When I was an undergrad at Florida State University, I volunteered in the RK Godfrey Herbarium. I originally volunteered to learn more about plants, but I soon found that I enjoyed working in collections. My part was small - mounting plant specimens and their data to archival paper - but I knew that those specimens could be used to understand changes in phenology, species ranges, or even nutrient composition over time. It felt exciting to be a part of it.
When I lived in Chicago, I entered data for the Birds Division of the Field Museum. I could usually only commit to about three hours every week, but little by little I made my way through many years of records of birds donated by a nearby wildlife rehabilitation facility. Recently, Field Museum scientists were able to use these data to show that birds have been shrinking over time, likely related to climate change.
I doubt I will ever want to work exclusively in natural history collections, but I will always get excited when I hear about new findings that are only possible because of these collections.
When I lived in Chicago, I entered data for the Birds Division of the Field Museum. I could usually only commit to about three hours every week, but little by little I made my way through many years of records of birds donated by a nearby wildlife rehabilitation facility. Recently, Field Museum scientists were able to use these data to show that birds have been shrinking over time, likely related to climate change.
I doubt I will ever want to work exclusively in natural history collections, but I will always get excited when I hear about new findings that are only possible because of these collections.