I first knew that I was destined to work on water when I was 10 years old growing up in Michigan. My fifth grade teacher, a college science major, taught a segment on Oceanography. There was still a buzz around Walsh (who I met years later at UC Berkeley) and Piccard diving to the bottom of the Marianna Trench in the Trieste. The "Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau" began airing shortly thereafter. I was hooked despite not swimming in an ocean (Senior Class Trip) until after I had been accepted into the Atmospheric and Ocean Science program at the University of Michigan.Both my BS (UMich) and MS (UC Berkeley) were obtained from their respective College of Engineering. It gave me an appreciation and talent for looking at a project from an Engineer's point of view. How is data going to be used? What does the client need? What can I do to make to the deliverables more useful to the end user?Working as a freelance/contract Hydrographic Engineer under the name Nearshore and Wetland Surveys since 2005, I have been exposed to a wide variety of projects, equipment, software, and work environments. I can quickly assess project requirements and map out methodologies to meet the clients expectations. The experience honed my skill to be adaptable and respond quickly problems that all to frequently arise when working in remote locations. I have learned to assimilate into each new team and take either a leadership or supportive role depending on what is required to complete the project.My passion has taken me throughout the United States and to Mexico, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, the Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Russia, I am most at peace when I am traveling and on the water.