I don’t even know where to begin except for the fact that this has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. It was definitely a leap of faith coming here to Alaska. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined, met so many amazing people, and made the best memories that I’ll cherish forever.
Molly M.
Semester by the Bay 2016
Molly M., then a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a member 2016 cohort, is the kind of student that always manages to stand out from the pack. Deeply involved and willing to go above and beyond, she took full advantage of her semester in Alaska. Alongside a challenging set of coursework, Molly participated in a biology internship with Eye of the Whale Research, a small, nonprofit, marine mammal research and education group, under the mentor-ship of Olga von Ziegesar. And that's not all! During her semester Molly also made time to volunteer with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and work tirelessly with other interns on the articulation of a 13 foot killer whale skeleton as part of 'Team Back Attack', the students assigned to construct the vertebrae of the whale.
Welcome Back!
Before heading back for her final year at UNCW, Molly will be spending the summer right here in Homer as a Student Conservation Association intern with the Alaska National Maritime Refuge's Island and Ocean Center. Molly reports being able to apply knowledge gained in her previous coursework and internship as part of SBB in her current internship! Her experiences during the Fall SBB semester have helped her feel confident enough in her knowledge to feel good about giving educational interpretive programs to the public about conservation and the wildlife Homer has to offer. Excited to share her passion and love for the beautiful, diverse wildlife in homer and her belief in the importance of protecting it, is sure to translate well to any program she leads!
SBB 2016 has opened up so many new doors and opportunities for me to pursue my future endeavors with marine biology. The connections I’ve started to make have been so beneficial for me and I can’t wait to see how my future plays out for me as a marine biologist.
What’s Next?
Though she plans to go on to graduate school at some point, Molly would like to take some time to work in the field for a while before she makes the final decisions on what she would like the focus of her thesis to be. Though we don't know where the next few years will take her, we know that Molly will be a success and a positive influence on the world around!