{"id":2698,"date":"2024-12-18T10:16:58","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T18:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2698"},"modified":"2024-12-18T10:16:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T18:16:58","slug":"melissa-croteau-environmental-sciences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/melissa-croteau-environmental-sciences\/","title":{"rendered":"Once an ‘average’ student, alum in France is pursuing her third Oregon State credential online"},"content":{"rendered":"

I earned my Oregon State University bachelor\u2019s degree in environmental sciences online<\/a> with an option in applied ecology, and I concurrently earned the GIS undergraduate certificate online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now I’m enrolled in Oregon State’s online master’s program in geography and geospatial science online<\/a>. I plan on using these credentials to work in remote sensing and GIS while applying my ecology background.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> by Oregon State University\u2019s very own Andrew Millison. I was introduced to ecosystem restoration, permaculture and sustainability through this \u2014 and more than that, I was introduced to Oregon State.<\/p>\n

I also discovered an NGO, Ecosystem Restoration Communities<\/a>, 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.\u00a0I 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.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>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.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a little bit more about me:<\/p>\n