College Experiences Helping a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer In The United States Navy Succeed
To prepare for a career as a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, Colleen took the only oceanography course available and fostered relationships, including mentorships with prior military personnel at various jobs, such as at Joe's Crab Shack and Home Depot, emphasizing that mentorship isn't about constant communication, but rather "letting people know that when you need them, you will be there," highlighting the importance of networking and diverse perspectives.
Oceanography, Meteorology, Mentorship, Networking, Military
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Colleen Wilmington
Meteorology and Oceanography Officer
United States Navy
University of Kansas
Naval Postgraduate School
English, Writing & Education
Government & Public Sector, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Taking the only oceanography class available, even if limited, can be a valuable starting point.
2. Maintaining relationships with mentors, even through simple gestures, can provide ongoing support and guidance.
3. Gaining diverse work experience, even outside your field of study, and forming relationships with mentors in those roles can broaden your network and provide valuable insights.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
I took the only oceanography class offered at the time. That was as far as I could go with it.
I considered changing my degree to meteorology while I was at Kansas. However, it didn't sync well with the requirements expected of a midshipman.
Even then, I worked through college. I worked at Joe's Crab Shack and Home Depot. I even had mentors in those positions who were prior military.
The relationships I had in college, whether at school, within ROTC, or through mentorships on summer commitments, as well as at Home Depot and Joe's, established my network.
Many people think mentorship requires frequent check-ins or constant information exchange. I've found that these relationships can be maintained simply through a holiday card or a Facebook message for a birthday. It's about letting people know you'll be there when they need you.
I have multiple mentors within meteorology. I tailor my questions based on what I know of their backgrounds. They know I will always reach out to them as my primary mentors.
When I need support, I know I can reach out to them. And they know that when they need support, I will reach out to them.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/colleen-wilmington