Name:

Why did you choose SFS as a study abroad program?
I wanted to go somewhere exotic where I would otherwise not go on my own. I also wanted it to tie into my ecology education and definitely involve animal and plant research. I saw the SFS poster on the wall outside my advisor's office and he highly recommended the program when I asked him about it.

Reflecting back on your time in the program, what did you gain from your SFS experience?

On top of gaining a few extremely close friends (one of which turned into a roommate for three years and who I still see all the time) I gained valuable research experience that I utilized on a daily basis while doing my undergraduate thesis. The Kenya program really changed my life; I'll never look at ecology or wildlife the same again. I think about my time there at least once a week if not more often and I continually encourage interns from the New England Aquarium to go on one of the programs.

What is your most profound or lasting memory from your SFS program?

It's a tie:

Taking a walk alone through the base camp ranch and coming upon a herd of giraffes. I hid under a bush for an hour and watched them graze, with them the whole time keeping a watchful eye on me as well.

Or

Dragging my mattress outside on the last night of the program and sleeping under the stars. The sunset was like an explosion of color over the thatching of the hut roofs. Sleeping under the stars was a huge mind-set change for me since on the first night of the program every strange noise kept me from leaving the safety of my mosquito net, never mind my bed or my hut.

What advice would you give to a prospective SFS student?

Go have an adventure! And you'll learn invaluable knowledge without even realizing it!

What do you do for work?

I'm a Senior Aquarist at the New England Aquarium.

What does that actually entail on a daily basis?

I take care of a Changing Exhibit Gallery, currently exhibiting eight species of jellyfish, two species of reptiles, live plants and countless species of fish and invertebrates. Also, I am the primary caretaker of a permanent exhibit housing six species of shorebirds, including the threatened Piping Plover.

On an average day I feed hundreds of animals, clean dozens of exhibits and, from time to time, SCUBA dive in our 200,000 gallon reef tank or do some local collecting while diving in the outer Boston Harbor Islands.

Did your SFS experience contribute to where you ended up?

It contributes every day! This is true mainly in the appreciation I have of these creatures and how much each and every one of them is crucial to its native ecosystem.

What are the two most essential skills that got you to your position?

Good work ethic and a natural love of plants and animals.

What advice do you have for other SFS alumni looking to get into your field? What do you wish someone told you?

Volunteer or intern as much as you can (about 90% of our husbandry staff came from our volunteer or intern corps, including myself). And get as much real-life experience as you can (like SFS!). Besides myself I have worked with at least two other SFS alums here at NEAq, and I'm sure there are more that I haven't met. Studying in the field, especially abroad is one thing I look for on resumes. I've also hired two SFS alums as interns as well - a definite plus when I see it on a resume! :)