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We Gotta Get Outta This Place/If It's The Last Thing We Ever Do...
I'm stuck.
It's been five years since I got my degree. In that time, I've managed to land two short-term jobs that are actually in my field.
From what I can see, Silicon Valley is a LOUSY place to land a job in environmental science. It's also a pretty wretched place to try to retire, so we're really looking to break out of here within the next decade.
Really, if you want to land ANYTHING in the sciences, you have to be prepared to relocate.
The problem is, I simply don't have the resources to go haring across the country for job interviews.
How do people DO this stuff??
Feedback welcome.
It's been five years since I got my degree. In that time, I've managed to land two short-term jobs that are actually in my field.
From what I can see, Silicon Valley is a LOUSY place to land a job in environmental science. It's also a pretty wretched place to try to retire, so we're really looking to break out of here within the next decade.
Really, if you want to land ANYTHING in the sciences, you have to be prepared to relocate.
The problem is, I simply don't have the resources to go haring across the country for job interviews.
How do people DO this stuff??
Feedback welcome.
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I got my first job in Chicago, IL
I got my next job in Pine Bluff, AR
I got my next job in Philadelphia, PA
You go where the jobs are.
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If the employers won't pay for it, then you'll need to find another reason to be out there. Visiting home for Thanksgiving, or going to a con. Like Anthrocon. In Pittsburgh. Which has lots of science-type industry going on.
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I have little advice to offer, because I have been totally unsuccessful myself in landing said job.
The best thing I can suggest is perhaps to widen your definition of your field? Or at least widen the search parameters as regards to title type stuff? I'm assuming you're on the appropriate mailing lists and looking at all the right websites for your specialty (and surrounding specialties) - and the problem isn't finding positions to apply for.
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As for "parameters" -- wow, that's 90% of my problem, I think. I just suck at job-hunting. I've been looking for Anything Vaguely Environmentally Related.
One problem, of course, is that "environmental" is also Jobspeak for "cleaning asbestos and maintaining air filters" as well as ecologically-oriented Earth Science stuff.
A weird thing is that the jobs come in waves, at least on Craigslist. Around March, there's a flood of jobs that I actually qualify for -- so many that I don't actually get resumes out oto more than a few. After that... bupkis.
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Yeah, that asbestos stuff is sometimes a pain to wade through. If you're not, you might look for companies that do EIRs and visit their websites for job openings. You're doing "blind" resume sending, too? It works.
Something that did help me land a local job was volunteering - but then I'm a museum geek. SFBBO.org is a good organization. The networking helps. I'm trying to recall your specific area. Once email contact is reestablished, if you want, I can send you some ideas. Or not.
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And no, I don't do any "blind" resume sending.
The only volunteer positions I can find are canvassing and signature-gathering and phone-poll stuff. Everyone says this grass-roots stuff makes a difference, but I just can't see it. I don't take these calls, and my usual response to petitions are "I'll need to do more research before I sign anything.".
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And definitely work on the blind resume sending, it does work.
Yeah, the canvassing stuff is not what you want. Better are audubon, CNPS.org, state/regional parks. Depends, of course, on your interests.
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Looks promising.
duh - answer the question
Many places will allow you to do a phone interview as a first round, which helps cut down on the immediate "not right fit" things.
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http://www.ecoemploy.com/
http://www.greenbiz.com/green-careers
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/about_us/employment/apply.shtml
--
As others have stated, if they want you they pay for travel however you have to provide the time.
One alternative for a scientist is to be self-directed and apply for a research grant. Brownfield related companies might be another. The problem is the ideal job is unlikely to be listed anywhere, so with some combination of research and referrals you'll have to send letters introducing what you can do and asking for advice and or another referral. Also, plan on making cold calls to visit companies that interest you. Show up, as for a few minutes of (insert name of VIP or supervisor in your field that you researched) wanting a few minutes of his time covering your interest in their company. It often takes an insider to pave the way for you.
Who's doing work you're really interested in, introduce yourself. Like with the dragons and furries you know, networks of people build slowly with time. This part isn't to ask for a job but to know and be known. Thinking you know more real dragons than scientists, doubting scientists are as rare.
Agreed it is becoming a poor place to retire and the decaying infrastructure is soon to become a problem.
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Wow, they have whole websites for people who want to waterboard for the government??
Seriously, though, those are good suggestions. Part of my big problem has been that my Google Fu is weak: I haven't quite figured out how to find companies that I'm interested in working for. Networking has never been my strong suit, either. Both areas to work on.
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You'll need a business card with name, title, and an email address. A piece of related artwork and if you're up for it a simple slogan. It's a corporate you image thing. Like having a button shirt and tie, at least dockers, and a business card case.
Classmates, instructors, contacts from your paper, and those two short term jobs. Say hi, see what they know, ask who they know, and gather contact information. As for Google Fu you seem to have a network of beings who use computers from time to time, post a few descriptions and talk it through a few times. You'll have to sort through the ideas and suggestions then see how they fit with your own thinking and those close to you.
So, lab work? field work? research? waterways? fish? birds? plants? human impact? all of the above? write grant proposals? publish? change public view? propose new environmental laws? Let the introspection begin. :-)
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Are you friendly with your old profs? Any with links to industry?
Some of the other posters had the right idea; apply to jobs BEFORE they are posted.
Are there any professional head-hunters firms in your area for your industry of choice? Can you send THEM your resume, and have them try and match you up?
Finally...have you thought about going back to school and get into a degree program with a job-placement option?
::B::
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Me: Have you tried some of the innovators like google or other startups?
However, don't come up here to eco-topia (ie, Pacific NW) ... we've got an overflow of both techheads AND ego-geeks.
...
Also, with the recent oil spill, CAL OSPR (part of DF&W) is putting in more positions.
I can see if I can find any contacts down there if you want, I worked with a few during the Cosco Busan. :P
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