For as long as I can remember, I have always loved anything and everything that had to do with animals. Looking back, my favorite places I would go to as a child would be zoos and aquariums. Even going to a pet store would bring me so much joy and happiness. As I got older, I realized not only did I want to see the animals, but I also wanted to learn about them as well. I wanted to know their habits, what they ate, where they came from, how they functioned? I would often beg my mom to buy me books on them so I could find the answers to all my questions. As much as I loved all animals, there was one that I always came back to. When my mom bought me my first book on sharks, I became extremely engrossed in it. Before that first book, I never truly comprehended all the varied species of sharks that existed, and I became enthralled. Then in 3rd grade, my teacher asked the students to go home and think about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Normally, students are asked this question multiple times in their life, but it is not taken as seriously in elementary school as it would be in high school or college. Even so, I recall going home and discussing it with my mom. As I previously stated, I have always loved animals, so I considered being veterinarian, but for sharks. At the time I did not know the proper term was marine biology until my teacher explained it to me. As the years went by, the career question continuously came up and many of the students’ answers changed, but mine has always stayed the same. It has been almost 17 years since I was first asked that question and now, I am currently a junior at Old Dominion University, majoring in marine biology.
As a junior in college, it is becoming crucially important to have a plan for my future either academically or professionally. Over the years, I have had multiple different plans that I have gone back and forth on. I am confident that I want to pursue graduate studies eventually, but I am currently debating if I should pursue it immediately after graduating with my bachelor’s degree or if I should pursue a professional career first and then go back for my master’s degree later in life. I have been at war with myself over this decision for a while now and unfortunately, I still am questioning what to do. Although I am unsure about when to pursue graduate studies, I am confident in what I would like to focus on when it comes to marine biology as a career. Sharks have always been my passion and my heart broke when I first learned how many species are either threatened or endangered due to pollution, overfishing, poaching, and global warming. I had an overwhelming need to help in any way I could. I immediately started researching what I could do to aid the shark population. I came across many non-profit organizations such as NOAA, SARRI, and Sharks Angels. These organizations are doing everything they can to save not only sharks, but all the ocean’s ecosystem. I felt drawn to these organizations and all the astounding work they are doing. It was then I realized that I had the desire to be a part of something bigger and to truly be able to make a difference.
I often think back to when I first said I wanted to be a marine biologist at eight years old. At the time I was only interested in their behavior and mannerisms, plus I thought it would be cool to swim with them. Now I am twenty-three years old, and I am still obsessed with them, but I now know I want to focus on rehabilitation and conservation. I want to do everything in my power to reintroduce and replenish all the threatened and endangered shark species in our oceans. I want to bring our oceans back to life. That is my life’s true calling. I know I have many steps to take before I get there, but I am determined to do whatever I can!