Jessica Chappell: Integrative Conservation PhD Student

News Date: 

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Content: 

This month's spotlight features Jess, a former Aquatic Bio and Spanish double major who's now diving into the rivers of Puerto Rico on her quest to save the environment.

Jess, on taking risks:

"But the most important thing I learned from this was that you should just try. Try for everything. I almost didn’t apply [to UC LEADS], because I wasn’t sure that I was what they were looking for. But I took a chance, did the application, and I got to be a part of the program. And I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Afterward, I had a friend at UCSB who wanted to go on a research trip to Antarctica. He wasn’t going to apply because he didn’t think he’d be accepted, he’d have to find a letter of rec…lots of excuses. I told him to apply because you never know, and four months later he was on a research cruise to Antarctica! It was awesome!"

View the full article (PDF)

Jess has invited students to contact her via LinkedIn with questions about the field and for advice on how to use your time at UCSB to prepare for a career in ecology. Requests to look over student resumes or to discuss your chances of getting into the field will not be responded to.

Jessica Chappell

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Editor: Brandilyn Gilbert, Academic Advisor