Some people have known exactly what they wanted to do ever since they were a little kid. Some people can’t imagine doing anything other than what they are doing right now.
I am not one of those people.
Hi, my name is Kristen. I am a Master of Professional Science student at RSMAS, and I am an indecisive person.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in science. However, within that broad spectrum, I’ve wanted to do pretty much everything at some point.
I always loved nature. Growing up, I was constantly climbing trees in my backyard. Captain Planet was my favorite TV show, and my favorite time of the year was the week I went to the beach. I liked playing with bugs, and every so often my friends and I would go to parks to pick up trash for fun.
It was from all these interests that I determined my ideal profession was to be an environmentalist- botanist-entomologist-marine biologist-policy maker. By the time I applied for graduate school, I had at least narrowed it down to just marine biology.
Last month, I had to sit down with my academic advisor to discuss my internship project. I was asked a question that has plagued me for many years: where do I want to go from here?
I choked up. I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do, let alone the field I wanted to work in, so I said the first thing that came to my mind. Uh, mangroves?
Dr. Evan D’Alessandro and I slowly work our way through the entangled branches during my first trek through the mangrove forests in Broad Key.
Somehow, in my moment of absolute uncertainty I managed to figure out exactly how to combine all my scientific and job related interests into one specific field.
It was perfect.
My main professional goal was to find a job where I would be in high demand and have the opportunity to travel. Mangroves are found all over the tropics, so mangrove researchers can work around the world. Also, very few people in the United States are involved in mangrove research. When I went to talk to my would-be research mentor to express my interest in studying mangroves, I was welcomed into the project like a baby gazelle that walked into a lion’s den.
From a research perspective, I always imagined myself working out in the woods conducting research. But I also wanted to do marine research, which is why I applied to RSMAS. Fortunately for me, mangrove trees evolved to live near the ocean. Now I can snorkel and climb trees out in the field to collect data.
I am not writing this to tell you how great mangrove research is. Mangrove research is definitely not for everyone. Instead, my message is three-fold. First, I want to let you know it is okay to be an indecisive person. Second, as impossible as it may seem, there is a way to combine all of your seemingly diverse interests in your professional career. And finally, don’t lose hope if you think there isn’t a field of research perfect for you. It’s out there waiting for you somewhere, so go discover it!
This blog post is part of a series of stories written by RSMAS graduate students enrolled in the Spring 2012 Scientific Communications (RSM 545) course.
Kristen Mastropole
Master of Professional Science: Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management
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