An Interview – Oliver Lee

This week on ‘An Interview with WiseOceans’ we spoke with our own Oliver Lee

Name: Oliver Lee

Role: Marine Biologist and Educator

Company: WiseOceans

Top Tip: All skills are valuable

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in marine conservation? 

As a child I dreamed of being in wildlife documentaries, so I loved learning about the earth system in Geography and science. My Geography teacher in high school inspired me to pursue physical Geography which led to my focus on ocean and freshwater systems during my undergraduate where I fell in love with field work and environmental research. I found the MSc International Marine Science at Heriot-Watt where I realised the scale of the challenges facing the marine environment and how to tackle them through meaningful conservation projects like UMTs coral research on Bidong and seagrass monitoring in Orkney with HWU. After graduation I applied for jobs in the sector and obtained an internship in coral conservation with Soneva which has inspired me to continue my pursuit of tackling marine threats and educating others with Wise Oceans.

2. What steps did you take or are you currently taking to achieve your career goals?

Rescue Diver with Pelagos Dive Centre, Crete.
MSc International Marine Science.
Volunteering with St. Abbs Marine Station.
Internship with Soneva Foundation.
Divemaster with Excel Scuba, Tenerife.
Studying Coral and marine species daily to increase my knowledge.

3. How did you obtain your current position? 

I regularly checked the WiseOceans job board for opportunities, saw this one, prepared my CV and Cover Letter and then applied.

4. Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?  

So much to choose! It has to be taking guests on guided snorkels and opening their eyes to the roles of marine life for the first time. I love seeing the wonder in their eyes.

5. Are there aspects of your position which make you feel that you are really ‘making a difference’? 

Getting in touch with local schools and teaching the children about the value of the mangroves, beach and coral reef around them.
Caring for the coral nursery and watching fragments grow.

6. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

All skills are valuable. This field is so interdisciplinary so anything you learn can be used in the future.

7. Are there any skills you never thought you would need but did?

Customer service skills from my time in hospitality. They are very transferrable to stakeholder relations with other NGOs and for educating others about the marine world.

8. What advice would you give to budding marine conservationists?  

Keep applying and get as much relevant experience as possible. My time as a swimming teacher helped me get this position.

9. What is your favourite marine creature and why?

The Cleaner Wrasse. Scientists have a recent hypothesis that they can remember up to 10,000 individual fish and how they like to be cleaned. If they clean too deep and the fish flinches then they will know for next time.

10. What is your most unforgettable moment in the sea?

Diving in the Maldives and being visited by a lone manta who did a twirl right in front of me.