The Smithsonian Institution’s 2020 Earth Optimism Digital Summit was a fantastic way to celebrate Earth Day last month. How did you become involved and what was your role in that?
Wow! What a great experience that was. This year, I was fortunate enough to be one of four hosts for the 2020 Earth Optimism Digital Summit, which was a 21-hour live broadcast of speakers, films and panels featuring changemakers from all over the world. Think of the host’s role as almost like a news anchor’s – throwing to various segments, interviewing guests and providing final thoughts after a panel or film. Before working at NASA, I was a science writer for the Ocean Hall at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History which is how I met the summit organizers nearly four years ago.
What do you love about your job?
Permit me to be sappy for one second here. I obviously loved Earth before I started working at NASA. But in the context of a boundless universe, which is the context in which NASA sees Earth, it is the most perfect oasis we have yet to discover. The other planets in our solar system and beyond are fascinating and it will be so exciting when a human sets foot on one. But I think if we were adrift on any other planet, we’d try to get to Earth as quickly as we could. I get the amazing job of revealing its mysteries and telling a piece of its epic story.
How did your time at Scripps help shape your career or current role?
Going to Scripps gave me a strong education, but equally so, it gave me confidence to ask the right questions when interviewing scientists and engineers. Achieving a degree from Scripps was an extremely validating moment and I still carry that momentum into my work today.
What initially sparked your interest in science?
I don’t think I was ever interested in science per se, more so the stories that the natural world had to tell. It started with visiting the wetlands near my house in Southern California and understanding the life history of animals that were born in eelgrass nurseries. Science still tells a page-turning story, but it's supplemented by rigorous observation and testing. And ultimately, it demystifies our deep human connection to the land and sea, both material and spiritual.
What are some of the challenges or obstacles you’ve overcome?
I’ve been lucky enough to move through my career relatively obstacle-free. In truth, the biggest obstacles I faced were the ones created for myself. When I transitioned from being an international policy wonk to a science writer, I worried that the scientific community wouldn’t think I belonged. Then when I transitioned from being a writer to a video producer, I worried about the same thing. Now I realize that a non-linear career path can actually be an asset to your work.
What advice do you have for current Scripps students?
First of all, if you’re a Scripps student, you’ve already made some great life choices! But don’t lose your focus! Sometimes it’s easy to become myopic about your field of study. As much as you can, try to relate your work back to the bigger picture. Don’t lose sight of what you uniquely bring to your field and lean into that. Perhaps it’s your unconventional approach to solutions, your ability to suss out minute details, your talent connecting seemingly disparate themes, or your ability to coordinate a team. Conservation needs people who think and work in different ways to tackle a challenge from all fronts.
– Brittany Hook
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