Today we’d like to introduce you to Callum Watson.
Hi Callum, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since first grade, I always have had a connection to marine science. I was especially drawn to forming a connection with large marine mammals in particular. Caring for them and advocating for ocean conservation was my passion. In high school, I volunteered my time as a youth leader and educator at my church and the Aquarium of the Pacific. In both places, my scientific identity greatly impacted my pedagogy.
In college, I strengthened my scientific identity by studying marine biology in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I volunteered and interned as an aquarist and as a marine mammal trainer. I obtained many SCUBA certifications to help maintain exhibits and feed our animals. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with adult green sea turtles, a wide variety of sharks, rays, and four amazing South American sea lions. I was sure that I wanted to be a marine mammal trainer and was going to be in the water every day of my life.
As I continued to volunteer with youth and children at my church and aquariums, many professionals would pull me to the side and implore me to shift the focus of my career to education. This happened to me so often and in such drastically different environments. It jolted me.
I did not want to let go of my passion for marine science in pursuit of my passion for education. To keep both, I created an individualized bachelor’s degree entitled Marine Science Education. I was able to obtain experience in formal education and STEM simultaneously. Upon graduation, I began work at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
At the Aquarium, I used to deliver educational shows in front of large crowds and would teach guests about our conservation efforts. I was then promoted to Youth Volunteer Coordinator and was responsible for connecting youth to marine science and conservation by running four youth volunteer programs. Now, as the Youth and Family Volunteer Coordinator, I have the privilege of managing all of our teen programs at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My path has not been a smooth road. During my time on St. Thomas, I experienced two category five hurricanes that devastated the island and interrupted my academic journey. Hurricanes Irma and Maria prodded me into living a purpose-driven and meaningful life. I learned that although material items such as clothes, jewelry, and cars can provide you with social rewards and access to spaces, they can be taken away from you at any moment. Valuing people, experiences, and precious moments became a priority for me.
I was also furloughed during Covid-19. This was devastating for me. I felt as though I did everything right! I had freshly graduated from college, I had been making significant progress in my career, and I was building meaningful experience, yet there was nothing I could have done to salvage my job. As the pain slowly subsided, I recognized how much I used my job to validate my self-worth. Through this personal experience, I learned to reevaluate my life’s priorities. I discovered that although I can accomplish my dreams through my work within the corporate world, I am valuable outside of this realm as well. This struggle taught me the importance of balancing external sources of approval and societal rewards with self-love and self-affirmation.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Due to my experience during Covid-19, I decided to explore my self-growth outside of the corporate world. I know that as a leader who enjoys practicing a transformational leadership style, I cannot pour into others without first filling my cup. For this reason, I applied for graduate school to discover leadership more intimately. Now, I am graduating this summer with a master’s degree in Leadership and Administration and have been accepted into a Ph.D. program in Leadership that starts this fall. I am excited to continue intentionally growing as a leader to affect change within my community. Throughout the entirety of my time at the Aquarium of the Pacific, I have been the only Black educator. Many visiting Black families have come to thank me for persisting in this space and would oftentimes pull me aside to hug me. For this reason, I have a particular interest in studying scientific racism’s impact on Black STEM engagement. My goal is to create more culturally relative curricula to encourage Black engagement in spaces like these. My goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive work environment for Black youth who do persist in STEM so that the environment itself does not deter them further. Another goal for me is to teach other educators how to set up African American and Black students for success academically by closing opportunity gaps. It is the opportunity gaps that sustain the achievement gaps we educators are quick to acknowledge.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid-19 has caused me to shift my focus onto the progress of Gen-Z. I am extremely proud of this generation and their commitment to positive change. They are not afraid of calling out toxic work environments, unhealthy family dynamics, and the grind culture which have plagued the generations before them. They have inspired me throughout this entire pandemic and have deepened my conversations.
During Covid-19, Gen-Z has taught me that life is not a productivity contest. At the beginning of the pandemic, essential workers took the center stage which made the millions of newly unemployed deflate their sense of self-importance. Gen-Z was a light in the darkness by calling out the dangers of grind culture by asserting that over-working and struggling is not a necessarily badge of honor. You do not need to validate your existence by grinding. You belong here on this planet simply because you are human.
This pandemic has taught me to listen to and support the younger generation. I have learned to be humble and step aside to allow them to do the work they have been called to do. I believe that “a child shall lead us” to an amazing future. Even the wisest have something new to learn.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: aquariumofpacific.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquariumpacific/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AquariumofthePacific/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AquariumPacific
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/aquariumofthepacific
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aquariumpacific/
Image Credits
bluecavern.tiff / Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific HarborSeal.CreditRobinRiggs.jpg / Credit: Robin Riggs CaliforniaSeaLion.CreditRobinRiggs.jpg / Credit: Robin Riggs SharkLagoon.CreditAquariumofthePacific / Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific Penguin.CreditRobinRiggs / Credit: Robin Riggs SeaOtter.CreditRobinRiggs / Credit: Robin Riggs SeaTurtle.CreditKenKurtis / Credit: Ken Kurtis Tropicalfish.CreditRobinRiggs / Credit: Robin Riggs AquariumofthePacificexterior.CreditTom Bonner / Photo credit required: The new Pacific Vision wing at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA © 2019 Tom Bonner Photos for editorial use only in connection with the Aquarium of the Pacific Not to be accessed by others not aware of this agreement to prevent unauthorized distribution or use.
