From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife Conservation

How To Protect The Ocean

Stephanie's Career Journey

Early Interests and Education:

Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting.

She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation.

Academic Path:

Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research.

After completing her PhD, she undertook two postdoctoral positions, one of which lasted five years in Raleigh, North Carolina, within the research triangle.

Transition to Science Communication:

While working at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Stephanie developed a love for science communication, blogging about her experiences and the challenges of the job market in wildlife biology.

She realized that her research, while valuable, often went unnoticed in academic journals and sought to make a more direct impact through communication and mentoring.

Establishing Her Business:

In April 2020, Stephanie launched her own business, focusing on career mentoring and science communication.

She began offering group programs and writing a book, leveraging her experiences to help others navigate the competitive job market in wildlife conservation.

Current Focus:

Stephanie now combines science communication with career mentoring, helping aspiring wildlife professionals improve their job applications and gain clarity on their career paths.

She emphasizes the importance of networking, gaining relevant experience, and crafting strong job applications tailored to specific roles.

Advice from Stephanie

Clarity and Strategy:

Identify what you truly want to do in your career. Having a clear goal helps in targeting the right opportunities and experiences.

Build Experience:

Gain a variety of experiences, especially those that align closely with your career goals. This may involve taking on multiple jobs or internships.

Networking:

Build and maintain a professional network. Connections can lead to job opportunities and valuable insights into the field.

Strong Job Applications:

Focus on writing compelling job applications. Many candidates struggle with this, often writing generic applications that do not highlight their unique experiences and skills.

Invest in Yourself:

Consider investing in career coaching or mentoring programs. This investment can lead to greater accountability and motivation, ultimately enhancing your chances of success.

Resilience and Dedication:

Persistence is key. The job market can be competitive, but with dedication and the right strategy, success is achievable.

Connect with Stephanie: Website: https://stephanieschuttler.com/

Career Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/https://stephanieschuttler.com/3-pillars-to-success/

Fancy Scientist Podcast: https://stephanieschuttler.com/category/podcast/

Follow a career in conservation: https://www.conservation-careers.com/online-training/ Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program. Do you want to join my Ocean Community? Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp Sign up for our Newsletter: http://www.speakupforblue.com/newsletter Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI

Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube