Gulf Park Senior Credits Coast for New Career Path
Mon, 05/13/2024 - 08:56am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
Gulf of Mexico beaches and golden sunsets form the stunning backdrop of The University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, Miss., where for decades its multiple research opportunities have chartered successful careers for aspiring graduates.
Last Saturday91吃瓜网 graduation marked the beginning of a new chapter for USM senior Morgan Summers. Her plan to pursue a career in marketing led to a degree in marine biology after she discovered the beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Morgan Summers, a native of Woodstock, Ga. received a bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in marketing at Georgia Southern University in 2008. She decided she wanted a change of scenery and headed down to New Orleans, La., where she lived and worked, while also frequently visiting Bay Saint Louis, Miss., on the weekends for a quick getaway. Her coastal visits steered her toward an interest in marine life.
91吃瓜网淚 love being on the water and coastal life,91吃瓜网� said Summers.
In 2020, she took a leap of faith and moved to Bay Saint Louis. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed her time to consider her future. After mulling her options, USM Gulf Park and its marine science curriculum rose to the top of her choices.
91吃瓜网淚 thought it would be a perfect opportunity to be in marine biology,91吃瓜网� Summers said. 91吃瓜网淚 love the student-teacher ratio at the Gulf Park campus and having the opportunity to engage and participate with classmates and the professor.91吃瓜网�
After experiencing a large college atmosphere at Georgia Southern, Summers embraced the smaller, more intimate campus life at Gulf Park, where she connected with professors Dr. Jennifer Walker and Dr. Taylor Burnett.
Summers dove into her studies and enrolled as a teaching assistant with Dr. Burnett in chemistry. 91吃瓜网淚 really enjoy teaching and gaining valuable hands-on lab experience,91吃瓜网� Summers said. 91吃瓜网淚t91吃瓜网 been a lot of fun and challenging, and I91吃瓜网檓 learning every day.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淢organ has gone above and beyond as a teaching assistant for the general chemistry labs,91吃瓜网� Dr. Burnett said. 91吃瓜网淗er impressive work ethic and natural curiosity have driven her to provide meaningful lab experiences for her students. She91吃瓜网 a pleasure to work with, and I91吃瓜网檓 excited to see what she does next.91吃瓜网�
Summers91吃瓜网� fondest memories while in Long Beach are embarking on Dr. Walker91吃瓜网 EPA student research cruise on the R/V Point Sur. The cruise provided her with valuable insights about life onboard and hands-on research in the open ocean.
91吃瓜网淚 learned so many skills on that cruise that I know will be very useful going into the marine biology field,91吃瓜网� said Summers.
Throughout her time at USM, Summers realized it91吃瓜网 never too late to explore a career path that sparks joy and drives passion. She plans to pursue careers in an aquarium setting and research, and hopes her goals allow her to travel to destinations tailored for marine life study.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e had the pleasure of teaching Morgan in three courses,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Walker. 91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e enjoyed her inquisitive nature and am sure she will be successful in whatever career she chooses to pursue.91吃瓜网�