As an interdisciplinary program the careers that MRM alumni end up in are as varied as our graduates. MRM alumni have gone on to work in government agencies, politics, research, NGO management, and education. While many of our alumni accept fellowships or move directly into the work force, others build on their MRM foundation and pursue higher level graduate degrees in fields ranging from Law and Policy to Wildlife Science and Education.
Below are a few examples of what some of our MRM alumni are doing with their degrees.
Kelsey Gianou ‘12
Employer: NOAA
Position: NOAA Coastal Management Fellow
Location: Puget Sound, WA
Upon graduating from the MRM department Kelsey secured a position as a NOAA Coastal Management Fellow stationed at the Washington State Department of Ecology. As a fellow her project focuses on developing guidance to assist local shoreline planners in the promotion of appropriate “Green Shoreline” projects in Puget Sound. Green Shorelines involves the use of soft alternatives to hard structures on the shoreline for erosion control. Her fellowship products will provide guidance to local shoreline planners to help promote, incentivize, and improve the process of implementing Green Shoreline projects for private shoreline property owners.
Jessica Keys ’04
Employer: Strategies 360
Position: Senior Vice President, Oregon Office
Location: Portland, OR
Jessica has worked in both government and NGO positions. She spent five years as a Natural Resources Policy advisor to Oregon Governor Kulongoski where her responsibilities included providing disaster assistance to economically distressed salmon fishermen, collaborating with California and Washington on ocean conservation and science, and developing wave energy projects along Oregon’s coast. Prior to transitioning to her current position she worked as a long-term Senior Policy Advisor with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington, D.C. where she reported to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
