About ME
I am living my dream of being a marine biologist and now you can live the dream vicariously through me without having to put in the hard work!
Read my story and help me pay off my student loans :)
My story
“Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.”
When I was in middle school I started to think seriously about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I chose marine biology because of all the things I wanted to do in life, working with marine mammals on a regular basis was the only activity that I couldn’t do unless I had a degree in that field. I could accomplish all of my other goals with the right amount of money and without a degree. So I decided to go to college and study marine biology and figure out a different way to make money.
Well things are working out nicely but I haven’t quiet figured out how to enhance my financial situation. My primary goal right now is to pay off my student loans of $15,000.
College
At a young age I decided to live life to the fullest and that philosophy has greatly influenced many of my decisions. When I decided that I was going to turn down a full scholarship to a local college in order to attend college in Hawaii everyone from my small town was shocked. I graduated High School with honors and the following fall I attended the University of Hawaii majoring in marine science. I received many scholarships but still had to rely on student loans - it was defiantly worth it. I took classes like marine biology, physical and chemical oceanography, marine research, and ecology and evolution. I loved the hands on learning and the experience of being immersed in a completely different culture.
Internship
After I graduated from college, I applied for many internships and accepted one from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. I worked that summer, and in the fall I went to Sarasota to work as an unpaid intern with florida manatees for three months. I was especially fortunate to work in the manatee department because not only did I get to real experience as a manatee trainer, but I was also able to train sea turtles and nurse sharks, as well as closely observe the resident dolphins.
While I was completing my internship I began to research job opportunities. I discovered that I was not well prepared to enter the field of marine mammal training. I found that although my degree was acceptable, a psychology degree was preferable, and I should have done more to gain animal experience as a volunteer at animal shelters and zoos. Nevertheless, I created a detailed resume of my strengths and experiences and emailed it to every marine mammal facility, as well as a few zoos, in the lower United Sates. And then I waited.
Dolphin Rescue
I finished my internship and returned home to continue looking for a job. The day before I was to interviewed for a job at a small town local zoo, I received an email from a non-profit Dolphin Rescue organization in Mississippi. I was so excited. I called them immediately to inquire about their request to speak with me. They said that they had an opening for a research assistant position and they thought that I might be interested. A few days later I did and interview and was hired on the spot and began work a month later. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a small organization where I could participate in marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, research, care, training, and education. A job position that involves all of these aspects is almost unheard of and I consider myself very lucky. I can see that I will have a wonderful career and life.
It is tough to get started in this career field and the meager staring salary for new marine biologists is not implicative of a college degree. I graduated college with a debt of $16,000 and now I am working a second job so that I can afford to pay back my loan. I know you have enjoyed my story. Please feel free to email me any questions you may have about marine biology.
