 What is your current job and what does it entail?
I work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (www.noaa.gov/). Currently, I am an international relations specialist with the National Environmental Satellite, Data, Information Service (NESDIS) (www.nesdis.noaa.gov/). I apply my scientific training as a marine biologist to support NESDIS' goals of acquiring and processing satellite data and disseminating derived products to support a number of oceanic, terrestrial, and atmospheric applications by domestic and global customers.
NESDIS operates civil operational polar orbiting and geostationary environmental satellites that collect and process global data. It also operates a number of world data centers for oceanographic, climatic, and geophysical and solar-terrestrial data. Because the world's oceans play such an important role in environmental changes and short-term weather forecasts, NESDIS partners with other operational and research space agencies (www.ceos.org/) and the private space industry to acquire data that can be used to improve NOAA's job to provide high quality environmental assessments and forecasts. I also work with scientists and operational offices who provide a service or are involved in projects with international partners. Some of my current projects include: use of remote sensing to detect coral bleaching (psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/climohot.html), satellite-derived detection of fires, volcanic ash (hpssd1en.wwb.noaa.gov/VAAC/vaac.html), and use of satellites in hazard and disaster management (www.ceos.noaa.gov/).
I interact with other US government agencies such as the Agency for International Development both in Washington, D.C., and at their field missions; the Department of State in Washington and at their embassies and consulates; NASA; and the US Geologic Survey. I also interact with representatives of foreign governments in Washington and in their home countries.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
The opportunity to get paid to go to the beach ;) Seriously, I wanted to make a difference in an emerging field and the marine sciences provided an opportunity to do that. I was initially interested in aquaculture and the potential it has for feeding the world's poor and creating a new economic base for developing countries. While I remain interested in that area, I am fascinated by the role the ocean plays in our daily lives. I am particularly intrigued by the growing use of satellite technology, such as use of satellite derived sea surface temperature to monitor the on-set of El Nino or La Nina conditions as well as the use of the same data, processed with a different algorithm, to help decision-makers prepare for the changes these global oceanic conditions will bring. Some of these global indicators are drought, increased potential for wildfires, floods, changes in endangered species migration patterns, and dramatic impacts to local fisheries.
What do like most about your career?
Being involved in projects and programs that involve ocean, coastal, terrestrial, and atmospheric issues at local, national, and international levels. Currently, I work for an agency that has allowed me the opportunity to work in different positions. Some of my experiences include working in Hawaii to develop a national marine sanctuary to protect the humpback whale and its habitat, representing NOAA on government delegations to a number of United Nations and other international meetings (Earth Summit, UNEP, Global Disaster meetings), and working with a task force to develop a federal framework for aquatic nuisance species in the marine environment. My current position allows me to work with remote sensing specialists involved in making technology that seemed too "high-tech" a few years ago useful for ocean and coastal management.
What do you like least about your career?
The oftentimes slow process of change within a government bureaucracy.
What do you do to relax?
Travel (domestic and foreign), pottery, theater, reading, volunteer work.
Who are your heroes/heroines?
People who are at the forefront of making a positive change at all costs, and who have demonstrated personal and professional integrity and commitment to their cause.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?
Every experience, good and bad, is a good teacher. Get a solid foundation in the sciences, especially calculus, physics, and biochemistry. Find a mentor and apply yourself to achieve your goals. Pursue internships, fellowships, and other opportunities, even if they are outside your field of interest. You will learn something from each one. Take all the negative "-isms" and use them as fuel for a can-do attitude!
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?
There are increasing opportunities for scientists, especially those in interdisciplinary areas such as the marine sciences. The opportunities exist to implement the recent global environmental agreements (Law of the Sea, Earth Summit's Agenda 21, Biodiversity Convention, Climate Change Convention) and programs within a number of United Nations specialized agencies, such as the Environment Programme, International Oceanographic Commission, and World Meteorological Organization. Diplomats recognize that they need scientists who are familiar with the multilateral negotiations to help them develop and implement these agreements. U.S. technical agencies such as NOAA are being used to provide the necessary expertise to further science and technology concepts in the global arena. There are also increased opportunities for scientists to work at the Department of State and USAID to further science and technology as a part of US foreign policy.
What will you be doing 10 years from today?
I do not know, but am open to whatever presents itself.
Salary: $60,000 - $80,000
Email:janice.sessing@noaa.gov
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