Podcast explores how being a BCE boosts professional possibilities

Podcast explores how being a BCE boosts professional possibilities

Tune in to “The BCE Podcast” and you’ll instantly grasp what the next 45 minutes will cover, thanks to its catchy theme song: “They’re buggy, they’re nerdy, they’re talkin’ six legs / Buzzin’ on the airwaves with their field note pegs / From beetles to bees, they just can’t get enough / Geeking out on bugs — yeah, the nerdy stuff! / Not for fame, not for clout, just because they care / It’s the bugcast, boys and girls — science in the air!

Adam Holt, BCE, and Chelle Hartzer, BCE, PCQI, teamed up in July to create and host the show. While the podcast is not affiliated with the Entomological Society of America (ESA), which runs the board-certified entomologist (BCE) program, it is dedicated to exploring the opportunities available to those who have earned or are thinking of sitting for the BCE exam.

Key takeaways

• The BCE designation is a key credential that demonstrates commitment to a career path and is essential for roles like consulting.
• “The BCE Podcast” provides an unfiltered look at the exam process, with guests sharing their study experiences, challenges and whether they passed on the first attempt.
• Professionalism is mandatory for the designation, as the ESA requires BCEs to adhere to a strict code of ethical standards to maintain certification.

The path for the future entomologist

The podcast’s mission is clear: “We envisioned a platform for nerdy future entomologists to potentially discover their path forward in becoming a BCE and what direction they want to take their career,” says Holt. Both Holt and Hartzer struck out on their own after years of working for various companies in the pest control industry, making them ideal mentors for those considering the professional leap.

Hartzer owns 360 Pest Consulting, where she helps small- to mid-size pest control companies reduce callbacks, boost customer satisfaction, empower staff with expert training and solve complex issues using proven strategies and scientific solutions. Holt owns NameDatBug Consulting Services, delivering practical, expert guidance to companies in the commercial, residential, agricultural, hospitality and pest control sectors.

The value of the credential

Holt knows firsthand the career opportunities the designation presents. “I wouldn’t be able to be a consultant without my BCE,” he notes. He strongly encourages the pursuit of the certification because “it adds that credential to what they already have and shows commitment to that next level of their career.”

The BCE is more than just a title; it signifies professionalism. The ESA requires those who earn the certification to adhere to a strict code of ethical standards to maintain their status.

Unfiltered assessments of the exam

Each episode features a current BCE who talks candidly about themselves and their jobs, sharing their wisdom with the audience. The hosts always ask their guests the same four questions:

1. When did you earn your BCE and how has it impacted your life?
2. What was preparing for the BCE like for you?
3. What advice do you offer to others who are currently studying for the BCE?
4. What’s your favorite bug?

Guests run the gamut from those who earned their BCE decades ago to “baby BCEs” who have had the designation for only a couple of years. The podcast also provides an unfiltered look at the inherent challenges of sitting for the exam. Guests have openly shared whether they passed the first time, the types of questions that tripped them up and how their education — whether in school or in the field — provided assistance.

Knowledge, networking and the ESA family

Holt and Hartzer believe strongly that knowledge is power. They and their guests take an honest look at how advanced credentials build credibility, advance careers and propel sustainable pest management technologies in the entomology field.

“We hope listeners want to be part of a bigger picture: the ESA family,” Holt says. The hosts also hope listeners take away the message that networking and fostering professional relationships are important, noting the power of tools like LinkedIn in advancing a career. The overarching message is that advanced knowledge and community are the engines that propel the professional entomologist forward.