What Can I Do with a Degree in Entomology?

What Can I Do with a Degree in Entomology?

Tanner Felbinger, 2017 Terminix Entomology Intern

November 15, 2017

Tanner Felbinger, sophomore at the University of Florida, has worked, what some might call, an atypical internship this past summer. One of her tasks was studying and identifying insects for the Terminix technical department. The urgent requests for identification usually came in the form of a blurry snapshot posted to Facebook, but occasionally someone would capture the specimen in an envelope and send it for closer inspection.

Tanner plans to study entomology after she completes her undergraduate degree and hopes to encourage other students to consider the possibilities of a career in this industry. As her internship came to a close, Tanner sat down with Terminix entomologists, Paul Curtis and Doug Webb, to learn about how they found themselves working in entomology, what young scientists should keep in mind as they launch their careers, and the importance of never underestimating one’s self.

Tanner Felbinger: Entomology isn’t necessarily a well-known science; what led you to a career in an entomology-based profession?

Doug Webb: When people first think of entomology, they may not realize all of the opportunities that are available and the pathways to get there. For me, my formal education wasn’t in entomology, it was in wood science and technology. I really became interested in an entomology-based profession while I was attending pest control industry meetings with one of my professors during graduate school. And I learned there was a lot more to this industry, including the opportunity to help improve people’s lives and to preserve and utilize wood, one of our most valuable natural resources.

Paul Curtis: I worked in the mining industry with a background in chemistry and I became interested in entomology through an employment change. I went to work for a pest management company and discovered these obscure facts about arthropods that I never even imagined. This piqued my interest and started me on the path toward entomology.

Tanner: Doug, you mentioned that you discovered there is much more to know about the pest control industry than you originally thought. So, if you could set the record straight about a common myth about any entomology or STEM industry, what would it be?

Doug: The more you look into entomology, the more you realize how important its studies are to society—encompassing everything from basic health-related issues to the food we eat to the many products and activities we enjoy. A common myth is entomologists are just bug nerds, glued to a microscope, looking at bugs, collecting them, that kind of thing. That’s certainly an element of entomology, but most of these bug nerds have a global mindset and are thinking forward to how their study can benefit the human condition.

Tanner: Both of you work at the Terminix headquarters—Doug, as a manager of technical services and Paul as a director of technical services. Which part of your jobs do you find most exciting?

Doug: I’ve always gotten a lot of satisfaction out of helping people. In the field, I was able to help protect people’s homes from the devastation of termites and other pests. Now in the corporate environment, I can impact a lot more people. In addition to helping customers nationwide, I can aid our technicians in getting the proper training and resources they need to be successful in their careers and improve their lives.

Paul: Variety is really the hot button for me. If I had to single out just one of my responsibilities, I would be most excited about research and development. It goes back to my love of finding things that no one knows. It’s just great to me that I can be identifying an insect in the morning and conducting a meeting or interview in the afternoon.

Tanner: Where do you see the entomology field in 5 to 10 years?

Doug: There certainly won’t be a decline in the need for entomologists. The impact of insects is escalating. The current news surrounding Zika, West Nile and tick-borne diseases indicates a public health focus for the field. I also see a lot more research in the medical field having to do with products that can be derived from insects, like pharmaceuticals and other beneficial products. I definitely see that field having a lot of room for growth.

Paul: With the advent of readily accessible DNA tools, I think that we may see changes in how species are described [classified] and continue to discover new ones. Because there is greater interest in entomology today due to its popularization through entertainment channels, we will see more qualified people who are focusing on aspects of entomology that we perhaps haven’t thought about before.  

Tanner: How do you suggest a student prepare for a successful career in any STEM field, but entomology in particular?

Paul: I think young people underestimate themselves, and when they look at others, they may believe they’re not as qualified to get involved in the sciences. People come from different backgrounds and varied cultural experiences. Everyone learns in different ways. So, I would hate for anyone to ever underestimate their scientific potential because they are more creative than analytic. There’s a lot of focus on critical thinking, logic, and the scientific method in STEM fields, but some of the greatest inventions and discoveries occurred because someone had a flash of insight.  

Tanner: For a parting question, what’s the best advice you can give to a young scientist that you wish someone had shared with you?

Paul: Stick with it! Make sure that you engage with whatever avenue of study or discipline of science that you want to be involved with. Find something that you are truly passionate about and feel you would like to see change or something through which you could make a difference.

Doug: Make a good, conscious decision of what you want to do, and then be proud of what you accomplish. Don’t think that your value is low just because you don’t understand the whole picture. Companies need smart people that can solve their most pressing issues so that the company, as well as its employees, can grow and prosper. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for fair compensation for your work—I’ve worked with lots of scientists that oftentimes focus so much on their work that they fail to focus on their own well-being. I’m not saying be greedy, I just mean place appropriate value on what you do and recognize your accomplishments.

Tanner Felbinger is currently studying at the University of Florida. She’s an Entomology & Nematology major with a minor in Sustainability and plans to attend grad school for Entomology after she completes her undergraduate degree. At school, Tanner is involved in the Entomology Club, teaches group fitness classes at the campus gyms, and is an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Phil Koehler’s Urban Entomology lab and focuses on control methods for bed bugs. When she’s not in class, Tanner enjoys practicing yoga, listening to music, and binge-watching Netflix with friends.

Doug Webb is Technical Services Manager, Entomology and Regulatory Services, with Terminix International. He obtained his Master of Science degree in Wood Science and Technology from Mississippi State University, having specialized in Wood-Destroying Insects and Wood Deterioration. He has served Terminix customers across the United States for over 34 years.

Paul Curtis is a Board-Certified Entomologist with two decades of experience in the Pest Control industry. In his role as Director, Commercial and National Accounts at Terminix, he has been able to work with leaders in the entomological, medical, pest control, legal, and educational fields who are focused on minimizing the negative impacts of arthropod activity on businesses and homes.