Q&A with Alumna Connie Sullivan
Alumna Connie Sullivan graduated from the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs in 2012. Connie currently works as the Clean Boating Coordinator for Oregon Sea Grant and enjoys working with the boating community to ensure our waterways stay clean. Read on to learn more about Connie’s career and what advice she has for current SMEA students.
How did your time in SMEA prepare you for your work?
I volunteered with the WA Sea Grant’s clean boating program, which provided me the knowledge to do my current job. My SMEA degree also helped me become a WA Sea Grant Hershman Marine Policy Fellow, which allowed me to gain a good understanding of Sea Grant and know it was a place I wanted to eventually work at.
How would you describe your SMEA experience?
I had the flexibility to do a lot with my time at SMEA, including enrolling in classes at the UW Law School and Oceanography, TAing at Friday Harbor Laboratories three times, and getting a solid foundation in how to better communicate science in meaningful ways to a variety of people, partners, and stakeholders.
Do you have any advice for current SMEAstudents?
Network!! Never underestimate the potential in every single conversation you have. You truly never know where a connection may lead.
