Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka

Normally when I do an interview for the Fancy Scientist podcast, it’s me interviewing a guest. But for this week’s episode, I’m flipping the script and the guest is….yours truly: Me!!
You see, last year I was interviewed by my friend and fellow podcaster Andrew Lewin, who hosts the How to Protect the Ocean Podcast. Because I had such a great time chatting with him and my audience has grown so much recently, I thought It would be a great opportunity for you to get to know me more so that you can learn about how I got to where I am today and learn from my experiences and path from traditional research scientist to online business owner in content creation for wildlife careers and science, conservation, and nature education.  
I have a very unconventional career path with many unexpected twists and turns. For the first 17 years of my career, I went about this career through the traditional research route, but even this choice itself was unexpected. To be honest, I didn’t even know wildlife biology was a viable career path until I took a study abroad program in Kenya focused on wildlife management. You’ll learn how I stumbled upon this program and why I chose it. From there I participated in multiple internships, got a Ph.D. studying forest elephants, and had multiple postdocs. 
Andrew and I get real about what it’s like to have a lasting career in this field. I talk about the hardships of trying to find a permanent position while working to stay in a place that I loved (Raleigh, North Carolina) and navigating an oversaturated wildlife job market. I truly was shocked by how few permanent jobs I was truly qualified for, how closely job experience needs to match job descriptions, and how competitive the field is, even for people with PhDs. I was told I would not be pigeon-holed, but I was. 
We spend some time discussing the competitiveness of this career and what I teach students: that finding clarity, being strategic about experience and networking, and improving job applications, are the keys to success through a proven framework that I’ve now tested with dozens of students. 
I thought I was going to be a researcher for life, but my journey took me in another direction. The difficulties I had in landing a permanent job after my Ph.D. combined with the science communication experiences from years of postdocing at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences opened my eyes to my true fashion: science communication and career mentoring.
I decided to do this through entrepreneurship - something I never thought I would do! As a young girl, I grew up watching my dad run his jewelry business and never wanted that for myself, but over time I realized that I could only have the impact I wanted on conservation and the natural world through opening my own business. Andrew and I have an honest discussion about what it takes to run a business in this field, including the financial pressures and mindset. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business or side hustle, which I truly believe is something anyone can do in this field, and to be honest should do, this episode is for you. You’ll get my advice on how to get started and earn revenue by teaching your expertise in science and nature fields (or any other area of expertise!). 
As podcasters, Andrew and I are both passionate about science communication and we take a deep dive into how to effectively communicate science with the public. We talk about how my work at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, blogging, and public speaking, led me to recognize how much conservation solutions ultimately came down to reaching people and not through studying a species or its habitat (this is important, but not what it going to solve most conservation problems). I realized through studying a critically endangered species that no amount of research on this animal would save this species - rather, the solutions were all economic, political, or related to education. Getting others to care or have behavioral change would have a more profound impact on conservation for most problems and this was a big motivation for my career change.
Finally, Andrew and I discussed my work on TV shows, including how I first appeared on Science Channel’s What on Earth through a professional connection, and then later joined History Channel’s The Proof Is Out There after producers found my YouTube video explaining why “black panthers” aren’t present in the U.S. I go over what it’s like to prepare for filming a television, how often it happens, and what I’ve learned about what audiences find fascinating when it comes to wildlife and nature, like bigfoot and other cryptids - a total surprise to me! 
Whether you are a new friend here to the podcast or a longtime listener, this is a really great episode to get a behind the scenes look at what I do professionally, as well as what it's like to be both a researcher working many different kinds of jobs in the wildlife profession. 
More specifically, I reveal:
How I went from a straight career path of wildlife research to founding and running my own business
Why a Kenya study abroad was a pivotal moment for me when I realized wildlife biology was a real career
My Ph.D. research on forest elephant social behavior and using non-invasive genetics from their poop to study social structure
How saturated and competitive wildlife conservation jobs are, even with a Ph.D.
Why alignment between your experience and the job posting matters so much
The biggest reasons people don’t get interviews (and what to change in applications)
How investing in yourself can affect follow-through and results
How I started my own business in 2020 and ways you can generate revenue through an online business
What it’s like to do science communication on TV and how I landed roles on the Science, History, and Discovery channels
How being a scientist is similar to being an entrepreneur
My advice for anyone considering a side hustle or online business
And MORE!

Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?🌿🐘 Then…
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 
Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/148-stephanie-manka-wildlife-career/

Jump links:
00:43 What You’ll Learn: From Researcher to Small Business Owner + TV & Bigfoot
06:39 Stephanie’s Origin Story: Business Owner Dad, Acting Dreams, Biology Backup
08:47 The Kenya Study-Abroad That Sparked a Wildlife Biology Career
12:21 PhD & Postdocs: Forest Elephants, Job-Market Reality Check, and Not Wanting to Move
15:28 Pivot to Science Communication: Blogging, Museum Work, and Going Full-Time
16:41 Do You Miss Research? Impact, Education, and the ‘People Problem’ in Conservation
19:31 Starting the LLC in 2020: Ads, Programs, Book Income, and Making It Work
26:22 Wildlife Careers Are Saturated: Clarity, Strategy, Networking, and Strong Applications
32:20 Paid Help vs DIY: Free Resources, Resume Reviews, and Why Investing Changes Commitment
38:48 Creating a Supportive Mentoring Space in a Tough Science Culture
45:09 From YouTube to History Channel: Landing TV Science Communication Gigs
49:00 What TV Taught Me: Curiosity, Cryptids, and Explaining the Unknown
52:26 What’s Next: Refocusing on Science Communication + Kids/Nature Programs
57:24 One Big Business Tip: Teach What You Know and Start Small Online

Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Making observations in nature isn’t just about what we see. Scientists use (almost) all of their senses to make observations, and in this video, we are focusing on the sense of touch. After exploring nature through sight, sound, and smell, it’s now time to focus on the textures of nature and discover how different plants, surfaces, and organisms actually feel. Make sure to watch the ENTIRE video and read ALL of the text here for best practices for you and wildlife, as well as helpful apps to identify organisms.
In this activity, I challenge you to head outside and search for as many different textures as you can find in nature. Can you find something rough like bark? Soft like moss? Fuzzy, smooth, or prickly? Even in wintertime, you'll find lots of different textures to explore!
IMPORTANT: Before touching anything, make sure you know what wildlife in your area could be harmful, such as poison ivy or venomous animals. If you’re ever unsure about an organism, don’t touch it.
Some organisms may surprise you! For instance, I talk about the cup plant, which has leaves that feel like tough sandpaper.
Even in wintertime, you'll find lots of different textures to explore!
IMPORTANT: Before touching anything, make sure you know what wildlife in your area could be harmful, such as poison ivy or venomous animals. If you’re ever unsure about an organism, don’t touch it. Tools like the Seek by iNaturalist app can assist with identifications through their built-in AI system. 
IMPORTANT: When it comes to animals, completely avoid touching mammals and birds, as this can harm them. Some amphibians, reptiles, and insects may be handled carefully if they are safe and non-venomous, and any animal you handle should be handled minimally and released afterward to reduce stress on the animal. Wear gloves when handling amphibians to protect their sensitive skin.
Observing nature through touch and the other senses helps kids slow down and mindfully engage with their surroundings. I invite you to ask your children to reflect not only on WHAT they feel, but HOW they feel. For instance, how does being in nature make your child feel? Calm? Curious? Excited? 
Join us as we step outside, explore textures, and practice observing the natural world with fresh curiosity!
Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:
👉 Seek app: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Resources mentioned in this video:
👉 Seek app: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/147-touch
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Scientists use most of their senses to conduct observations, a critical step in conducting research, and one of those senses is SMELL. We might not think of nature as being smelly, but we get so many of our everyday smells from nature. From the scents in our perfumes, deodorants, or candles to bringing nature into our homes to change the smell (think flowers or pine branches during the holidays) to our cleaning products, nature provides an abundance of smells.
In this video, you'll learn about the different smells in nature and be prompted to step outside and start observing the natural world, focusing on your sense of smell to discover things you've never noticed before. Go on a "Smelling Safari" and see how many different scents your nose can pick up!
In addition to the good smells of nature, there are also many that aren't so good. Discover interesting plants like the corpse plant and skunk cabbage, and why these plants have stinky smells to begin with. Explore how animals use scents for communication.
Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:
👉Merlin BirdID app
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/146-smell
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Today, we’re tuning into the world of animal sounds and learning to observe nature like true scientists. We’ll sharpen our sense of SOUND, and I’ll introduce an activity to close your eyes and listen to the natural world around you. Once you start REALLY listening, you’ll be amazed at how noisy our world really is. You’ll likely hear birds, mammals, and, depending on the time of year, insects and maybe even herps like amphibians!
You'll also notice how much noise HUMANS make. Planes flying overhead, cars driving by, the sounds of lawnmowers, and leafblowers are just a few things you are likely to hear. How do these sounds affect animals? Called noise pollution, these sounds can actually impact an animal's survival. Through this video and activity, you'll be exploring how and why.
Learn how to document these sounds in a nature journal and discover how different times of the day and seasons influence what you hear. I'll also introduce you to the Merlin ID app, which helps identify bird species by their calls. 
Once you start REALLY listening, you’ll be amazed at how noisy our world really is. You’ll likely hear birds, mammals, and, depending on the time of year, insects and maybe even herps like amphibians.
Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/

Resources mentioned in this video:
👉Merlin BirdID app
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg 

Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/145-listen
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/

Animal behavior is one of my FAVORITE topics, and we’re studying it through an animal you’ve probably seen a thousand times but never truly observed: squirrels!
Why squirrels? They’re abundant, easy and fun to watch (one of my friends called them “our” monkeys), and perfect for learning how scientists study behavior in the real world. In this video, I talk about:
What animal behavior is 💡
The kinds of animals scientists study to understand behavior 🌍
How YOU can help scientists by joining Project Squirrel 🐿️
What data you’ll collect and why it matters 📊

📓 The bonus animal behavior ethogram activity you’ll get inside the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club, as well as worksheets on using squirrels to conduct observations on foraging, communication, habitat use, and personalities
In Project Squirrel, you’ll help scientists figure out where different species live, why they live there, and how human activity impacts them. Even if you don’t see squirrels, your observations still help real researchers! Understanding where squirrels don’t live is just as important as understanding where they do live.
Plus:
🐦 If squirrels aren’t in your area, you can conduct the same exercises with birds and submit your observations to help scientists at eBird.
🦅 We’ll also preview upcoming winter bird-focused projects, so start sharpening your bird observation skills.
Whether you’re a curious kid, parent, teacher, or nature lover, this video and the downloadable activities in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club will get you outside, observing, asking questions, and contributing to community science.
Let’s explore animal behavior squirrel-style! 🐿️✨
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! You'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to connect people with nature so that we can restore our planet while rediscovering who we really are.
Full Show Notes:
👉 https://stephanieschuttler.com/144-project-squirrel/
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/