Marlene went to Shorewood High School. She studied Biological Oceanography at the University of Washington. When she was applying the program was very clear that the program was about Oceanography and NOT Marine Biology as they wanted students to understand it was not only about sea creatures. However in September 2018 they now offer a Marine Biology major at UW!
She really enjoyed her program and was able to take advantage of several internship positions while at UW. One of her internships was with the National Marine Fisheries Service (link), which is a government organization that is part conservation of fisheries, and the sustainability and ecosystem management of the fishing environments. One aspect of her degree course she really liked was having the opportunity to design experiments, and then to go out on a research vessel to collect the data for the research.
A particular challenge in college was with her participation in the marching band - she had to learn how to balance the demands of classes with the time commitment to band.
After finishing her BS, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do so she took 5 years off before deciding to study for her Masters degree in Fisheries Biology at Humboldt State University. While she was on her masters course she was able to do research on something she was very interested in. http://www2.humboldt.edu/fisheries/
When she first started in her career she spent most of her time in the field, which is the best way to apply your academic learning and to see nature in action. With her work she has been in semi-submersibles to see and do research on environments underwater, learn to dive so she can check out the health of shellfish farms underwater, seaplanes to get to remote locations. She's worked on projects that studied the environments and the effect of dams on fish populations. They sometimes used a technique called 'electroshock', this meant they secured a section of water and then ran a mild current into the water. This current was enough to stun the fish so they would be still. This allowed the marine biologists to then count the different species of fish. Marlene has also been an expert witness in legal cases where they need to hear from someone who is very knowledgeable to interpret data or do research to answer difficult questions.
Advice 1: Always willing to learn and participate. Take advantage of doing all the tasks you can whether they are big or small - experience matters.
While she was completing her masters degree she had to write essays and research reports. Employers are always looking for people that are good at writing, and having her master's degree is a good demonstration of being able to write. Marlene also says that it is important to always think about how you can improve how to communicate information - you can always learn how to say something more concisely, or in a better way to a less experienced audience.
Advice 2: Write and challenge yourself to get better.
To have a good career in marine biology (and all other careers!) requires having a good network of people to help you in different ways. Some good ways to find people to help you are through joining organizations (list below). It is also very useful to find a mentor or someone you can go to for advice or with questions. Marlene has learned that it's important to talk positively about yourself - if you have confidence in what you can do and share your experiences it makes a good impression on others. Another piece of advice to grow your career is to go to talks on the topics that interest you or listen to podcasts - there's lots to learn and lots of way to access information - enjoy doing this!
Marlene talked about a couple of projects she's worked on that interested her. One was related to Geoducks, the Washington State Shellfish! (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/geoduck/) They are large burrowing shellfish and can weigh over 2lbs and live to more than 100 years old! She was working on a project with shellfish farmers. Marlene high recommends talking with the farmers, and people who are working on the farms (or in the environments) every day as there is so much to learn from people who are there hands-on every day.
Another project Marlene mentioned was being involved in the creation of a waterfront park. Her worked was involved in overseeing the approval of the permit for the park. She found this project interesting as it needed to consider the whole park system - considering the goals of making the park interesting and accessible for the public but also insuring the marine environment could thrive too.
There are many interesting projects described on the Confluence Environmental Company website: https://www.confenv.com/category/projects/
A particular challenge in college was with her participation in the marching band - she had to learn how to balance the demands of classes with the time commitment to band.
After finishing her BS, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do so she took 5 years off before deciding to study for her Masters degree in Fisheries Biology at Humboldt State University. While she was on her masters course she was able to do research on something she was very interested in. http://www2.humboldt.edu/fisheries/
When she first started in her career she spent most of her time in the field, which is the best way to apply your academic learning and to see nature in action. With her work she has been in semi-submersibles to see and do research on environments underwater, learn to dive so she can check out the health of shellfish farms underwater, seaplanes to get to remote locations. She's worked on projects that studied the environments and the effect of dams on fish populations. They sometimes used a technique called 'electroshock', this meant they secured a section of water and then ran a mild current into the water. This current was enough to stun the fish so they would be still. This allowed the marine biologists to then count the different species of fish. Marlene has also been an expert witness in legal cases where they need to hear from someone who is very knowledgeable to interpret data or do research to answer difficult questions.
Advice 1: Always willing to learn and participate. Take advantage of doing all the tasks you can whether they are big or small - experience matters.
While she was completing her masters degree she had to write essays and research reports. Employers are always looking for people that are good at writing, and having her master's degree is a good demonstration of being able to write. Marlene also says that it is important to always think about how you can improve how to communicate information - you can always learn how to say something more concisely, or in a better way to a less experienced audience.
Advice 2: Write and challenge yourself to get better.
To have a good career in marine biology (and all other careers!) requires having a good network of people to help you in different ways. Some good ways to find people to help you are through joining organizations (list below). It is also very useful to find a mentor or someone you can go to for advice or with questions. Marlene has learned that it's important to talk positively about yourself - if you have confidence in what you can do and share your experiences it makes a good impression on others. Another piece of advice to grow your career is to go to talks on the topics that interest you or listen to podcasts - there's lots to learn and lots of way to access information - enjoy doing this!
- Nature Conservancy Seattle: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/washington/
- Women in Environment : https://www.womeninenvironment.org/
- Advice for career women podcast: https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/battle-tactics?page=1
Marlene talked about a couple of projects she's worked on that interested her. One was related to Geoducks, the Washington State Shellfish! (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/geoduck/) They are large burrowing shellfish and can weigh over 2lbs and live to more than 100 years old! She was working on a project with shellfish farmers. Marlene high recommends talking with the farmers, and people who are working on the farms (or in the environments) every day as there is so much to learn from people who are there hands-on every day.
Another project Marlene mentioned was being involved in the creation of a waterfront park. Her worked was involved in overseeing the approval of the permit for the park. She found this project interesting as it needed to consider the whole park system - considering the goals of making the park interesting and accessible for the public but also insuring the marine environment could thrive too.
There are many interesting projects described on the Confluence Environmental Company website: https://www.confenv.com/category/projects/
Which is more important: grades or internships?
Marlene she wasn't into the hard-core sciences as she didn't want to be a doctor or engineer. However she believes it is about moderation, and it's important to find a good balance between academic studies and also an opportunity to participate and be exposed to things you are interested in.
Where are the best programs for marine biology or similar in the state?
- UW: https://marinebiology.uw.edu/ - NEW Marine biology major, just started in Sept 2018
- UW: https://www.ocean.washington.edu/ - BS that Marlene completed
- Seattle Pacific University: http://spu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-sciences/biology/undergraduate-programs/biology-majors - Not directly marine biology but several related degrees
- http://spu.edu/depts/biology/blakely/students/SummerCourses2019.html - special summer programs in marine biology
- Western Washington: https://www.wwu.edu/majors/biology%E2%80%94marine-emphasis-bs
- Evergreen: https://www.evergreen.edu/studies/marine-science
- Get involved and get your hands dirty!
- Go look at tide pools.
- Go on environmental camps.
- See what gets you excited.
- Salish Sea Expeditions: https://www.salish.org/ (Lots of great opportunities to get involved, and participate).