From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife Conservation
Release Date: 10/09/2024
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin shares exciting news about the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of California. This sanctuary is groundbreaking as it is the first of its kind in California to be co-managed in partnership with Indigenous peoples, specifically the Chumash people. Spanning 4,500 square miles, the sanctuary will prohibit oil drilling and protect numerous cultural resources, including the suspected remains of ancient submerged villages. The designation of this marine protected area...
info_outline From Exploration to Ocean Solutions: How OceanX is Changing the Narrative on Ocean ConservationHow To Protect The Ocean
Dr. Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX, discusses the organization's evolution and its shift in messaging. OceanX was founded by Ray and Mark Dalio, inspired by the need to celebrate and protect the ocean. Initially, the focus was on conducting exciting scientific expeditions and showcasing the beauty of the ocean through compelling media. However, as OceanX gained popularity and recognition, they began to receive requests from governments and organizations seeking solutions to ocean-related issues. This prompted a pivot in their mission to not only highlight the...
info_outline Hurricanes, Politics, and Climate Change: Navigating the Stormy WatersHow To Protect The Ocean
Andrew Lewin discusses the intersection of politics and climate change, particularly in the context of recent hurricanes, Milton and Helene, that impacted Florida and surrounding areas. Andrew expresses frustration over the political responses to these natural disasters, highlighting how misinformation and conspiracy theories undermine genuine efforts to address climate change. He critiques the notion that the government is manipulating weather patterns to influence elections, arguing that such beliefs distract from the real issues, including the increasing intensity of hurricanes due to...
info_outline From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife ConservationHow To Protect The Ocean
Stephanie's Career Journey Early Interests and Education: Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting. She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation. Academic Path: Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research. After completing her PhD, she undertook...
info_outline 4ocean: 40 Million Pounds and Counting - The Impact of 4ocean on Ocean Cleanup EffortsHow To Protect The Ocean
Alex Schulze grew up on a small island on the west coast of Florida, where he developed a passion for the ocean through activities like surfing, diving, and fishing. He initially pursued a degree in ocean engineering but later switched to business management and entrepreneurship after realizing he preferred hands-on work over desk jobs. Inspiration: The idea for 4ocean emerged during a surf trip to Bali, where Alex and his friends were confronted with the stark reality of plastic pollution on the beaches. This experience motivated them to find a way to fund ocean cleanup efforts. Initial...
info_outline Inspiration to Action: How to Make a Difference for the OceanHow To Protect The Ocean
How to Get Inspired and Follow Your Dreams to Act for the Blue Find Your Inspiration: Look for stories or examples of individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the ocean. For instance, the podcast host shares an inspiring interview with a co-founder of a successful organization that has made a significant global impact. This can motivate you to think about what you can do. Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Acknowledge that fear of rejection or failure is common. The host emphasizes that many people hesitate to pursue their dreams due to these fears. It's important to push through...
info_outline She is talking about Oceanography on TikTok and has 98K followers!How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Paige Hoel, a recent PhD graduate in coastal eutrophication from UCLA and a popular science communicator on TikTok. With nearly 100,000 followers, Paige has gained recognition for her engaging storytelling about ocean science, particularly focusing on topics like the impacts of human activity on ocean health and the intricacies of coastal ecosystems. Paige shares her journey into oceanography, which began at a young age when she became fascinated by the ocean after watching a documentary about Dr....
info_outline Hurricane Helen: The Impact of Climate Change on Intense StormsHow To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin addresses the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helen, which has caused significant property damage and claimed 52 lives across the U.S., particularly in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The discussion centers around the implications of climate change on hurricane intensity and frequency, highlighting how storms are rapidly escalating in size and strength. Andrew also explores the current hurricane categorization system and the possibility of introducing a new category to better reflect the increasing severity of...
info_outline Building Baby Steps: How Small Goals Lead to Big Changes in Ocean Conservation and Climate ActionHow To Protect The Ocean
In this episode, we explore an engaging teaching exercise designed to help children understand the concepts of challenge and perseverance. A teacher sets out pieces of paper on the floor, guiding a young boy to give him a high five by stepping only on those papers. As the exercise progresses, the teacher gradually removes pieces of paper, increasing the distance the boy must jump to reach his goal. Each attempt illustrates the importance of overcoming obstacles and adapting to more challenging situations. The moral of the story emphasizes that while goals may become harder to reach,...
info_outline Politics vs. Science: The Troubling Future of Canada's Cod FisheryHow To Protect The Ocean
In this episode, we delve into the ongoing challenges facing the cod fishery in Canada, drawing parallels between the current situation and the historical 1992 moratorium on cod fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The discussion highlights how political pressures have repeatedly overridden scientific advice regarding fishing quotas, leading to detrimental outcomes for the cod population. We examine the recent push by fisheries unions and indigenous groups to increase the fishing quota from 15,000 tons to 25,000 tons, and the subsequent decision to raise it only to 18,000 tons despite...
info_outlineStephanie's Career Journey
Early Interests and Education:
Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting.
She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation.
Academic Path:
Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research.
After completing her PhD, she undertook two postdoctoral positions, one of which lasted five years in Raleigh, North Carolina, within the research triangle.
Transition to Science Communication:
While working at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Stephanie developed a love for science communication, blogging about her experiences and the challenges of the job market in wildlife biology.
She realized that her research, while valuable, often went unnoticed in academic journals and sought to make a more direct impact through communication and mentoring.
Establishing Her Business:
In April 2020, Stephanie launched her own business, focusing on career mentoring and science communication.
She began offering group programs and writing a book, leveraging her experiences to help others navigate the competitive job market in wildlife conservation.
Current Focus:
Stephanie now combines science communication with career mentoring, helping aspiring wildlife professionals improve their job applications and gain clarity on their career paths.
She emphasizes the importance of networking, gaining relevant experience, and crafting strong job applications tailored to specific roles.
Advice from Stephanie
Clarity and Strategy:
Identify what you truly want to do in your career. Having a clear goal helps in targeting the right opportunities and experiences.
Build Experience:
Gain a variety of experiences, especially those that align closely with your career goals. This may involve taking on multiple jobs or internships.
Networking:
Build and maintain a professional network. Connections can lead to job opportunities and valuable insights into the field.
Strong Job Applications:
Focus on writing compelling job applications. Many candidates struggle with this, often writing generic applications that do not highlight their unique experiences and skills.
Invest in Yourself:
Consider investing in career coaching or mentoring programs. This investment can lead to greater accountability and motivation, ultimately enhancing your chances of success.
Resilience and Dedication:
Persistence is key. The job market can be competitive, but with dedication and the right strategy, success is achievable.
Connect with Stephanie:
Website: https://stephanieschuttler.com/
Career Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/https://stephanieschuttler.com/3-pillars-to-success/
Fancy Scientist Podcast: https://stephanieschuttler.com/category/podcast/
Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp
Connect with Speak Up For Blue:
Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc
YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube