Symposium Summary: Preparing Fisheries Professionals with Depth and Breadth (T-Shaped Professionals)

Sponsor: AFS Socioeconomics Section

As fisheries science work becomes ever more interdisciplinary, the field requires that students and professionals not only have deep knowledge in their area of expertise, they must also have knowledge of multiple disciplines and systems, and the skills to span across them. This is where the “T” shape begins to take form. In our symposium, a wide array of speakers—communicators, managers, educators, and students— shared their experiences and tips on how to become more “T-shaped.” Presentations included an overview of the concept of the T-shaped professional and covered skills of interest for students and young fisheries professionals, as well as educators and researchers. Skills included how to form partnerships and work internationally, how to communicate with both academic and public audiences, what administrative skills are needed for management, and student and professional development opportunities. By learning about this concept and what skills are needed to become a successful fisheries professional, symposium attendees can continue to strive for the “T” shape, creating more effective working partnerships and interdisciplinary projects. Read the abstracts here.

—Erin Jarvie, Michigan State University, and Heather Triezenberg, Ph.D., Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Michigan State University