When did you first become interested in science?

 

For as long as I can remember I have loved animals, but when I was nine years old and in year 4 at school, a man came to talk to our class about the environment. He had been down to Antarctica several times and participated in research down there. I remember two things vividly from that talk; firstly that there were jobs working with animals and plants (my 9 year old self was hooked!), and secondly that our world was in trouble and we needed scientists to help save it.

 

What path did you take to your career?

 

My path was a relatively slow one. During high school I picked all the right science subjects to avoid bridging courses, but at university I decided that a Dual Degree (BSc/BA) suited me best, because during my school years I developed a love of languages and wanted to continue studying German. The first two years of university were difficult for me, because I could not sit still when there was a whole world out there to be explored! I struggled through my fourth semester before finally deciding to take time off. At that time I didn't know if science or even university was for me, but since I still loved the environment, I got a job doing conservation work with Greencorps while saving up to go overseas. After my second year away from uni (of which I spent time backpacking through Canada and Europe), I finally felt ready to come home and finish my degrees. The job market was terrible when I graduated, so I signed up for honours in Marine Science despite my training being in Ecology and Botany. I absolutely loved my honours year and had an amazing lab and amazing colleagues. I did learn however, that the academic path was not for me so I worked towards getting into the environment industry. After a year in a Brisbane based role I'm now in a field-based role where I live away from home when I'm rostered to work.

 

What is an average day like in your job?

 

The scope of my role changes all the time, but it can be anything from doing ecological surveys on a site, plant counts, reporting or providing advice on where to place new infrastructure. In my organisation there is also a lot of flexibility to complete role-specific training, volunteering and networking. Being site and sometimes remotely based means that often you can manage your own days as required, which for me has really helped to identify strengths and weaknesses in my working style.

 

What is the best thing that has happened in your job?

 

The best things are the networking opportunities and training that my company has provided. Soon I will be participating in helping to set up a series of environmental monitoring programs for local endangered wildlife in a relatively remote area of Queensland with some work colleagues. This is somewhere I'll probably never get to go again and because there's only a handful of people going I'll be able to have a direct positive impact on the environment and make a difference.

 

What advice would you give to a young aspiring scientist?

 

Learn patience and foster your passions. Expect to spend time shadowing, being poor, studying for years and not starting out in your dream job, but expect to see amazing things and to make a difference when you finally get there. Don't ignore other parts of your life like hobbies, talents, volunteering and relationships with others. Often it's not your qualifications that will get you that job, it's your personality and how well-rounded a person you are.