• Too much networking? Unheard of!
• Ask all the questions you can!
• Visit the Refuge (6 feet away from everyone)

When it comes to networking, there’s really no such thing as “too much.” Before this fellowship, I used to get nervous when meeting new people and I now look back on what could’ve been a great contact, had I not been so shy. Through the Directorate Fellowship Program, I’ve met with people in and out of my region. I’m so thankful for every interaction and I make it a point to try my best to form a connection. A lot of us may struggle to find things to talk about since most meetings are in regard to our projects. Here’s what I found to be helpful: Explaining how excited you are about working with someone goes a long way! It actually serves as a great conversation starter and you’ll likely learn that the person you’re meeting with is just as excited to work with you!

Online/video meetings also pose as the perfect opportunity for asking questions! If you’re like me, you sometimes struggle to find something to talk about. I learned that writing questions down the second you think of them is a great way to prepare for any online meeting. Preparing your questions beforehand allows you to plan out what your online meeting may be like, and also ensures that there’s no time wasted. I also found that asking the same question to more than one person allows you to get opinions from all the different angles on the topic. And if you run out of time during your meeting, the last thing you should ask is if you can contact that person with any additional questions you may come up with.

While we can gain a lot of experience and lessons from these online/video meetings, sometimes we can still feel a bit disconnected, and that’s okay. Many of us were excited to work hands-on and travel to our sites, but due to the circumstances, that might not be possible. To combat this feeling of disconnection, I suggest taking a visit to the refuge in your area. It serves as a great opportunity to network, ask questions, and learn more about what FWS does in your region. I visited mine and learned about what native plant species are present in the Ritidian wildlife refuge unit. It was so nice to physically see some of what I’ve learned about as a DFP. I encourage you to check out your local refuge (while maintaining social distancing!) to network, ask questions, and learn as much as you can.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Ecological Services Marianas Field Office