As I settle into the next stage of my career as programs manager at the Water Education Foundation, I’ve been reminiscing on the initial passion that got me here. In fourth grade I decided I was going to be a marine biologist. I loved the ocean, being outside, animals and science, so it seemed like a logical conclusion for a kid in the mid-80s. I grew up on the tail end of Jacques Cousteau’s career and in the heyday of places like SeaWorld and Marine World Africa USA. Had I known about other options that aligned with my passions, I might have had a very different career trajectory. I followed the traditional education model that stresses college and four-year degrees as the only option if you want to have a successful career.

My professional path started with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz, which landed me a job taking care of fish at PetSmart. I did some odd lab jobs and internships with various government agencies as I continued my education. I’ve worked in aquariums and pet stores, did a couple of stints on a yacht and even bartended in the Caribbean. Once I discovered that my passion lay in teaching, I spent almost 14 years in a high school science classroom before following my bliss as an outdoor and environmental educator.

In my new role at the Foundation, I find myself in the exciting position of inspiring teachers across California to bring water literacy to the next generation of decision makers and workers through the Foundation’s Project WET program. Today, California faces a dwindling workforce of skilled tradesmen, making options like community college, trade schools and apprenticeships find new favor, according to the Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research. EdSource reports that Career Technical Education programs in high schools are on the rise in California, with an ever-growing catalog of options from agriculture to energy, environmental and utilities tracks.