Marine and Freshwater Science students out on a field trip.
Approximately 71% of our earth is covered by oceans, but much remains to be discovered about what happens within it and its role in the planet's climate.
And because Australia is a maritime nation with the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, we’re busy training graduates to work in the 'blue economy'.
This includes understanding the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs.
One day, one of those graduates will be Bree Elliott.
Bree's backyard
Bree spent her childhood in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia where the ocean was her 'backyard'.
She also spent most of her time participating in surf lifesaving and swimming until the end of high school.
And she still completes open water swims, including Perth's famous 20km Rottnest Channel Swim as a soloist!
Bree's grandpa was also a noteworthy influence.
An avid fisherman, sailor, aquarist, SCUBA diver and member of local and state-based marine committees, she cherished the time spent in and around the ocean with him.
ECU Marine and Freshwater Science student Bree Elliott working in the lab.
Going with the flow
This strong connection with water and the ocean naturally flowed into Bree's choice of high school subjects.
She completed Marine and Maritime studies ATAR in high school.
This gave her a strong pathway into Edith Cowan University where she is currently majoring in Marine and Freshwater Science as part of a Bachelor of Science degree.
Bree says she not only wants to further her understanding of marine and freshwater, but also to aid in its protection and conservation for the generations to come.
Off the deep end with hands-on study
At university, Bree has been amazed at how much of her study was hands-on.
This has included multiple field trips as part of her studies, and a 'Work Integrated Learning Placement', working with a marine consulting employer.
It was an eye-opening experience.
There, she was exposed to many aspects of the marine consulting industry, learning from the experience of professionals and gaining invaluable insights and advice not covered in university lectures or readings.
It was clearly of mutual benefit. Bree was offered a job with them at the end of her placement!
Bree Elliott is never far from water, even on her university campus at Joondalup, Western Australia.
A career that holds water
Bree's course at ECU has introduced her to a range of potential career options and helped her to form networks that will improve future employment prospects in the field.
Employers could include government environmental departments, private conservation organisations and companies in the environmental consulting and mining sectors.
You can apply a Science degree like Bree's to roles where you'll be managing and conserving marine and freshwater parks and reserves, rehabilitating aquatic ecosystems, undertaking environmental impact assessments, and promoting conservation of marine and freshwater fauna and flora.
