Job summary and/or description of your work/research:
My job has a public facing side and a “behind the scenes” side. I lead outdoor programs with youth such as Maritime on the Move in the Santa Barbara Harbor and Carpinteria State Beach, a guided outdoor maritime focused tour; museum tours; and Science Nights at local elementary schools where I bring a lesson and a corresponding craft. I also get to assist on programs like Girls in Ocean Science and Marine Science, a 2-hour floating lab. My “behind the scenes” job is in archives and curatorial work. I am just starting to learn about keeping track of all of our artifacts in the museum and at our collections facility.
What do you enjoy most about your work/research:
I love how creative I can be at work, both logically and artistically. Every day at work is a little different. My job is very rewarding because I get to share experiences that can be very impactful. For example, some students/youth I work with had never seen a whale before, or had no idea that most of our oxygen comes from phytoplankton in the ocean.
Additionally, I get to work on the beach or on a boat and I always love an excuse to go to sea.
Inspiration:
I am inspired by historical female figures. I think it is fascinating to learn about pioneers in ocean science, naturalists, activists, and anyone with some connection to the ocean. So many of us feel a deep connection to the coast and it is really special to share it with others.