I earned my Oregon State University bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences online with an option in applied ecology, and I concurrently earned the GIS undergraduate certificate online.
Now I’m enrolled in Oregon State’s online master’s program in geography and geospatial science online. I plan on using these credentials to work in remote sensing and GIS while applying my ecology background.
I’m originally from Massachusetts, and now I’m living in France in the suburbs of Paris. I was drawn to environmental studies back in 2017 when I was still a stay-at-home mom to two very young boys. I had never earned a degree, as I was a professional hairstylist back in the United States in a prestigious salon in Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.
After eight years of being a stay-at-home mom, I started to feel the desire that there was still more waiting for me. I started taking MOOCs (massive open online courses), and the second one I took was Intro to Permaculture by Oregon State University’s very own Andrew Millison. I was introduced to ecosystem restoration, permaculture and sustainability through this — and more than that, I was introduced to Oregon State.
I also discovered an NGO, Ecosystem Restoration Communities, that was doing this kind of work around the world and inspired me. I was determined to work for them and soon became a volunteer. I started applying to OSU in order to get hired. I actually applied to OSU three times. I was in my early 30s at the time, and unfortunately my high school transcripts were average. But I was determined.
“I have been exposed to so many practical ways to help people and help restore our planet that are feasible, and that is so motivating.”
I took all the suggested basic prep courses, and I finally got accepted! After my first year at Oregon State, I had to take a hiatus to find my footing in a foreign country as a single mother. About a year later, I re-enrolled with OSU and was hired full time at the NGO, even though I was only partially finished with my studies.
And I am proud to say that I became an “A” student studying science and math. These are subjects I did very poorly in in high school.
Here’s a little bit more about me:
- I volunteered for the NGO for eight months while in school, and I was able to apply the knowledge I gained from my studies.
- I am now implementing GIS for Ecosystem Restoration Communities and a nonprofit that I co-founded, Generation Restoration, where we help refugees re-green their camps and settlements. My role is research and creating suitability maps.
- I have traveled to Egypt and Jordan for work on restoration projects — Egypt for re-greening the desert, and I had a meeting with a Jordanian princess about an ongoing re-greening initiative. I am currently working on GIS projects in Mexico and Uganda.
- I just came back from a three-week trip in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where I was working on a dryland water retention and restoration project.
What I liked about being a student in OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences is that it unlocked a passion and determination in me that I have never had before. I was constantly challenged every day with subjects that I used to fail, and now I am excelling as an older student. I have been exposed to so many practical ways to help people and help restore our planet that are feasible, and that is so motivating.
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I have also fallen in love with research and exploration, and I will carry this on in my future career in order to bridge the gap between science and the general population. OSU, especially the CEOAS, has challenged me to break through my comfort zone of learning and taught me to fight harder than I ever thought possible in order to finish this degree while going through the most tumultuous time of my life.
All the late hours of studying after work and taking care of my children was and continues to be challenging, but I have never had more resolve and never felt prouder to be a graduate and student of OSU.
I want to add that I would have never gotten through my studies without the incredible support by my advisor, Casey Menn. He has been with me every step of the way and has done everything in his power to help me succeed. I am so grateful for his support, and I hope OSU knows how dedicated he is to his students.
From degree programs to certificates to microcredentials, you have a wide variety of options — more than 100, actually — as you pursue your educational goals online with Oregon State University. Find the program that suits you best.
