Why did you choose Stockton?

Stockton has a great Marine Science undergraduate program, and it is close to home. The program offers a lot of opportunities outside of and inside the classroom for a lot of students to learn about what's going on in the field, how to advance your career within it, and how to get jobs outside of college. 

How did you choose your major?

Marine Science was always one of my favorite subjects, but I also enjoyed working hands-on and with technology. The concentration in Oceanography is the perfect balance of the two. 

What other opportunities have you had at Stockton?

I currently have an internship with Stockton’s Marine Science Field Station with funding from the Stacy Moore Hagan Endowment. Working with the Marine Field Station, I have been exposed to what goes on beyond the classroom. This hands-on experience has exposed me to hydrography, oyster conservation, different types of marine technologies, marine tech deployments and retrievals, operation of small vessels and advice from graduate students. 

What clubs and activities are you involved with at Stockton? 

I am involved with the Fishing Club and the Marine Technology Society. Multiple professors came up to me and said I would be a great candidate to join the Marine Technology Society because of my interest in different technologies. Professors, including Dr. Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert – who works a lot with marine technology – lead discussions and encourage students who are interested in gaining that expertise to join. 

What are your career goals? 

I plan to work in hydrography, specifically with sonar, after graduating. At first, I knew I wanted to do something with marine science, but I didn't know exactly what. I was initially a Marine Biology major, but once I started taking Oceanography classes – because it's a requirement – it exposed me to this whole different side of marine science that I didn't know was really there. 
Hydrography involves working with sonar on boats to map different parts of the ocean. Typically, you can work on the coast, or you can work miles offshore. So, coastal managers locate where pipes are, and they check different equipment within the water. If you're going offshore, you're looking at the ocean floor and the bathymetry data to see if it's a good habitat for fish. They do a lot of rehabilitation programs that way, and that's what really got my interest.

What advice do you have for students thinking about attending Stockton? 

My advice for students thinking about Stockton is that Stockton offers connections for hands-on experience with many majors and that we have a strong support system to get you connected if you want to be.