Meg Begley, Grad Student at University of Maine

Meg Begley of Topsfield graduated in 2009 with a degree in Marine Biology. Meg is currently a master's student at the University of Maine Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology.Tell us a little bit about what you are doing now: Since graduating from UMM, I have perfected the art of the American gypsy. I have had the opportunity to work as an observer on the Bering Sea, patrol the beaches of South Texas for nesting sea turtles, monitor plankton communities and survey spawning horseshoe crabs in Delaware, and conduct population studies on manatees in Florida. I worked at a number of outdoor education facilities including Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in the Florida Keys, HISD Outdoor Education Center in Texas, and Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. Currently, I am working on a Master’s project researching commercial harvest impacts on white suckers (freshwater fish) in Maine.

What is the most valuable thing you learned while at UMM?

As corny as it sounds, the most valuable thing I learned was the type of person I wanted to be. I was no longer under the watchful eye of my parents; I had the freedom to make my own choices and decide what was important in my life.

Do you have any advice for current students at UMM?

UMM will give you many opportunities to improve your skill sets and make you competitive for future jobs. The key is to build good relations with your professors, push your comfort level and try new things, and go above and beyond what is expected of you in class. If you want a future in the sciences, it is critical to volunteer your time to help with ongoing projects. If you are not sure of the ongoing research on campus, ask! Opportunities do not usually fall in your lap; you have to work for it!

How did your time at UMM prepare you for what you are doing now?

While at UMM I had a lot of “in the field” experience, most of which was not glamorous. This helped me in many of the positions I have had since graduating because I had the fortitude to work in many uncomfortable situations. I was also equipped with the knowledge of how to conduct “good” science which I feel is critical with research today.

How has UMM made a positive impact on your life?

What impacted my life while at UMM was the dedication and enthusiasm of the professors that work there. They were the foundation for shaping my professional career, and it was through them that I was able to plan my life trajectory.