Have you ever wondered what it’s like to switch gears in your academic journey? Meet Caitlin McKeown, an adventurous student pursuing an environmental science and coastal and marine science degree.
Caitlin’s academic journey began with a fascination with wildlife journalism. Her dream was to capture the wonders of nature through the lens of her camera. However, as she delved deeper into her mass communications degree, she began to realise the ethical complexities that come with photojournalism, especially when working in remote or disadvantaged areas. The dilemma of choosing between capturing a moment and helping someone in need left her questioning her path.
After completing her mass communication degree, Caitlin decided to pivot her academic journey towards something more purpose-drive. She wanted to focus on her lifelong love for the environment and nature. Sha made the bold move to study environmental science and coastal and marine science, aiming to make a direct impact on conservation efforts.
Starting over as a first-year student, Caitlin faced the challenge of adapting to a new field and being surrounded by peers of varying ages. Humanities and science are like apples and oranges, and the transition wasn’t without its share of difficulties.
“In Humanities, a lot of it is creative and it’s up for discussion. People can collaborate and you answers aren’t wrong. No matter what you say, you can be a more creative but with science, there’s one answer and you’re either wrong or you’re right. Navigating that has been tricky for me because I’m more of a creative person.”
Despite these challenges, Caitlin found her footing in the world of science. Her favourite part? The sense of purpose. Her new degree brings her closer to her dream job every day, making every unit an exciting step towards her goal of becoming an environmental scientist.
Caitlin is also the driving force behind “We Spot Turtles,” a startup involving the community in sea turtle conservation. This initiative aims to empower people to make a real impact while collecting crucial data on sea turtle populations, behaviours and more.
This project aligns with Caitlin’s belief in the power of community engagement and the urgent need for accurate data collection in conservation. With many sea turtle species lacking accurate endangerment statuses due to data gaps, her startup could be the game changer.
For Caitlin, the key success is simple: keep your eye on the prize. Remembering that every assignment, every challenge and every step you take is a part of your journey towards making a difference in the world. Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back.
“There’s lot of people that come up with really good ideas, but there’s that imposter syndrome saying: ‘why should I be the one to make that change, how can I be the one that does that?’ Genuinely if you have a good idea, go for it and just put yourself out there and give it a crack because you never know what will come from it.”
Caitlin’s zest for life extends beyond her studies. She believes that life is what you make of it. Whether she’s at university, working, or managing her startup, she approaches each day with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
“I try to live life with the motto: life is what you make of it. If I put myself out there and give myself a chance to have fun, then it’s not going to be chore.”
