132-8 Pathways to Careers in Conservation Paleobiology: A New Online Resource for Students, Educators, and Mentors

Session: Diversifying Geoscience Education Across the Academic Playing Field: Using Creative Methods to Foster the Current and Next Generations of Geoscience Professionals (Posters)


Poster Booth No.: 220

Presenting Author:

Patricia Kelley

Authors:

Kelley, Patricia H.1, Dietl, Gregory2, Leonard-Pingel, Jill3, Riedinger-Whitmore, Melanie4, Siggery, Benjamin5, Fass, Dave6, Goben, Jaleigh Q.7, Kahanamoku, Sara8, LeFebvre, Michelle J.9, Miller, Joshua H.10, Mychajliw, Alexis M.11, Savarese, Michael12, Smith, Jansen13, Viteri, Maria14, Wittmer, Jacalyn Marie15r> (1) Earth and Ocean Sciences, Univ North Carolina Wilmington, Monroe, WA, USA, (2) Paleontological Research Institution/ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA, (3) Ohio State University, Newark, OH, , (4) University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA, (5) Surrey Wildlife Trust, Surrey, USA, (6) Dave Fass Website & Digital Ecosystems Services, New Bedford, MA, USA, (7) Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA, (8) University of Hawaii, Manoa, HI, USA, (9) Randell Research Center, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, (10) University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA, (11) Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, USA, (12) Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA, (13) University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA, (14) The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, CA, USA, (15) State University of New York College at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, USA,

Abstract:

Preparing students for careers in conservation paleobiology (CPB) requires competencies and skills that extend beyond those typically fostered by geology and paleontology courses and programs.  Students, educators, and mentors therefore need accessible resources that support career exploration and education. To address this need, the Conservation Paleobiology Network’s “Pathways to Careers in Conservation Paleobiology” Working Group (henceforth “Pathways”), with support from a Paleontological Society Education and Outreach grant, is developing a new website intended to serve as a community-built hub for career exploration, educational resources, and community collaboration.

This presentation introduces the website, demonstrates its key features, and invites the CPB community to help shape its future development. Designed for students (primarily undergraduate and graduate), educators, and mentors, the website illustrates possible career pathways through interactive career story maps that follow individual conservation paleobiologists from their education journey to entry-level positions to current roles. Along the way, the story maps highlight job responsibilities, the skills needed to succeed, and how and why specific education and career moves were made.

Beyond career exploration, the website also features Pathways products such as open access publications regarding core competencies and skills needed in CPB, pedagogical approaches to fostering them, best practices in mentoring CPB students, and a variety of pedagogical resources (model curricula, syllabi, reading lists, lab and field exercises, case studies, projects, service-learning activities, assessment vehicles, etc.). An interactive map connects students with educators and training programs in CPB, and community members are encouraged to contribute educational resources, share career stories, and expand the collection of training opportunities. By enabling ongoing community contributions, the website is intended to evolve alongside the field, strengthening CPB education and lowering barriers to careers in conservation paleobiology. Learn more, explore the website, and contribute at: www.conpaleopathways.org.






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Pathways to Careers in Conservation Paleobiology: A New Online Resource for Students, Educators, and Mentors

Category

Discipline > Paleontology, Paleoecology/Taphonomy

Description


Session Format: Poster

Presentation Date: 10/12/2026

Presentation Room: CCC, Hall F

Poster Booth No.: 220

Author Availability: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

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