Becoming a taxonomist depends on the field you want to work in, but a college degree is a good starting point. Online degrees are available, but accreditation should be checked. Networking and internships can also help in finding job opportunities.
There are many different ways to become a taxonomist and it depends a lot on your professional aspirations and the field you want to work in. Most people start with a college degree in taxonomy or a related discipline, but this isn’t always necessary; Sometimes such jobs can be obtained based on self-taught experience and knowledge. The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of job you want. A biological taxonomist who works naming and identifying extinct species or who studies plant variations often has a very different portfolio and list of skills than a person who practices taxonomy in the language that isolates root words and common origins; both, in turn, have little in common with the work of an information systems taxonomy specialist who spends time primarily on computer code. Formal education is almost always a good place to start, no matter your discipline, and talking to people who are already established in the field is also a good way to learn about specific job requirements and ways to get in.
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Taxonomy is basically any formal means of classifying and classifying things that are closely and intricately related to one another. Originally, it referred only to classifying organisms and was limited to biological scientists and researchers. The most common form of taxonomy remains Linnaean taxonomy, a classification system in which substances are classified into three main categories: animals, plants, and minerals. The basic ranks of the animal section of Linna’s taxonomy are species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, and kingdom.
Over time, the definition expanded and came to be used in other fields, such as sociology, where Emile Durkheim applied it to classify different types of human relationships. Economists also use variations of the field to do things like classify risks and identify types of financial transactions and securities exchanges. Another very popular field is computer science, where experts use taxonomy to classify codes and organize datasets. Simply saying that you want to become a taxonomist is, in that broad context, quite vague. To really achieve your goals, you need to first define exactly what it is of the taxonomy that interests you, and then determine which field or discipline area suits you best.
Pursue a degree program
A college degree is almost always a good place to start. Some academic institutions offer degrees in taxonomy in general or degrees in taxonomy related to a specific field, such as biology, but not all do. However, it’s generally a good idea to get extensive training in the field you want to work in, and in most cases only a degree in something is strictly necessary to get hired. A major in biology, economics or computer science is usually a good starting point, and taking courses in as many different areas as possible can also help show that your education was broad and comprehensive. Both are things that can be useful for a job in the classification sciences.
Some familiarity with foreign languages is also important. Latin or Romance languages based on Latin structures are especially useful for biological and medical taxonomists. Many of the organizational schemes in these fields use Latin terms. A good understanding of ancient Greek can be helpful for similar reasons.
Considerations for online training
Many different online schools and institutions offer online taxonomy degrees that can be very attractive to people with existing careers and limited time, as well as those who live in more remote areas, far from more traditional universities. However, these online degrees can vary in quality, so it’s generally a good idea to check the type of accreditation you’ll receive upon completing a program. Obtaining a degree from an unaccredited institution may not help you get a job, as it may not be recognized or accepted by employers.
Make connections in the field
Networking is also a really important part of most job searches, and meeting taxonomists who are working in your field can be a good way to make connections that could lead to future opportunities. On a more immediate level, meeting people and seeing their day-to-day work can give you an idea of whether or not you would be a good fit in the long run and help you make good career choices before you even start.
Many professionals will give you an informational interview or let you shadow them for the day. If you are in school, your career planning office may also have information about internships or apprenticeships you can do part-time or during school breaks to give you a better sense of the job, as well as to develop and grow your skills. marketable skills.
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