What reinspired a shift back to studying STEM? Postbac profile with Kylie West
In our second profile featuring a Marine Biology postbac student, we spoke with Kylie West about why she chose UW to complete her second undergraduate degree, plus what reinspired her shift back to studying STEM.
Kylie, share with us your journey to becoming a postbac student?
I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California. Growing up near the beach, I’ve always cared deeply about the ocean, marine wildlife, and environmental conservation. I read any marine mammal book I could get my hands on! Reading, writing, media production, and exercising my creative right brain have always come naturally for me. In high school, I used my platform as the school newspaper editor to bring awareness to environmental issues impacting the ocean. I was accepted into Stanford University and intended to pursue the environmental sciences or marine biology. Frustrated that I had to work twice as hard in STEM courses as my pre-med and engineering classmates, I decided to pivot to a double major in English and Film/Media Studies, choosing to hone my strengths in writing and filmmaking.
After graduating Stanford, I remained in the Bay Area and worked in various marketing and content development roles, primarily for tech companies and startups. However, my work wasn’t fulfilling on a personal level, and I tried to “fill the void” by volunteering for numerous ocean conservation groups during my free time. I joined many organizations, obtained my naturalist certification, and edited a couple of ocean-focused films that premiered in a film festival. My heart was always full after volunteering at events, and I frequently contemplated switching my career path to coastal policy and conservation efforts.
Seven years into my professional career and often regretting my decision not to pursue a marine biology degree during my undergraduate years, I made a huge life choice: I was going to return to school to develop a STEM background and pursue a master’s degree. I enrolled in community college science courses, applied for post-baccalaureate programs, and worked as a deckhand and naturalist aboard a whale-watching vessel for some income during this time.
UW was one of the few schools that offered a postbac opportunity. In May 2023, I received the thrilling news that I’d been accepted to UW. Though it was a significant life change and risky endeavor, I happily accepted the offer and moved to Seattle a few months later. And I couldn’t be happier with my decision!
How long have you been in the UW Marine Biology major?
I’m currently senior status and have been enrolled since September 2023. I’ll be graduating in May 2025.
What would you highlight as a benefit of being a postbac student, getting your second undergraduate degree?
The writing and media skills I cultivated from my first degree and professional experience have proven incredibly useful at UW, especially in reviewing and writing detailed scientific papers. Also, the ocean-related experience I gained through volunteer activities helped prepare me for the fieldwork and experiential learning opportunities at UW.
In a similar vein, was there anything that was a challenge as a postbac student?
After being away from the classroom for many years, returning to school was an adjustment. During my first quarter at UW, I was intimidated by large classes, not knowing a single person, and being much older than my classmates. Thankfully, I have had such welcoming, inclusive, and kind classmates. It’s been a joy to collaborate with such smart peers! The UW faculty has also been incredibly welcoming and helpful.
What would be one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a similar route?
If you’ve been contemplating a career change and are truly passionate about the subject, I encourage you to pursue your dream! While I had to make major sacrifices including taking on significant student loans, pursuing my postbac degree at UW has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
You’re graduating very soon—what have some of the highlights been for you here at UW?
Friday Harbor Labs (FHL)! This past fall, I took the Pelagic Ecosystems Function course and gained valuable fieldwork and research experience. The course is a really unique opportunity to dedicate an entire quarter to focusing on a singular topic that interests you. My research project investigated how temperature changes and trophic level dynamics may be contributing to decreasing marine mammal density in the Salish Sea. We also had the special opportunity to take weekly trips aboard the oceanographic R/V Kittiwake, where we observed spectacular views of the San Juan Islands and the aquatic wildlife.
I also had the chance to study salmon in Aleknagik, Alaska as part of UW’s Alaska Salmon Program (ASP). This was such a unique and rewarding experience in the field. As someone studying marine biology, I was less familiar with the world of freshwater ecology and learned about so much about salmon, fisheries management, and field techniques through this course.
Another highlight has been my professors in the department. I’ve had such a positive learning experience. The teachers truly care about students and want them to succeed. Even though UW is a large research institution, the teachers have made the environment feel like a small, intimate community.
What’s next for you?
I will be starting graduate school at the UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) in fall 2025, and I intend to focus my studies on coastal policy. My goal is to combine my communications background with my newly-acquired marine biology knowledge to help implement policies that protect marine animals and the people and cultures who rely upon the ocean’s resources.