. Obviously there is the issue of animals not being in the wild, being in cages too small, being bored and not learning key survival skills. Aquariums are on the same stand. Being forced to perform, in tanks where they can't swim at natural speeds etc....
And of course there are the accidents. People get lax around caged animals, so keepers are mauled by lions, Orcas (NOT killer whales!) drown their trainers and so many patrons injured by close encounters.
So with all the negative things that happen, why are zoos still open?
Well back back back in the day, when zoos were for entertainment only with no consideration for animal care, I would have to agree, with animals in mind, they were horrible. But times have changed. Exhibits are larger and more accurate, enrichment objects are better, and animal care protocol in general continues to raise the bar. So all in all, the animals themselves are not in the worst of conditions.
But Gaby, isn't it STILL better for them to be in the wild?
Yes, but you are missing one crucial part of most zoos and aquariums....
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS!
Without zoos and aquariums, how could we efficiently teach the public about the importance of conservation? Zoos and aquariums donate tons of money to conservation programs and many have conservation programs built in. And they are the best way to scream endangered and extirpated into the faces of people that have power to change things.
So zoos and aquariums.... conservation and public awareness. Maybe you may think it's cruel to make dolphins perform three times a day, but all of a sudden an audience of 200 know how intelligent these animals are; and if you tell them that these animals are being caught as bycatch in shrimp fisheries... just maybe we'll see a change. Plus all donations from the show goes to dolphin research and conservation.
So maybe zoos are bad and maybe they are good. I'm not here to change your mind, because it's hard for me to make mine up. Doing research at my city's zoo has me thinking they aren't that bad. And I'll admit I like a dolphin show because it's a show of intelligence, and maybe the dolphins are having a bit of fun. Who knows.
Maybe I'll ask my followers... Zoos/Aquariums: condemn or keep?
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