Former 9 Year Old Actually Becomes Marine Biologist

SANDY FRASER | Youth | CONTACT

A Betoota Heights woman has broken the mould after actually following through with her childhood marine biology aspirations. 

Growing up in landlocked Betoota, Mikayla Koomah (24) relocated to Tasmania after graduating, where she pursued a degree in marine science. 

“I had been wanting to do this since I was 9 years old,” she said. 

“Though I didn’t really know what a marine biologist was, or what they do exactly, I just knew I wanted to be one. The job title sounded so boss.”

“Incidentally, all the other kids in my class also wanted to be a marine biologist, besides one or two kids that wanted to be a vet or a spy, and one that wanted to be an astronaut.”

“But yeah after my family and I went to Bundaberg one year and saw the turtles hatch at Mon Repos I just knew this was my calling.”

Luckily for Mikayla, many children eventually shed marine biology as a dream job by the time they reach adolescence, instead opting for careers in nursing, psychology, or art. 

In Australia, there are only 760 people officially employed as marine biologists. 

Though the field has become increasingly competitive, former children like Mikayla ensure our oceans and underwater ecosystems stay studied. 

“To any children hoping to be a marine biologist one day, I must admit the job is a bit different to the whole swimming with dolphins and turtles thing I once imagined,” said Mikayla. 

“Like you won’t really get to hang out on the boat looking like you stepped straight off the set of H20. But that's ok. It is still sort of fun, sometimes.”