Hollings Scholarship Essay

I have had a lifelong passion for environmental issues that arose from a childhood spent amongst mountains, canyons, islands, and rivers. The Anacostia River near my home is dubbed “The Forgotten River,” for it has been transformed by neglect. It was integral to my childhood—my family canoed on the river, my crew team practiced on it, and my Eagle Scout project involved rehabilitating one of its wetlands. The river showed me that environmental issues are complex, involving science, social justice, politics, economics, and history. From a young age, I was stunned by my city’s apathy and saw a change that needed to occur. The complexities of the relationship between humans and their environment intrigued me.

I solidified my environmental interest during the fall …show more content…
If I am lucky, work hard, and am in the right place at the right time, it is very possible that I could end up doing climate research with the Navy. However, I am prepared to be flexible with my five years in the Navy. I will do the job that is needed of me to the best of my ability, and I will take on every experience as a learning opportunity. The Navy will teach me things that will be applicable in all walks of life. I see the Hollings Scholarship as an opportunity to plan for both my immediate and less-immediate future. Not only would this scholarship help me decide what I want to do in the Navy, but also give me invaluable tools to use throughout my career. After five years, I will have to decide if I want to stay in the Navy. I imagine this will be a very difficult decision, especially without experience in other sectors. This is the reason I am most excited about the Hollings Scholarship. It will provide me with a network of like-minded peers as well as mentors. It will show me another side of the ocean. If I love my time with NOAA, I could certainly imagine myself joining after my service