Becoming a Marine Biologist

photo by: Celeste Hebert

I recently read the book Becoming a Marine Biologist by Virginia Morell. It follows the career path of the famous Marine Biologist Dr. Robin Baird. I had already heard of the man from my previous research in the pacific ocean orca populations. He was one of the scientists who had worked with Dr. Michael Biggs - one of the most well known orca researcher of the century - he had created the first orca identification databases by discovering a way to identify orcas by photo ID. This is something I had always just taken for granted because it was already well established by the time I started my research. Dr. Baird had a big part in that research.

Now Dr. Baird has moved past orca research and is working a few different projects, including research of the 26 species of cetaceans in the Hawaiian waters. He is now the world's expert on whales and dolphins in the waters surrounding Hawai'i. This book is small but well written and a great resource for anyone wanting to enter the field of cetacean field research. It opens your eyes to the daily struggles, financial struggles and physical struggles that can arise in the career. It's not all fun and games - it's hard work.

I am still determined to follow my dream despite the many possible struggles. I also have some personal struggles I will have to overcome as well but if you don't have goals - you have no purpose. I've decided to take what I learnt and make myself a list of career goals to accomplish to give myself the best chance possible in the career. Some are small and some are bigger. Some may change as time goes on. The more schooling and experience I gain the more I will learn and possibly change my tone. But here goes:

•  Retake Pre-cal 40S 
•  Declare my Major in Biological Sciences (Ecology & Environmental Studies)
•  Get accepted into the Honours program
•  Learn to drive and get my license
•  Have no grade lower than a B
•  Get a job with animals (preferably in animal care, research and rehabilitation)
•  Get a professor to take me on as a student and become my advisor
•  Learn to drive a boat and get my license
•  Volunteer at the Assiniboia Park Zoo in their Research Center
•  Learn archery
•  Learn to shoot
•  Learn specific techniques to observation
•  Start working on different theories and research topics
•  Learn to fly (far fetched but whatever)
•  Get my Undergraduate degree
•  Get my Masters degree
•  Get my PHD
•  Learn to scuba dive
•  Take swimming lessons

The goals in bold are the ones I can work on NOW. So I am. I registered to take Pre-cal 40S through Government Manitoba website and started working on it. I never finished it in high school and therefore I cannot take 3 of my required classes this year. My goal is to try to finish it and ACE it by the end of November. So far I have finished 3/22 assignments and 0/2 exams. It's a start. 😀

I really REALLY need to learn to drive a car. The fear has always held me back - but I need to do it. I WILL do it. I must just find the time and courage. I will slowly work on all these goals and would love some feedback and encouragement. I'll keep you all posted with my progress! School starts in just 6 days! Here I go!

photo by: Celeste Hebert

Changing Careers - Finding My Journey Home

Quote by Barbara Sher

Ever since I was a young girl I was obsessed with animals. I loved books, movies and any photo I could find of animals - especially Orcas. Once I learnt to read that was my sole purpose in life - finding out as much as I could about anything that interested me. My Dad would get these animal leaflets in the mail, along with a binder to organize them in. They were divided into categories and I just LOVED pouring over them for hours and hours, finding out as much information on as many species as possible. We ended up with three binders. I became the animal expert in the family.

My passion was always cetaceans (Whales & Dolphins) and I would get SO excited with all the information I'd learn. I used to follow my Mom around the house telling her story after story. Every project in school involved orcas in some way. Everyone in my family believed I would someday be a Marine Biologist or Veterinarian. Alas, that is not what happened.

In grade 12 every student feels the pressure from their family, friends and teachers to choose a career path. I was torn. My dream had always been to be a research scientist studying animals but I also loved the aspect of teaching people everything I knew. I had volunteered in a veterinarian office for a bit in high school and was worried about my abilities to get through the tough schooling - I didn't think I was smart enough. I had a couple of school applications I was looking at: University of Vancouver (Marine biologist) or University of Winnipeg (School teacher). My serious boyfriend and I discussed my options. In the end we determined that having a long distance relationship was risky and that becoming a biologist would not be a very stable job to raise a family with. So I chose University of Winnipeg.

Starting University at 17 years old was not a smart choice for me. I had never lived on my own, I was a teenager that was raised in a home that had rules and expectations and now I was "free". School was not my priority - and teaching was not my passion. I only lasted two years before dropping out.

After finally getting married to the love of my life and being in the work field a couple years I was looking towards the next steps: establishing a career and starting a family. Being the researcher that I am I decided to enter the 2 year program at Red River College to get my diploma in Early Childhood Education. It was like a teacher but with children under five years old. I knew that the first few years of a child's life is the most important learning stages and I thought that I would change the lives of children and give them my love. I graduated with an A+ in every course and got my diploma with honours. I was hired after my first term practicum at Garderie Les P'tits Brisous. I loved it. I've now been there nearly 8 years, leaving only for my two maternity leaves.

Over the last couple of years I started to develop a lot of anxiety and stress with my job. I still loved being with the kids but having my own kids the same ages and in the same center was wearing me down. I had no more patience, I felt discouraged, exhausted and unfulfilled. I was good at my job but my passion disappeared. My husband was concerned about me - I wasn't the same girl he fell in love with. I used to be animated and happy and passionate. I just chalked it up to the fact that kids tire you out (true for the record...). My kids are now 4 & 5 and starting to be a lot more independent, my husband is often busy and it got me thinking. Who am I now? What makes me happy?

My eldest daughter (Savannah) loves to learn and absolutely loves animals - just like me. I love the questions she asks and I love researching the answers for her. It gets me so excited. I've always enjoyed school and have been toying with the idea of going back for over two years. I always said I regret not even trying for my dream job. But you know what? I wouldn't have all that I have now if my life would have taken another path. I may not have my husband and daughters, and I would never change that for anything. I know for a fact I would not have had the determination and maturity then that I have now to pursue this. So I took the plunge.

I applied to the University of Manitoba and I got accepted. I applied for student loans and got accepted. My husband is being supportive. I talked to my job and they are willing to work with me. I'm actually going to go for it. I feel like I have a purpose again, I'm refreshed and excited. I'm showering the kids at work with love again. My mind is being challenged and I'm loving it. The stress and depression has lifted and I'm looking forward to starting my new journey. It's not going to be easy - at ALL but I am determined. I will only be attending school two days a week this year to start because I have a family to provide for but I don't care because I'm doing it!

Starting a new career at 30 years old is no easy feat. In the end we will always regret the things we did NOT do, and not the things we did do.

If I can just TRY, that's all that matters to me. It might take me ten years but at this point I am just feeling overjoyed to be given the chance to challenge my brain again and learn new things - things I am passionate about. My first step is getting an Undergraduate degree in Biological Studies in the Ecology and Environment area. It's a 4 year program (full time). Also, getting a job in animal care and (hopefully) research, education and rehabilitation would be ideal. In the meantime I am going to use my current diploma to continue to make a difference in the lives of young children and allow God to use my talents wherever I am needed.

I decided to start this blog to share my journey, whether it succeeds or not and to encourage other people to follow their dreams. I am very blessed to have family and friends in my life that support me and my dreams. Thank you.