Written in an informal and engaging style, Saving the Earth as a Career is an ideal resource for students and professionals pursuing a career in conservation.
Preface
Read this before you begin
1. Is this the right career for you?
2. Establishing an undergraduate foundation
3. Selecting an educational program
4. Applying for admission
5. Designing your program of study
6. Designing your research project
7. Executing your research project
8. Attending conferences and making presentations
9. Writing papers
10. Finding a job
11. Making a difference
Index
Malcolm L. Hunter is the Libra Professor of Conservation Biology and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine. He is also the former President of the Society for Conservation Biology.
David B. Lindenmayer is a Research Professor in Ecology at the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.
Aram J.K. Calhoun is Associate Professor of Wetland Ecology at the University of Maine, a staff scientist at Maine Audubon Society, and chair of the Student Affairs Committee of the Society for Conservation Biology.
"The illustrative dialogues between people, and cartoons, add to the appeal of this little book to prospective and current students, and each chapter has further reading lists and notes. Overall, I found the advice to be sound and realisticservation."
– Biodivers Conserv, 2011
"Hunter, Lindenmayer and Calhoun provide thorough and un-intimidating counsel to those seeking to pursue a job in the field of conservation. They explore the path towards saving the earth in a series of succinct chapters, sprinkled generously with humorous cartoons, short anecdotes and supplemental reading lists."
– Journal of Biosocial Science, July 2009
"Saving the Earth as a Career is a valuable reference and the authors have taken a momentous step forward in guiding future generations to protect the planet's natural assets."
– Conservation Biology, June 2009
"The book explores the major skills needed to become an effective professional by offering useful advice on a range of topics."
– EUCC Coastal News, September 2008
"The [authors] display a practical, conversational writing style [...] well organized and straightforward; either read it thoroughly or use as a quick reference guide [...] engaging read overall. Recommended."
– Choice Reviews
"This book fills a vitally important role in development of conservation professionals [...] It helps students think and act like a conservation professional early in their careers."
– Ecology
"A lively and informative guide for those starting a career in conservation, or thinking about such a career, to how it's done! This book should be useful for college and university students – and their advisors – as well as anyone interested in the rapidly-expanding and vitally important field of conservation."
– Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden
"Informative, engaging, practical and empathetic: these are just a few of the adjectives that describe this guide for fledgling conservation professionals. The authors – all seasoned and highly respected conservation professionals – have provided aspirant planet doctors with the wisest advice possible."
– Richard Cowling, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
"Conservation professionals invariably take themselves way too seriously. This, in contrast, is a useful, novel and very entertaining book packed full of pithy advice"
– Hugh Possingham, University of Queensland
"Read, absorb, act and save"
– William Sutherland, University of Cambridge
"So you want to change the world? If the thought of politics turns your innards, then don't despair. Hunter, Lindenmayer and Calhoun have written a thoroughly engaging 'road map' of the many options available to the aspiring conservation professional. It's packed with the hard-won experience of some of the world's most respected conservation biologists. Importantly, they tell you just how to get there, from the now-mandatory University education, to learning how best to plan research and get it published, to securing the right job."
– Barry Brook, University of Adelaide
"This is a much-needed and invaluable resource for those pursuing a career in conservation, written by an experienced trio who freely dispense sage advice. If you want to be a conservation professional, read this book, perhaps more than once."
– Gary K. Meffe, Editor, Conservation Biology
"Many people seek careers or even just fulfilment from contributing to conservation. With mounting environmental problems, we need all the best people we can find. This very readable book provides sound advice. Crucially, it will help match able and committed people to the right jobs, whatever their nature. I strongly recommend it as essential reading for anyone, whatever their interests, or wherever they are in their career."
– Georgina M. Mace, Imperial College London