Finding My Place in Social Science

Hello! My name is Alexa Hernandez, and I am currently a third-year undergraduate student at California State University San Marcos, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology. This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, where I worked on the Ocean Access Project in San Diego County conducting community surveys and talking with people across the county to better understand how people access, use, and value the ocean in California.  

But getting to this point wasn’t easy. My academic journey has been anything but traditional. Just before the internship started, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis Stage 3. It was a condition that had already spread quickly and it was a diagnosis that turned my world upside down. There were days I questioned whether I should continue school or this internship at all. Other times giving up felt like the easier option.

Even before my diagnosis, I often felt disconnected from the marine field, not because I didn’t care about the ocean, but because I rarely saw people with similar health issues or medical challenges in those spaces. I used to think that there was only one type of person who could work in the marine field, which I once believed was someone who had a very specific scientific path that was free of obstacles and detours. That feeling itself became its own kind of barrier to me. 

That experience reminded me that access, whether it’s access to education, opportunities, or even the ocean isn’t just logistics. Sometimes it’s about the story. That’s why the Ocean Access Project focuses on who feels welcome at the ocean, who has the tools or time to get there, and who has historically been left out of these conversations.

During our training in Santa Barbara, everything changed. I was introduced to a side of conservation I had never seen before. One that was centered around people, communities, and access. I never imagined that social science would play a huge role in regards to ocean conservation. Anytime I thought of career pathways related to the ocean I would think of oceanographers or marine biologists. 

The Ocean Access Project gave me the opportunity to explore these topics. It showed me that advocacy, storytelling, and research focused on community needs are just as important. Alongside Jasmine, who also worked on the project as an intern for the San Diego County region, we had the opportunity to attend events hosted by local organizations to talk directly with the community. We conducted surveys at piers, parks, and beaches, connecting with all types of people. What stood out to me the most was how many people were genuinely excited about the project. They felt safe enough to open up about their own experiences and feelings about how much the ocean meant to them in regards to their cultural values, family traditions, and identities without feeling judged. 

As someone who has navigated health issues, academic challenges, and a lack of representation, I began to see how my story and many others were important for this project. Our personal stories are powerful tools for change, it can help with opening doors and creating opportunities for all people to enjoy access to the ocean while protecting it.

Working with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation didn’t just change my career trajectory, it changed how I see others and myself. I no longer feel like I have to fit into a narrow definition of what it means to work in the marine field. Instead, I can carve out a path that combines science, empathy, and social awareness. I’m grateful to be part of the Ocean Access Project and excited to keep learning, growing, and finding new ways to make a difference in ocean conservation.