About Me
I'm a junior at the University of Florida studying wildlife ecology and conservation with a minor in environmental science. I'm also a proud member of the International Scholars Program, as well as UF's chapter of The Wildlife Society and People for Animal Wellness (PAW). Through these organizations, I volunteer with several local conservancies and non-profits focused on animal care and research. Additionally, I hold a position at UF's Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, where I assist a PhD Candidate with her research on the biological effects of red tide on pinfish. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends and family.
Mission
I'm most fulfilled when I'm traveling and connecting with both nature and people. I hope to travel much more in the future to experience various cultures, study different ecosystems, and observe different wildlife species in their native ranges.
Career
I've chosen to pursue a career in conservation research, and I'm especially interested in studies on wildlife behaviors. I plan to complete seasonal field technician jobs after graduation before eventually attending grad school. These seasonal positions will help me attain a variety of skills and field techniques that will make me a valuable asset to research teams in the future. I will also use these opportunities to explore my various interests within the field of ecology to narrow down my career goals moving forward.
SMART GOALS
The following are skills I hope to develop during my study abroad program in Sorrento, Italy.
INITIATIVE
ADAPTABILITY
NETWORKING
One of my main goals is to develop an improved sense of initiative in the workplace. I hope that by working with the team at the marine protected area I will become adept at working ahead on tasks independently before being asked to do so by employers. This skill can be attained and exhibited by helping with several projects without being explicitly directed to. Examples of this include helping write sections of a research paper and engaging with visitors when I'm not working the infopoint desk.
I aim to learn how to effectively adapt to unforeseen circumstances and easily problem-solve when the situation calls for it. This is important for any career, but especially for people who mainly work outside in an uncontrollable and unpredictable environment. I plan to show my development of this skill by providing practical solutions for the majority of the issues I may encounter.
Since the ecology field is relatively small, being able to network with professionals can make a very large impact on what positions I'm able to obtain an offer for. Networking has seemed intimidating to me in the past, so I'm excited to challenge myself to develop this useful skill. I will show my success in this matter by obtaining at least 3 new contacts in the field who I can ask questions and seek advice from.