For my Bachelors, I doubled majored at the University of California, Santa Cruz and wanted an interdisciplinary Masters program.  I learned about Evergreen and the MES program at a graduate fair and knew I had finally found a Masters program that fit my diverse and ever expanding research interests.

The thesis requirement was one of the main reasons why I chose to complete the MES program.  Writing a thesis is a challenging process and it allowed me to grow as a writer and researcher.  Though writing a thesis can be daunting, the MES program gives you the flexibility in your studies to write a thesis on a topic that you are passionate about.  My thesis is titled “Reproductive Success and Population Stability of Seven Raptor Species Following the Great Colorado Flood of 2013”.  I acquired the data and thesis topic from an internship in Colorado that was recommended to me by an MES alum.  Since completing my thesis, I have attached my MES thesis to emails when reaching out for professional development opportunities.

One of the opportunities that has arisen since I graduated from MES is an affiliate researcher position with Portland State University.  My MES thesis was about a natural disaster, a 500 year flood in Colorado, and the research being conducted in the PSU Anthropology lab is on the April 2015 earthquake that occurred in Nepal.  I was able to take what I learned throughout my time in MES and apply those concepts to become a researcher.  I hope to someday pursue a doctoral degree and the MES program has been an integral part of my academic career.

One of the biggest benefits of MES is the cohort model.  You have classmates that are there to support you and want to see you succeed.  Take the time to get to know your cohort, both in and outside of class.  The MES network is extensive and MESers are all across the country and many also go abroad after their time in MES.