Marya Ahmad

What is your name and your job title?

• Marya Ahmad, District Environmental Coordinator

How long have you been in this role?

• 3 years in this position, 27 years with CA State Parks as an Interpreter and Research Assistant at the Tijuana Estuary (TRNERR)

How did you get into this line of work?

• I did not grow up with an outdoorsy or natural sciences influence, and natural resource protection wasn't discussed at home or school. It was an Environmental Biology class at Grossmont College that peaked my interest and opened my eyes to environmental protection. That led me to a degree in Social Science Environmental Emphasis and an internship at the Tijuana Estuary. When an ESI position opened in Education and Interpretation, I jumped on it. That was 1998!

What is your “why” for doing this job?

• I do this job because for many reasons. I'm probably one of the very few employees that remained an ESI for 20+ years. Why? Because the job I was doing was not a job. Every day I was inspired by the work we did and the people I worked with. There also weren't any permanent positions coming up at TRNERR in all those years and I didn't want to move, even to another park in SDCD. I loved the blend of Interpretation, Education, Research and Monitoring, Stewardship, Recreation, and Partnerships. Not to mention being the endpoint of a bi-national watershed. It felt like a unique opportunity and I was grateful to be part of it.

Who inspires you/who are some of your role models?

• I'm inspired by a lot of the young people I work with. They seem to have a lot more talent, drive, and passion that I did coming right out of college. I'm also inspired by the people I've worked alongside all these years. Most of them are some of the most dedicated people I know. They're passionate about the land they manage and protect, often willing to work outside of their job descriptions to do so, and for little reward, because we all know that it's not about the money when it comes to civil service or non-profits ;) In particular, I'm inspired by Dr. Mike and Patricia McCoy. They are some of the mightiest local heroes for coastal wetlands!

What advice do you have for anyone looking to pursue a career in this field? 

• I strongly recommend volunteering, interning, or taking a seasonal job. Positions don't come up often and when they do, even though they are competitive, having the inside experience (agency, organization, or private sector) can be a valuable advantage. Also, if it's at all possible, don't give up if it's something you really want if your preferred positions are coming up. Be willing to try other programs or departments as a way in.