 What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am a professor of geography and oceanography at Oregon State University, responsible for teaching four or five courses a year in my specialties: oceanography, geographic information systems (GIS) and general earth science. I also maintain a strong research program in seafloor mapping, seafloor tectonics and GIS; advise undergraduate students; and help master's and Ph.D. students complete their theses and dissertations. In addition, I perform various kinds of professional and university service (serving on many committees, reviewing articles and proposals, organizing and attending conferences, etc.). I enjoy traveling all over the country for these activities and my research field work takes me to the central and southwest Pacific.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
Growing up in Hawaii and watching Jacques Cousteau on Sunday nights! Seriously!
What do like most about your career?
Going to sea on big research ships and working with the equipment at sea (particularly devices to map the ocean floor). I've also met some extremely interesting and fascinating people from all over the world.
What do you like least about your career?
Sometimes it takes forever (i.e., months to years) to get your ideas funded and then later published in a reputable journal. Both processes can be very laborious and difficult. But it is definitely worth it!
What do you do to relax?
I love cycling, watching cartoons with my dog, and going to movies with friends (particularly foreign or independent films). I also never turn down an opportunity to ride a roller coaster.
Who are your heroes/heroines?
I am a big fan of Sylvia Earle, not only because of her many scientific accomplishments but also because she is so captivating as a speaker and motivator to the general public. A good biography of her is online at: www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ear0bio-1. I also greatly admire my mother, as well as Winona LaDuke, Lani Guinier, Amy Grant, Miguel Indurain (five time winner of the Tour de France), Billy Graham, and Julian Bond. My favorite historical figures are W.E.B. DuBois and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?
Once you decide on what you would like to do, pursue it with great passion! This will tide you over during discouraging, difficult and tedious times. Find a hero or heroine to inspire you and follow their work/accomplishments. Don't shy away from math and computer programming! Watch the Discovery Channel for oceanographic specials -- they are great! Get some hands-on experience at sea, such as a short internship or "semester at sea," if at all possible. And if you really want to lead a fulfilling life as an oceanographer, you should definitely think about going to graduate school.
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?
Unfortunately, opportunities seem to be decreasing at the moment, particularly for oceanographers with Ph.D.s. The number of scientists has steadily increased over the last 10 years or so, with not as many of the older scientists retiring. Hopefully this will change in the near future, but it is hard to predict. In the general field of GIS though, there are great opportunities for students, and this technology is being increasingly applied to ocean research, management and policy.
What will you be doing 10 years from today?
I expect to be doing pretty much the same kind of work, although I don't expect to be going to sea anymore. My interests are moving more toward data processing and analysis, modeling and visualization, particularly with regard to the world wide web.
Salary:$80,000 - $100,000
Email:dawn@dusk.geo.orst.edu
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