Call of the Wild

Working with wildlife was something Ethan Parker had always known he wanted to do. He had wanted to work as a wildlife scientist since he was a young boy and saved a wounded falcon. He pictured himself hiking through thick rainforests, tagging wolves that were in risk of going extinct, or getting involved in conservation initiatives to conserve endangered species.

But the real world was far less glamorous.

Equipped with a degree in biology and several hours of unpaid internships, Ethan believed he had done everything correctly. He had volunteered at animal sanctuaries, engaged on research projects, and even lived in a tent for a summer while stalking bobcats. However, he remained jobless months after graduating, caught in the never-ending loop of job applications, emails of rejection, and the dreaded statement: "We've decided to move forward with another candidate."

His biggest hurdle? Experience.

Every entry-level position required at least three to five years in the field. But how was he supposed to get experience if no one would hire him? He scoured job boards, applied for positions across the country, and networked at conferences. The answer was always the same—he was a strong candidate, but not quite strong enough.

Then came an opportunity.

A small conservation group in Montana needed a field technician to assist with grizzly bear tracking. The catch? It paid slightly above minimum wage, had no benefits, and necessitated relocation to a remote cottage for six months. Ethan paused.

He had a mountain of bills, rent, and college loans. He may earn more money by working in retail. However, the prospect of working with grizzlies, even in the most basic capacity, rekindled his passion, so he packed his bags and relocated to Montana. The work was demanding, involving long days in the wilderness, inclement weather, and unpredictable encounters with wildlife. He frequently second-guessed his choice, but every day he gained the practical experience he had been lacking, learning how to track bears, gather data, and deal with the unpredictability of fieldwork. By the end of the season, another opportunity arose—a research assistant position studying jaguars in the Amazon, for which he qualified this time. Ethan was still not making much, and the difficulties didn't stop there.

But as he stood in the thick rainforest and heard a jaguar's distant call, he realized that this was his destiny.