Environmental Capstone 

Professional Statement:

            My professional goal is to bridge the gap between people and the environment, created by barriers in accessibility and education. I aspire to become an environmental photojournalist and researcher. By using photography, research, and storytelling, I can convey issues within the environment stemming from anthropogenic influence and supremacy fueled injustice. The prevailing mentality in our country is “if it’s not in my backyard, it’s not my problem.” about many environmental issues. Images of polar bears on melting ice caps can make someone sympathetic to the Arctic, but not always empathetic. By using my photography, I want to show environmental issues in people’s “backyards”, showing communities the destruction that affects them personally. This will invoke empathy, and hopefully change. My strategy for creating that drive for change stems from identifying personal connections between people and their environment, as well as locating leverage points to convince people to help. 

            At the College of Charleston, I double majored in Marine Biology & Environmental Sustainable Studies with a minor in studio art (photography). I knew an academic background in marine biology would provide me the experience and knowledge to work with oceanic and freshwater environments. In choosing the Environmental Sustainable Studies, I knew this could be applied to marine work, and opened the door for me to pursue terrestrial environmental conservation. I have had the opportunity to contribute to projects, conduct research, employment, and volunteer work in marine environments. One example is my harbor porpoise research in Alaska that involved community science and conservation implications for this elusive species. I have also researched community science and anthropogenic influence in the freshwater systems of South Carolina through my freshwater sponge research. After I graduate this Spring 2024, I hope to find a job at a National Park working as a wildlife biologist gaining terrestrial field experience, communicating science with the public, and strengthening my photography, communication, and research skills. 

            Climate change and human influence have caused detrimental effects to our world during and before my lifetime. I know that in the duration of my life, and years after, our population will not be able to withstand the destruction we have caused. The way our world is right now is as if we are all very deep inside a dark cave. The cave opening represents a world with balanced ecosystems, communities blended of all peoples, conservation policy, and sustainable resource harvest. There is a sparkle of light showing us how to get to the opening, but there are many obstacles between us and the light. As we move forward, there are going to be setbacks, but there is still hope, and that opening is still in sight. I have the passion, dedication, and hope to dedicate my life to reaching that light.