At first, the concept of acquiring a science degree from a liberal arts college seemed strange. It made much more sense to attend a STEM-oriented school, perhaps even one situated on the coast like Texas A&M Corpus Christi. After graduating from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Marine Biology, I can confidently say that I made the best decision possible for a future in the modern world of science.
One of the core tenets of Rollins’ education is a focus on holistic learning. Students are both required and encouraged to take classes outside of their planned major. As a Marine Biology student, I took classes in Art History, Classical Studies, Psychology, and even Cinema Studies. This form of education served to provide students like me with the tools to thrive in the real world, where problems and opportunities are rarely one-dimensional. Even within the Marine Biology degree path, I took courses that introduced concepts from all aspects of marine science, from physical to chemical to biological. The liberal arts experience helped teach me that the cutting edge of science, and in fact most concepts, occurs at the intersection between disciplines. Thus, a well-rounded education is
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Thus, this program will prepare me to make a visible, positive impact on the world. I have had some exposure to GIS and remote sensing within my professional career, and I am eager to learn more about it and find practical uses for it within the field of conservation. I have also found interest in the related field of biostatistics, using models and statistical analyses of population studies to inform decisions related to conservation. I believe the Marine Conservation track is a perfect way to explore these passions