In 2020, I began my California Sea Grant Extension Fellowship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. I was brought on to help the California Regional Coordinator implement marine debris projects and strategies in California. Over the course of my fellowship, I had the opportunity to lead a statewide marine debris action plan, support strategic internal efforts, and partake in countless professional development opportunities. This experience has improved my confidence as a young professional, guided my career path, and has certainly prepared me for my next chapter and future career.

About three weeks ago, I started my new position as the new Sea Grant Knauss Fellow working in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program (NOAA MDP). The Knauss fellowship provides a unique, educational, and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

Last month I began my two-month internship, funded by the National Science Foundation, with the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) Communications Team in Silver Spring, Maryland.