Just talked with my boss today, and it was pretty exciting. I had thought a lot about leaving this job because I’m only a seasonal worker, and I’ve learned about as much as I could in my current capacity here. I was thinking about getting a research-based job, because that’s the experience that I really need more of. Anyways, had a chat with my boss and he told me basically that I’m an asset they don’t want to lose, and since the department is expanding he wants to work with me to keep me here.

What it came down to was me being hired on as a full time employee, with half of my time spent on my own restoration projects, and the other half spent on research. Any research that I could possibly think of doing, I hopefully would be able to do. I probably wouldn’t be able to publish, but I think the experience of essentially running my own research division would cancel that out.

I’m so excited about this. It still has to be cleared by the owners of the company, but I have a good feeling. I’ve already thought of about ten different experiments I could set up next year.

Congrats, man! For those of us know on the up-and-up, where are you working?

That’s awesome, Zach! Congratulations! :)

I’m working for Minnesota Native Landscapes, which is based in Otsego, which is outside of Rogers a little bit.

SWEET.

Why wouldn’t you be able to publish? I bet you could swing something. Maybe look for UMN faculty who’ve done similar work, explain your research, and split authorship with them? They get an easy paper and you get a reputable faculty anchor as well as analytical advice if you need it.