Associate Research Professor; Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
B.S. EAS 2006; Ph.D. EAS 2013
Beckler
Jordon
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Ft. Pierce, FL
Please briefly describe your current job
Associate Research Professor - Geochemical Sensing Lab at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Primarily research on applied topics such as harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. I also teach one class per year.
What is your favorite part of your current position
Job & intellectual freedom now that I have a family- If I think of a crazy idea, it is much fun to try to convince a funding agency to support it! Mentoring graduate students is pretty rewarding - even have one that joined EAS for a PhD!
How did your EAS education prepare you for your current job?
Phenomenal mentoring by my research mentor Dr. Martial Taillefert and other faculty. I participated in undergraduate research my final year as an undergraduate even though I entirely lacked the confidence. I was instantly hooked on the thrill of participating in oceanographic adventures, never knowing what you will discover in the world of sediment geochemistry. I became super well-versed regarding so many research topics I was exposed to thru other faculty in classes and thru research. We did work in so many cool locations using so many cool platforms, including Remotely Operated Vehicles and I even got to dive in the DSV ALVIN submersible. Got to see the world - Mexico, France, California and make lifelong connections (both scientific and personal friendships) with scientists in all of these locations.
What do you wish you had known as an EAS undergraduate in order to land the job of your dreams?
The undergraduate program was meteorology-heavy when I was there, so there wasn't as much broad big-picture career scoping outside of this discipline for industry jobs (i.e., non-academic). But I think this point is no longer relevant with new degree programs.