The OSU Student Subunit Can Serve as an Introduction to Fisheries Science What exactly is fisheries science? In the past, management tended to be viewed strictly from a hunting/fishing perspective. The primary goals were to restore over-exploited fish stocks and improve fishing success. Those goals still influence fisheries management, but the field has become more complex and more reliant on scientific principles. Graduate students are exposed to many of these issues on a routine basis, but undergraduate students often are not. The OKAFS Student Chapter serves as a source of education, and links graduate students and fisheries professionals with students seeking experience. The OSU Student Subunit Can Serve as an Entry Point into the Profession As with most careers, one of the most difficult steps is breaking into the profession and getting your first job. You often need contacts within the profession in order to get that first job. One of the easiest ways to network with professionals is at meetings, but meetings may often be intimidating to inexperienced students (and even experienced students!). The OKAFS Student Chapter encourages participation by students at fisheries meetings and provides support for our peers. The OSU Student Subunit Can Provide Opportunities for Student Recognition Each January, the OSU Student Subunit offers a Fisheries Involvement Award to undergraduates and first-year graduate students from Oklahoma universities. The Jimmie Pigg Student Travel Scholarship is offered by OKAFS to help students attend fisheries meetings. OKAFS usually offers lower registration for students at the OKAFS Annual Meeting in February, and awards were given for the top two student presentations. Additional awards exist at regional and national levels of AFS. How to Become a member of OSU Student Subunit of AFS Student members of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Fisheries Society are automatically considered a member of the OSU Student Subunit. Those students wishing to become members need only join the state chapter. A membership form can be downloaded here. Mailing instructions are included on the form. If you would like to join the Parent Society, you can join on the AFS website and pay your OKAFS dues at the same time. Dues for OKAFS are only $5 per year. For more information on the OSU Student Subunit, please contact us at (405) 744-6342, or stop by and visit us at 404 Life Sciences West on the Oklahoma State University campus. Please feel free to e-mail your questions and comments to our President Chase Ehlo or to our Webmaster Dan Moore. Oklahoma State University 404 Life Sciences West Stillwater, OK 74078