To start off, say a little about yourself, your interests, your undergraduate degree and what you are doing now.
My name is Reid Sutherland, and I have just graduated in May 2022 from UNB with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Biology. Specifically, I have attained concentrations in Marine Biology, Aquatic Biology, Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation. I have also obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English, and in September, I will begin my Master of Marine Management at Dalhousie University. In the meantime, I work for the Canadian Coast Guard in Search and Rescue, and I hope to hit the water with the Dalhousie Sailing Team in the Fall. Outside of research and work, I love playing rugby, listening to music, reading, and finding a farmer’s market on weekends.
What would it be if you could go back and change one thing about your education to this point?
If I could go back and change one part of my education to this point, I would have researched the application process for multiple graduate programs and universities. I took a long time to make my decision regarding the next steps for me following my undergraduate degrees, which I do not regret, but a part of the delay was struggling to connect with a school and supervisor that I felt really fit with me in terms of goals, values, and research interests. Ultimately, I stand by my decision, but knowing more about reaching out to potential supervisors, and collaborators and applying for schools and how that process varies between institutions would have certainly made my decision-making process faster and easier.
Do you feel like your “real world experiences” will help you succeed in this program?
I am positive that my applied research experience will help me moving forward with my education. From developing my soft skills and abilities to think critically and problem solve to growing as a writer and a researcher, the professional opportunities that I have had throughout my undergraduate degrees have done a great deal to prepare me both for advanced education and my future career. Whether it be tagging sharks off the Florida Keys, shadowing the researchers at OCEARCH aboard their research vessel, honing my boating skills with the Canadian Coast Guard, or spending the summer electrofishing as part of an experimental Atlantic salmon conservation strategy, the diversity of my experiences has led me to the Master of Marine Management Program.
What are your best survival tips for undergrad to succeed?
My best advice for undergraduate students would be to both diversify their experiences and hone their computing and coding skills. Try everything you possibly can in terms of hands-on experience--you won't love all of it, but a diverse range of experience in the field of your interest will help you narrow down your specific passions and goals moving forward. Moreover, the skills you will come away with will undoubtedly serve you in the future; I just so happened to have the opportunity to become a certified drone pilot after conversing with a colleague. Furthermore, experimenting with coding and computing, especially as a science student, will both leave you with marketable competencies and make your life easier. Practical Computing at UNB was one of my favourite classes during my five years there!
What would be your best experience during undergrad?
It is incredibly difficult to choose my best experience throughout my undergraduate degrees at UNB. There are a lot of incredible opportunities, people, and memories to choose from, but I would have to say that my internship with Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory & Remote Field Station must take the cake. I spent a few months working as a Student Researcher at the lab and travelled the island of Jamaica coast to coast in my downtime surfing, cliff-jumping, making friends, and snorkelling with the entire cast of Finding Nemo. My friend even met Usain Bolt at dinner one night.