As we learned to read in elementary school we were shown Dr. Seuss books, one of my favorites to this day being “The Lorax.” Camping trips would involve fishing, playing in the dirt, and finding small animals in the creek to bring home as pets to care for, much to the dismay of our families. In middle school, we were required to spend a week at our local, nature-centric sleep away camp where we learned about composting, recycling, and ecosystems. In high school. I remember berating classmates who put their papers in the trash instead of the recycling bin, teachers who didn’t turn the lights off when they left their classrooms, and anyone who didn’t have a reusable water bottle and was unfortunate enough to cross my path. My final paper in my AP English Language class was all about ocean conservation; the speech I was required to give about the paper was given as I streamed images of ocean life behind me and spoke confidently over a recording of ocean waves.
I thought I wanted to pursue a career as an architect after a career test in middle school, but by the time I sent out college applications I applied to schools offering programs in environmental science, ecology, or marine biology. I was after a career working with marine mammals and would ultimately end up studying at the University of Miami. I started out with a major in marine science and biology and would end up matriculating my degree in psychology with a minor in biology. In addition to my general coursework, I tailored my curriculum to cover areas that may have been beneficial in a career in areas such as marine mammal science, behavior, and education. The summer before my third year of college, I started my first marine mammal internship opportunity which would last eight months. Shortly after graduating I got my first job as a dolphin trainer and would spend the next three years at two facilities, one of which was the aquarium I grew up visiting which meant I got to work with the same dolphin I interacted with as a child.
As was to be expected, the privilege I had to form unique connections with the animals I worked with was the best part of the job. Unsuprisingly, I loved the conservation outreach side of the job as well.
68 - SEVENSEAS