Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 4/19/2008

Question
Hi, I'm due to graduate with a bachelors in biology in a month or so and I've found myself really confused about what to do with it. I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but now I've found myself taking all evolution and ecology courses and wanting to do work outdoors with a variety of species...none of them human! Can you tell me a little about what the life of a evolutionary biologist (in academia, especially) is like? I know a bit about what it's like to be a PhD student since I know a few and have the application materials for the program at my school, but haven't a clue as to what it's like after you've finished...

Answer
Dear Kirsten,

The main thing in the life of any biologist is:  research, research, research!

If you're interested in a career in evolutionary biology, the best thing to do is find a university with strong faculty in this area, and then write to them to see if any are seeking graduate students like you.  Grad school is not just about good grades and good GRE scores, but also about whom you know.  

If you know PhD students where you are now, and if any of them are working in the evolution/ecology fields, then set up an appointment to discuss your interests with their major professors to see if they have suggestions or colleagues who might wish to take you on as a grad student.

Evolutionary biology has become an enormous field.  If you do work in this area, you could choose research areas anywhere from developmental genetics to field biology involving population genetics.  So choose your contacts carefully, once you make them, and you could end up in an exciting field that won't make you as wealthy as a medical career might, but it will keep your mind and intellect far more active and growing for your entire life.

I hope this helps!  Please write back if you have more specific questions.

Dana