After receiving an associates of science degree while playing volleyball, my not-too-distant plans were to become an X-ray associate to an MRI technician. I have spent the past 3 years working in a hospital and an outpatient diagnostic imaging facility to prepare for my future, though two years in, realization set in. While waiting to hear about my application status for a radiography program, the reality was, I was not excited about the possibility of being accepted. I reflected on the environment I had experienced and the growth I had obtained working with technicians of all imaging modalities with great fondness and gratitude, but I was missing the signs where my personality and intentions really stood.
I found myself in a place of raw honesty after not getting accepted by just one rank. While I loved patient care and aimed to be a positive moment in rough times, life slammed me into a place of close reliability to those I aided. I could continue to become an X-ray Technician, even though my heart now empathized and hurt in a unique way with each case, or I could take time to reevaluate.
Not too long after, the signs that were always there made themselves clear. Part of my personal foundation had always been with aquatic life and the ocean. I grew up raising a variety of fish, from indoor tanks to outdoor ponds, which led to my first marine biology class and interest in marine animals. At the beginning of my teen years, I saved to buy my own saltwater tank. Caring for and learning about the world of marine life, from fish to corals, turned into a seven-year hobby. Not only did I have a history of caring for marine life, but I have also always had an at-home-feeling of being in the ocean and observing what sea life is in the surroundings. With this realization, I knew I had to look into what a career involving this passion would include.
I ultimately furthered my education at Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s in marine biology. In caring for a saltwater aquarium, insight into the building blocks of the marine ecosystem, and types and lifestyles of coral stuck with me at a stronger level. I hope to pursue research in reef rehabilitation and/or focus on research on octopuses and cuttlefish. In this hope, I am actively obtaining scuba certifications and volunteer opportunities with the Virginia Aquarium. Although my journey to this point has been winding, my experience in the field has equipped me with adaptability and critical thinking skills. When combined with my passion for marine life, these attributes and experiences position me as a strong candidate to make meaningful research contributions to the field of marine biology.