Breakfast Roundtable and Career Development Workshops

20160227_2-584Breakfast Roundtable Discussion:

  • Requires separate registration fee, $20 per person. Advance registration required
  • Wednesday, 7:30-9:30am
  • Breakfast and discussion start promptly – please arrive promptly at 7:30am
  • Breakfast Discussion Topic:  How do we achieve our goal of improving scientific communication with our peers, the public, and policy makers?  (1) What tools do we need and how do we get them?  (2) How should we change our engagement approach for different audiences?

The purpose of the Breakfast Roundtable is to facilitate small-group conversation about issues of importance to Western Section members and conference attendees.  The focus of this year’s Breakfast Roundtable discussion will be the conference theme of Communicating Science.  We will explore our responsibility as individuals and members of the scientific community to more effectively communicate science to our peers, the public, and policy makers.
We will use the World Café method whereby participants will start at small tables of 4 people, then change tables over several discussion rounds. This allows for many conversations with different participants and different perspectives.  We will come together at the end of the breakfast roundtable to share highlights with the larger group.  The outcomes of the discussion often also influence future Western Section trainings and conference themes.  This year’s conference theme of Communicating Science is a direct result of Breakfast Roundtable discussions during the 2017 conference.
Breakfast Buffet Menu:  French Toast; Tuscan style frittata with fall vegetables, sea salt, tomatoes, and goat cheese; chicken apple sausage; and potatoes o’brien with onions and peppers.  Served with assorted chilled juices, fresh seasonal fruit and berries, assorted croissants, Danish, and muffins served with sweet butter and preserves as well as coffee, decaf, and tea service.

Publishing and Peer-Reviewing Scholarly Papers: Process, Pitfalls, and Responsibilities

  • Wednesday, February 7:  8-10am (Dry Creek Ballroom)
  • Organized by R.J. Gutiérrez, Professor and Gordon Gullion Endowed Chair Emeritus, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • No additional cost, included in the meeting registration fee
  • Link to:  Editorial Conflict of Interest Policy

I developed this workshop because of Western Section of TWS member requests for a workshop to aid graduate students and young professionals in their quest to publish scholarly papers as well as review such papers for peer-reviewed journals.  However, experienced researchers may glean a few tidbits about this process as well as hear about some trends I see emerging in publishing research. Therefore, the purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of the process of publishing and reviewing papers.  Researchers employ many strategies when publishing papers, so there is no magic strategy for success.  In this workshop, I will simply provide my perspective on things to consider when one is trying to publish a paper; these are observations synthesized from my own experiences over several decades as an author, reviewer, and editor.  I will discuss the broad issues of “why publish, what to publish, when to publish, how to publish, and where to publish” – illustrated with specific examples.
A related activity in pursuit of publishing scholarly papers is the professional responsibility to serve as a peer reviewer of the scholarly papers written by others.  The peer-review system exists only because of volunteer peer-reviewers, so, if you publish, you have a professional obligation to serve as a peer reviewer.  It is also an essential system designed to maintain the integrity of the research enterprise.  In addition to being a professional obligation, there are many moral and ethical responsibilities associated with peer review that I will discuss.  I will also discuss such topics as the purpose of peer review, blind and double-blind review systems, the elements of a good review, how to comport yourself in developing your written review, and when you should recuse yourself from reviewing.
R. J. Gutiérrez is Professor and Gordon Gullion Chair Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and Senior Scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has been involved with peer-review publishing for nearly 50 years. During that time, he has served on the editorial board for 3 international journals, as an independent editor for many compendia, and as a reviewer of more than 1,000 papers.

Resume Workshops

  • Thursday, February 8:  10:30am-12:30pm A Beginner’s Guide: The Basics of a Resume, C.V., and Interview Skills (Chalk Hill)
  • Friday, February 9:  8:30am-10:30am  Advanced Resume, C.V., and Interview Skills (Chalk Hill)
  • Resume Critiques, by appointment.  Thursday 1:30-3:30pm and Friday 11:30am-2pm (Hospitality Suite 123)
  • No additional cost, included in the meeting registration fee

A Beginner’s Guide: The Basics of a Resume, C.V., and Interview Skills:   This workshop will review the basics of a resume, with an emphasis on formatting and categories to include. Participants will learn to recognize where structure is necessary and when creative freedom is appropriate when constructing a resume. We will focus on how to gain experience to put on a resume and discuss interview skills for someone who has minimal experience in the Wildlife field.
Advanced Resume, C.V., and Interview Skills: This workshop will build on a foundation of resume skills. Participants will learn how to use a job announcement to highlight their strengths and gain more information about C.V.’s. We will focus on how to build interview skills that will allow you to talk about unique experiences you have gained, while keeping it relevant to an employer. This workshop is most appropriate for those who have attended a workshop previously, have a successful resume or C.V., or are preparing to apply to (or are attending) grad school.
In both workshops, Kristina will provide sample resumes and C.V.’s, and a list of special qualifications that students develop as part of their undergraduate and graduate experiences (research techniques, field equipment & techniques, training, licenses, etc.), as well as interviewing tips and resources for job hunting in these fields.
Kristina will also be available on a sign-up basis to critique C.V.’s/Resumes; She is also willing to review emailed Resumes & C.V.’s after the annual meeting.
Kristina Hunt is a Career Advisor in the Academic & Career Advising Center for the College of Natural Resources and Sciences at Humboldt State University (HSU). Working as a Career Advisor, Kristina enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with students, inspiring them to explore their interests in wildlife and connecting them to fulfilling professions.    Kristina has 10 years of experience in Human Resources which has provided her with valuable insight from an employer’s perspective.  In her free time, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family and retreating to the family ranch.

20160227-633How ‘Not’ to Give a Scientific Presentation 

  • Wednesday, February 7:  1-2pm (Chalk Hill)
  • No additional cost, included in the meeting registration fee

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve, this informative (and likely humorous) mini-workshop will provide you with information and tips for presenting your research work to your peers. Instructor Jon Hooper will provide demonstrations on how to give an effective presentation….and how NOT to.
Dr. Jon K. Hooper is Professor Emeritus at California  State University-Chico, a Certified Wildlife Biologist, and Certified Interpretive Trainer.  He has a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and has taught communication workshops around the country for more than 35+ years.

20160227-727Job Interview Panel: I Got a Job Interview, Now What? – Getting Jobs in a Tough Job Environment

  • Friday, February 9:  11am-12pm (Chalk Hill)
  • No additional cost, included in the meeting registration fee

The job interview process can be an intimidating experience for the job seeker. To help make this less mysterious, a group of 4-6 invited speakers from agencies, private consulting, and academia will provide insights into what can be expected during a job interview with their respective employers. Topics include how to prepare for the interview, how you should present yourself, and the range of potential questions you may be asked. In addition, an open discussion follows the presentations.  This workshop will be led by David Wyatt who teaches in the Biology Department at Sacramento City College and Patti Krueger who works as the Regional Threatened and Endangered Species Coordinator for the US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region.