Paula Carlson
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas, TX US
"Align yourself with the positive influences in your life that bring you up instead of tearing you down. When you do, you'll be surprised at the capacity of the people in your life to help you achieve your dreams."
Career Roadmap
Paula's work combines: Environment & Nature, Science, and Accomplishing Goals
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I felt really frustrated by this, but my mother kept telling me not to worry about it. You have to start with what you love and what you know and let it take you to the next thing.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Texas A & M University-College Station
Graduate Degree
Zoology/Animal Biology
George Mason University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
First seeds of Paula Carson's future aquarium career were first planted in her eight-year-old brain while watching Saturday morning TV.
2.
When she saw Jacques Cousteau and the crew of the Calypso embarking on underwater adventures, she thought, "I want to do that."
3.
She got a pet fish and started reading everything she could on fish, rocks, and anything ocean-related.
4.
In high school, Paula and her mother studied the Texas A&M course catalog to make sure she was on the right track for marine biology.
5.
All the while, she'd never even seen the ocean in person, yet she was absolutely sure that this was what she wanted to do.
6.
Says that looking back, she's surprised that she kept going, considering how many detractors she encountered.
7.
People told her she'd never find a job and she wouldn't be able to have a family, but she tuned out negativity in favor of constructive advice.
8.
Says be willing to let your dreams evolve-never thought she'd be working in a rainforest environment, but wouldn't change it for the world.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You'll never find a job if you pursue marine biology.
How I responded:
I felt really frustrated by this, but my mother kept telling me not to worry about it. You have to start with what you love and what you know and let it take you to the next thing.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
People would say 'you can't do this and be a mother' or 'you can't do this and be a woman'.
I had a parent die when I was a teenager.