11/13/2019
Meet Collin Funkhouser...
"As an undergraduate at Missouri State University (MSU), I joined The Wildlife Society (TWS) while getting my BS in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Marine Science. I knew I wanted to work with fish, researching and managing in some way. Joining TWS allowed me to connect with people of similar interests, gave me volunteer opportunities, and the ability to learn from others about various career paths. What on earth could I do with a degree in Wildlife Biology? TWS helped me by both steering me towards and, more importantly, away from potential careers. Particularly, it was during a trip to MNRC where I had my first draft of a resume and CV reviewed and edited, and was able to network with professionals in fisheries. It was eye-opening to see the breadth of work and opportunities out there. I learned so much during that one evening from both discussion with those in attendance, and listening in on conversations around me.
My time with TWS challenged me to take opportunities volunteering in laboratory research, GIS projects, and to pursue a MS and later a PhD. After leaving MSU, I traveled to Texas Tech University (TTU) to study West Texas and New Mexico endangered springsnail reproduction and habitat selection. Never forgetting the foundations learned from TWS, I networked with those around me, and learned all I could about their work, volunteering when I had time. After I graduated from TTU, I continued on to a PhD with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), studying morphology induced variation through abiotic and biotic stressors in an introduced species of fish. Nearing completion of that work, I took a position with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in the Streams Unit as a Watershed Streams Biologist, working at the watershed level to implement scientifically sound management practices.
Looking back at my time with TWS, I believe the key takeaway has been to build relationships with those around you, and being open to learn from new experiences: to never stop learning from others. Resource management is ultimately the management of people, and is done by partnering with them to make the resource better for everyone. Resource management cannot be done siloed and alone, but rather is made stronger and more robust when you reach out to other disciplines and viewpoints. Bring everyone to the table and you will be amazed at how much better the end results will be."
