Learning statement
When I think about the moment in my life that I was the happiest, I remember how I felt last summer.
I was on San Juan Island, taking a course on marine invertebrate zoology at Friday Harbor Laboratories. This class sounds obscure, but it is incredible to learn about thousands of animals that most people in the world don’t even know exist, let alone have the opportunity to observe.
Anyways, I was sitting on the platform, which overlooks Friday Harbor and the San Juan Channel. It was the last night of the course, and I had packed to head home in the morning. I went out to look over the water one more time. For the first time, I felt like I had found my spark and my purpose. I realized that if I could continue doing marine research every day for the rest of my life, I would feel fulfilled and happy.
Initially, pursuing a career in marine biology feels risky; the pay is poor, the hours are crazy, and you never know what part of the world you will be working in. When I tell someone that I want to be a marine biologist, the first thing they usually tell me is how it is nearly impossible to be successful in this field. But honestly, what even is “success”? I feel the most fulfilled when I am continually being challenged and learning about things that excite me, and I do not believe that it is possible to achieve success without a sense of fulfillment in the work that one is doing.
Being a marine biologist is the most incredible job, in my opinion, because we have the opportunity to explore environments and observe animals that most people will never have the chance to see. My studies have shown me the vast amount of beauty there is to be overlooked, and I am beginning to understand what there is to be lost if humans do not take better care of our planet. I look forward to being involved in marine invertebrate research for the rest of my life, and one day I would love to teach and show people why invertebrates are so amazing.
You will notice that my portfolio includes many photographs; I hope that this will help convey the beauty that I see in biology and allow you to feel what I have felt during my time at UW.
I was on San Juan Island, taking a course on marine invertebrate zoology at Friday Harbor Laboratories. This class sounds obscure, but it is incredible to learn about thousands of animals that most people in the world don’t even know exist, let alone have the opportunity to observe.
Anyways, I was sitting on the platform, which overlooks Friday Harbor and the San Juan Channel. It was the last night of the course, and I had packed to head home in the morning. I went out to look over the water one more time. For the first time, I felt like I had found my spark and my purpose. I realized that if I could continue doing marine research every day for the rest of my life, I would feel fulfilled and happy.
Initially, pursuing a career in marine biology feels risky; the pay is poor, the hours are crazy, and you never know what part of the world you will be working in. When I tell someone that I want to be a marine biologist, the first thing they usually tell me is how it is nearly impossible to be successful in this field. But honestly, what even is “success”? I feel the most fulfilled when I am continually being challenged and learning about things that excite me, and I do not believe that it is possible to achieve success without a sense of fulfillment in the work that one is doing.
Being a marine biologist is the most incredible job, in my opinion, because we have the opportunity to explore environments and observe animals that most people will never have the chance to see. My studies have shown me the vast amount of beauty there is to be overlooked, and I am beginning to understand what there is to be lost if humans do not take better care of our planet. I look forward to being involved in marine invertebrate research for the rest of my life, and one day I would love to teach and show people why invertebrates are so amazing.
You will notice that my portfolio includes many photographs; I hope that this will help convey the beauty that I see in biology and allow you to feel what I have felt during my time at UW.