Preparing the Next Generation of Fisheries Professionals for Career Success

Natural resource professionals frequently have criticized universities for poorly preparing graduates to succeed in their jobs..  We surveyed members of the American Fisheries Society to determine which job skills and knowledge of academic topics employers, students and university faculty members deemed most important to early-career success of fisheries professionals.  Respondents also rated proficiency of recently-hired entry-level professionals (employers) or how well their programs prepared them for career success (students and faculty) in those same job skills and academic topics.  Critical thinking, written and oral communication skills topped the list of important skills and academic topics.  Employers perceived recent entry-level hires to be less well prepared to succeed in their careers than either university faculty or students.  Entry-level hires with post-graduate degrees rated higher in proficiency for highly important skills and knowledge than those with bachelor’s degrees. We conclude that although universities have primary responsibility for developing critical thinking and basic communication skills of students, employers have equal or greater responsibility for enhancing skills of employees in teamwork, field techniques and communicating with stakeholders.  The American Fisheries Society can significantly contribute to  preparation of young fisheries professionals by providing opportunities for continuing education and networking with peers at professional conferences.