North Carolina Coastal Federation
I’d always had a love for the ocean and an interest in science, but it was the mystery and beauty that lay beneath the water in tide pools we visited on a family trip that captured my imagination. When I found out you could make a career out of studying the ocean I was hooked.
Education
- B.S., Marine and Freshwater Biology, University of New Hampshire
- M.S., Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Salary
$40,000 - $60,000
Contact
What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am the coastal scientist and regional manager for the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Manteo office. We are a grassroots non-profit organization that protects and restores the coast of North Carolina through environmental education, advocacy, protection and restoration efforts. I focus my efforts on the northern coastal region, which includes Pamlico Sound and the surrounding areas. From our office, I lead a team of three to achieve the organization’s goals. The majority of my time is spent planning, designing, coordinating and implementing habitat restoration projects along the northern coast of N.C. This includes everything from building new oyster reefs to planting salt marshes, and installing stormwater best management practices to coordinating landscape scale hydrologic restoration efforts. I serve as a project manager for these projects and may design, implement and monitor the restoration practice or simply coordinate others with expertise in the restoration practice; it depends on the size and scope of the work to be accomplished. I also assist in writing state, federal and private grants to fund this work and administer them.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
On a family trip to the California coast, we visited tide pools near Palo Alto. I’d always had a love for the ocean and an interest in science, but it was the mystery and beauty that lay beneath the water in those tide pools that captured my imagination. When I found out you could make a career out of studying the ocean I was hooked. From there, it was a series of small steps and decisions that ultimately led me to where I am today.
What do like most about your career?
I love the diversity of the work. No two days are the same—I’m always doing something different. I also love the satisfaction I get from completing a project, from seeing an eroding marsh bounce back from efforts that I helped to coordinate; the habitat, water quality and aesthetic benefits that I see in the project are all very rewarding.
What do you like least about your career?
The diversity of work. It’s the flip side of what I love most about my career. While I love having a variety of projects to work on and different tasks to do (keeps me from getting bored), I do wish that I had more time to focus on certain aspects or specific projects.
What do you do to relax?
I am a daily Ashtanga yoga practitioner, which helps me to relax and find clarity. I also enjoy spending time with my family hiking, sailing, going to the beach or having family dance parties in the living room.
Who are your heroes/heroines?
I have been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people who have helped to shape my ideas of what a hero is. In general they demonstrate the following characteristics: they are people who are true to themselves, follow their dreams and inspire others by their actions.
What advice would you give a student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?
Take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Life is a series of unplanned events and you never can chart exactly where it will take you (and if you could it would take the excitement out of it). It’s good to try many different things to find out exactly what your niche is and what you enjoy doing. And as long as you are following your heart and doing what makes you happy, you’ve chosen correctly.
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?
There is always more work to be done than can be done. If careers were based solely on the need there would be a growing trend of jobs available in the non-profit world. However, jobs are based on not just need, but also on funding availability. I’m hopeful that as society begins to understand and recognize the connection between the natural world and the myriad benefits that they receive from it, more and more interest in the field of conservation and restoration will arise and job opportunities will follow.
What will you be doing 10 years from today?
Continuing to follow my dreams.
