 What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am a regional extension agent in natural resources for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. I serve on the faculty of Auburn University but I work out of Baldwin County on the coast. I lead educational programs and projects for adults and youth. I train and coordinate over 100 volunteers called Master Environmental Educators who go into the schools to give presentations on forestry, wildlife and local environmental issues. I coordinate programs on topics like invasive exotic plants and prescribed burning for landowners, coastal landscaping seminars for nurseries and homeowners, teacher environmental workshops, training for 4-H camp staff, manatee dive trips, kayak trips, river cleanups, beach cleanups and underwater cleanups.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
I wanted to work in education, but not in a formal classroom setting. I wanted to work with the coastal environment. I grew up on the Gulf coast and I wanted to help other residents, particularly the many new residents moving here from other parts of the country, to appreciate it and protect it.
What do like most about your career?
I enjoy having the opportunity to develop programs and projects to meet the needs of the community. I like writing grants to fund the projects and working collaboratively with other agencies to make big projects a reality. I like doing something different every day, and splitting my time between the office and the field. My husband, Larry, is a forestry consultant, so we get to lead workshops and field days together. I have the privilege of serving on the boards of directors of several professional associations. This allows me to support environmental education and marine education at the national level.
What do you like least about your career?
This is definitely not a nine-to-five job. I work a lot of nights and weekends because that is when the audiences are available. There are many 60-hour weeks. It is difficult to prioritize programs for each year because the need for environmental education is so great. I said that I was only going to do 50 programs/projects a year but I've done about 65 each year.
What do you do to relax?
We live on five acres that we call The Last Best Place, where I enjoy gardening. We also have a home at the beach called The Last Resort. We participate in work mission trips in Mexico and Guatemala, where we build schools, health clinics and drinking water systems. I am trying to ride my bicycle across as many states as possible. I am also trying to kayak every creek, river, bay and bayou in coastal Alabama. I enjoy travel, photography, theater, bike riding, kayaking, scuba diving, steamed shrimp, fresh raspberries and any kind of dark chocolate.
Who are your heroes/heroines?
I get my determination and inspiration from Edward Abbey, Bev Dolittle, Jacques Cousteau, Sylvia Earle, Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Richard Wilke and my parents, Frank and Frankie, who are outstanding educators.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?
Get lots of field experience (on weekends, in the summer, as a volunteer if necessary) to make sure this is what you enjoy and to develop your skills. Get experience in public speaking, writing, computers, graphics, photography, lab work, scuba or skin diving, and the identification of coastal creatures and native plants. Join professional associations and attend their conferences to meet others in this field. And most importantly, live your dreams!
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?
The number of extension agents and extension specialists in the country is steady. There are far more females throughout extension than there were when I began in 1988. The scope of extension has expanded, so we now have marine extension agents and agents who specialize in wildlife, forestry, fisheries, energy or water quality.
What will you be doing 10 years from today?
I hope to be working as an extension agent or specialist in a place where the billboards don't block the sunset. I have written a couple of books and would like to write more.
Salary: $40,000 - $60,000
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