On April 23, SCCF Marine Lab Research Associate Amy Oxton joined a panel hosted by the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Chapter of the Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) to discuss careers in marine and environmental sciences.

“I am thankful to SWMS for offering me a platform to share the professional journey that brought me to the SCCF Marine Laboratory,” said Oxton. “I believe it’s important for college students to understand the path to their dream job isn’t always linear.” 

SWMS Co-Presidents Jolie Alberty and Olivia Boucher moderated a five-person panel that included:

• Elizabeth Sweigert, South District Director at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Michele Arquette-Palermo, Chief Programs Officer at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Molly Nation, Associate Professor of Environmental Education at Florida Gulf Coast University
• Nerea Ubierna, Research Coordinator at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Amy Oxton, Research Associate SCCF Marine Laboratory

The panel, open to all FGCU students, included guided discussions and a Q&A.  The panelists discussed their professional journeys, useful qualifications, hardships, and ended the evening with career advice.

SWMS Co-President Jolie Alberty was grateful that panelists shared so openly with the students.

“As a woman in the marine science field, I am struggling with the thought of life after graduation and feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the future. Hearing these women speak about their personal battles and how they came out on the other side, proud of their careers and of themselves, was incredible,” she said. “These ladies had amazing advice for our students at FGCU, and their words really resonated with me and the other executive members of SWMS.”

Learn more about the Society for Women in Marine Science >>>