Hi, my name is Alexia Sara Brewster. I am currently a senior in the marine science undergrad program at the University of South Carolina. On my mom’s side, I am a first-gen American and on my dad’s side, you can trace us back to the Mayflower. I grew up a little differently than most due to one of my parents being an immigrant, and on top of that, it took me on a journey to figure out who I truly am which I am still trying to figure out. It has been a long, windy, and twisty road to where I am today. At times it was very rough, but I eventually pushed through it and made it to the other side. Next up is trying to graduate, then looking for a job I get fulfillment and joy out of which is proving harder than I would have liked.

 

My journey to USC was not like most other people's. I did not get in as an incoming freshman,

I got denied. Instead, I transferred in as a sophomore in the second semester of my first year.

Spring of 2022. Part of the reason I ended up at USC was because of a boy. Which eventually

worked out in my favor because I and said boy are now engaged and getting married in October

of 2024. I started at the University of North Florida as a biology major with a concentration in

marine biology. The campus was beautiful and enchanted me when I visited my junior year of

high school. I went but wound up realizing it was not the place for me. Then I came here, and I

met many great people. I remember being so nervous when I came here worried, that I would not be able to accomplish anything because the school originally did not want anything to do with me. Two years later, here I am. 

 

I have made quite a few accomplishments in my time here that I will later talk about in my key insights such as my internship with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), my research that I currently do at the university, and my current internship at Coastal Science and Engineering. On top of that, I received a grant for my research which pushed me to work harder and showed me that someone thinks what I am doing is making a difference. I have also earned two departmental scholarships from my major which have shown me working hard can prove to others I know what I am doing, and that I am qualified. I have been very lucky to get the opportunities I have had because of the people that I have met through my journey here at USC. 

 

Through all of this, I have learned I can make some sort of difference in the world that can help others and everything here on this planet we call home. Like Sylvia Earle says, “No water, no life. No blue, no green.”  Which shows us what is important in this world to focus on. I will talk more in my leadership section about how I plan to make a difference and work hard to do what is right. 

 

After graduation I hope to get into the workforce, however that may look. My dream job was to do hatchery work which I love greatly. However, right after I got engaged, my fiancée got a job at a law firm in Greeneville, South Carolina. Everything happened so quickly and within a month of us being engaged, he already moved and lived in a different part of the state. And on top of that, I am unable to do what I want to do. So, I am trying to put myself out there and try new things to see what else I enjoy and want to do. That is how I started my research here, and how I got to my current internship for a consultancy firm. I may not know what is next, but I sure am trying my best to figure that out. Find something I enjoy and love doing. Something that makes me feel fulfilled and like I am making a difference somewhere.