When I returned to college at age 27, I had already earned a degree in English, but had an interest in marine conservation, and a lingering fear that I wouldn’t belong in the world of science. I enrolled in biology, chemistry, and environmental data analysis courses while juggling a long commute and financial responsibilities. Despite my determination, I faced steep learning curves, especially in technical fields like R programming and Calculus.

I struggled through math-heavy coursework and eventually made the difficult decision to shift from a Marine Science major to Environmental Science. It was painful to let go of a dream I had worked so hard for. I felt like I had failed. But during my NOAA IN FISH internship at NOAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., something shifted.

There, I joined a cohort of students from across the country. I was able to explore international fisheries policy and vulnerable marine ecosystems. We were all coming from different disciplines, and because of this, I realized how my interdisciplinary background wasn’t a weakness. It was a strength.

At NOAA, I studied how bottom trawling affects deep-sea habitats and how international agreements attempt to regulate destructive fishing practices. I was able to digest dense policy texts and communicate their meaning clearly to my peers. My writing skills helped me frame complex ecological systems in accessible terms. My previous research experience, especially my work with sentiment analysis and media studies, gave me a unique lens to consider stakeholder framing and communication gaps in policy implementation.

Artifacts such as the IN FISH Bio, IN FISH Final Reflection, and IN FISH Final Presentation illustrate my growth from uncertainty to confidence in applying my interdisciplinary skills to real-world environmental challenges. The SACNAS Statement of Purpose reinforces this, as it shows how I reframed my “nontraditional” path as an asset.

In conversations with my peers, I found myself helping others understand the systems-level connections between law, ecology, and economics. That was the moment I stopped seeing my academic path as “behind.” I realized that I had spent years building a toolkit that allowed me to see the bigger picture.

This insight transformed the year after the NOAA internship when I attended the Hope Summit in Charleston, SC. The event is a gathering focused on collaborative climate solutions that brings together policymakers, scientists, artists, educators, and community advocates.

I listened to leaders who had built careers at the intersection of disciplines and who spoke openly about the values of unconventional paths in shaping innovative solutions. It was a powerful reminder that bridging worlds can be just as impactful as expertise in a single field.

This insight transformed how I see myself as a scholar, a communicator, and a future leader. I no longer feel ashamed of the pivots I have made, but instead feel empowered by them. I have learned to value adaptability, perseverance, and interdisciplinary thinking. I have also developed greater empathy for others who feel like outsiders in STEM. Representation is not just about identity; it is about showing that there is more than one way to belong.

In the future, I hope to work in environmental policy and communication, bringing my lived experience into spaces that often overlook nontraditional voices. I want to advocate for structures that support diverse learners, challenge gatekeeping in science, and build bridges between disciplines. The more I have leaned into my story, the more I have realized that my difference is not a flaw, but it is a perspective the field greatly needs.

Artifacts: 

• SACNAS Statement of Purpose

• NOAA IN FISH Final Reflection

• IN FISH Bio

• IN FISH Final Presentation