As Wes and Will mentioned in the early career FAQ, getting involved early, making connections, and getting experience are all important to getting a job in limnology and the broader natural resources field. Below are resources to help you do just that.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteering is a great way to make connections and gain valuable experience that will help you get a job further on down the road. Listed below are some volunteer opportunities in Washington.
WA Invasive Species Council: The Washington invasive species council has a page dedicated to volunteer opportunities that are focused on invasive species, citizen science, and restoration. WISC – Washington Invasive Species Council
Puget Soundkeepers: The Puget Sound Keepers are a non-profit organization focused on water quality in the Puget Sound.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: If you are interested in Salmon and restoration, WDFW lists regional fisheries enhancement groups to get involved with.
Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups
Snohomish County: Snohomish County has opportunities to participate in citizen monitoring of select lakes in Snohomish County.
Snohomish County Lake Monitoring
Conferences to Attend:
Conferences are a great chance to network with scientists and managers in the field and present your work. Many conferences offer discounted registration and scholarship opportunities for students and early career professionals.
Regional:
- Washington State Lake Protection Association
- Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference
- Western Aquatic Plant Management Society
- NW Society for Ecological Restoration
- WA state Salmon Recovery Conference
- Oregon Lake Association
- Pacific Northwest Chapter of Society of Wetland Sciences
- Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Society for Freshwater Science
National/International:
- North American Lake Management Society (NALMS)
- Aquatic Plant Management Society
- National Water Quality Monitoring Conference
- Society for Ecological Restoration
- American Fisheries Society
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
- Society of Wetland Sciences
- Society for Freshwater Science
WALPA Early Career Panel:
Each year WALPA hosts an early career panel of early career professionals in limnology for students and young professionals with the goal of helping students and young professionals better understand and break into the professional world.
Upcoming date: April 9th, 2025 5PM
WALPA Early Career Mentorship Program:
Each year we match mentors and mentees together to help students and early career professionals gain valuable professional advice and networking opportunities. Check out past years success and stay tuned for recruiting the next round of mentors and mentees.
