Growing up, I was lucky enough to hike all over the country with family and friends, and to absorb their enthusiasm for the outdoors. I carried this love of nature with me to Harvard University, where I studied English and integrative biology and organized hiking trips for the college community as a leader in the Outing Club. I found so much joy in learning about the environment, whether identifying plants in the Harvard Forest or wading into the Charles River to examine the fishes that lurk beneath the surface. I also cherished the thought-provoking discussions and writing assignments in my English courses. I struggled, however, to imagine a career that would perfectly combine my interests in science and the humanities.

On November 29, 2021, a brief encounter with a science journalist set me on a new career path.

My conservation biology professor had invited Rick Weiss, a sci-tech reporter, to speak with our class alongside other professionals in conservation. Everything clicked when Weiss shared an inspiring message about the need for scientific storytelling that is accurate, accessible, and engaging. I realized that I could combine my writing and editorial abilities with my knowledge of the natural world to help tackle today’s greatest environmental issues. In that moment, I decided to pursue roles in science communication.

The following spring, I participated in the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation’s Young Voices of Science program, which equipped me with effective methods for sharing technical scientific information with diverse audiences. That summer, I worked as a forest communications intern at the World Wildlife Fund and collaborated with teams across the organization on a variety of projects. I was thrilled to write web stories that showcased WWF’s efforts to protect forests and endangered species in the Amazon and the Congo Basin. Most importantly, I discovered how amazing it felt to join a community whose passion for protecting the environment matches my own. I’ve found the same sense of fulfillment in subsequent positions at the Smart Surfaces Coalition, the National Park Service, and Dumbarton Oaks.