Honestly, I believe that I didn't choose this field, it chose me. Growing up, I don't remember ever thinking I'd become a marine biologist. In fact, I thought I would become a teacher or historian. When the economy crashed while I was deciding on college majors, I reconsidered the idea of a history major and began thinking of my other interests. This is when I realized that marine biology was always a part of me. As a child, my family always took a yearly vacation to the "shore", as we called it, where my brother I and embraced the ocean wholeheartedly. We especially loved "The Point" which was a unique beach that had many tide pools to explore at low tide. My parents would basically have to drag us in to eat and sleep. Outside of trips to the beach, we also loved finding aquariums and zoos around the country. One of my favorite cassette tapes to fall asleep to was called "I'd Like to be a Marine Biologist". Baby Beluga was a favorite book and song, and I adopted a manatee in 6th grade. I always loved nature, animals, and the random at-home science experiments my mom came up with. I excelled at biology in high school and I loved participating in Science Honor Society. So, I decided to major in biology at a school on the coast and ended up getting minors in both Marine Science and Environmental Science (Fun Fact: I kept my love of history going by also minoring in Classical Studies). Junior year in college is when my career really began and my passion flourished. I studied abroad in Turks and Caicos with the School for Field Studies where my life changed entirely. There, I was fully immersed in classes, field research, and presentations in many aspects of marine biology. I learned how much fun the field can be, how hard it can be, and how rewarding and important this work is. I began to understand what it was to be a marine biologist. I WAS HOOKED! When I returned my senior year, I spent the year researching with my advisor and interned in an aquarium. There was no looking back. So for me, there was never one moment. (However, there have been many special moments that have affirmed my career choice). It was childhood excitement, that lead to potential, that encouraged me to find my passion, which revealed my career path. I know this is what I was meant to do.