I went to Cal Poly Humboldt with interests in both but was unsure of a career path. I started in the art department pursuing a Bachelor's degree in studio art. Still, I also took the more challenging science courses for science majors that qualified for a degree in science. I learned about the Science Illustration Certificate Program at Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and decided science illustration would be an excellent way to combine my interests in science and art. This illustration program asks applicants to have a background in science and art, so I decided that to be best qualified for the program and future work, I needed to add more science to my class load. I found that in my general science classes I was most interested in the study of plants. I was happy to learn that Cal Poly Humboldt offered both a minor and a Bachelor's degrees in Botany so I could continue to focus on plants! I added botany as a major and graduated in five years with two Bachelor's degrees, in Studio Art and Botany. I spent one year in the CSUMB program, where I learned more about the field of science illustration, learned some digital art techniques and completed internships. Upon completing my education came the more difficult task of finding consistent work in a field with many possible career paths. I have found a good balance of being engaged in my community by applying for art opportunities through local art associations in my city and working with the local schools while also working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer in the science illustration field.
