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	<em>In this three-part series, Au Sable has asked three alumni from &#39;Molecular Tools for the Field Biologist&#39; course to describe their journey into molecular ecology.&nbsp;Biological science is a dynamic and ever-changing discipline, full of new and emerging areas. To keep our students at the forefront of environmental work, Au Sable began a class focusing on the revolutionary changes taking place in environmental and ecological science through molecular genetics. As the testimonies attest, Molecular Tools makes traditional naturalists uneasy at the thought, but quickly wins over students who see how it can be used to make a powerful difference in ecology, systematics, and conservation.</em></p>
<h2>
	Will Miller, MS Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University</h2>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}William-Miller-150pxl-adjusted(1).jpg" style="width: 150px; height: 189px; float: right;" /></p>
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	&lsquo;Why must I take genetics and molecular biology? &nbsp;I am never going to use either in my future career!&rsquo; &nbsp;This statement sums up a common sentiment that is shared among many aspiring ecologists, including myself during most of my time at Messiah College. &nbsp;This attitude influenced my course selection and research focuses, causing me to overlook beneficial electives such as molecular biology and molecular genetics. &nbsp;I remember my advisors telling me that molecular techniques are tools that can be used by ecologists as much as any other biologist, and I remember thinking to myself, &quot;Yeah right.&quot; &nbsp;All I can say now is I wish I would have listened earlier.</p>
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	I knew from a relatively early time during my undergrad that I was interested in going to graduate school with the eventual goal of becoming a professor myself. My undergraduate studies revolved around preparing myself to find a program where I could focus my research around animal ecology. When the time came to apply to graduate programs, I received a recurring message after talking with several potential advisors:</p>
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	&quot;Will, you have an impressive application and we wish we had a place for you, but our department does not have any open positions for an out-and-out ecologist.&quot;</p>
