Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Sides
Hi Ariel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a child, growing up in San Diego, my parents would take me to Seaworld often. I became obsessed with the ocean and everything living in it. It always felt like home. I decided at the age of seven that I wanted to make it a career.
Moving to northern Mississippi as a teenager put a damper on that dream for a while, so I focused on writing. I won several contests for poetry and creative writing and consistently made honor roll, even being inducted into the National Honor Society.
I started college at the University of Memphis at 16, but at 16, I had no business being on a university campus. I was more interested in partying and boys and less about school. I really lost myself for a while.
At 19, I met my husband and immediately knew I was going to marry him. From the moment we met, we were inseparable. We were married on April 2nd, 2011 and welcomed a son in November that same year. After Lucas was born, I knew I wanted to stay at home with him and focus on being a mother while he was little. Two years later, we welcomed a baby girl, Luci Rae, and our family was complete. I stayed at home with the kids while they were little, even operating a daycare from home for a while so I could have an income but still be with them.
In 2015 we moved back to San Diego and, with the kids starting school that following year, I was able to go back to school, myself, and focus on my childhood dream. I attended Mesa college there, and my husband worked full time while I would drive for Uber and Lyft part time and attend classes full time.
Throughout my education, we moved around several more times, some for personal reasons, others for his work. We ended up living in eight different states, as well as Mexico. Traveling like that was incredible but, it did, however, cause my education to be spread out and delayed.
During that time, I would start my book about my experiences as a female rideshare driver, have two articles published, and move one more time, to Maine.
Once in Maine, I applied for a job with a contractor for NOAA as a marine biologist. I never actually thought I would get very far, but I DID IT! I got the job, and completed my certification and safety training in April. Now I’m a marine biologist at sea, monitoring ground fish populations in the North Atlantic, and I am so proud to have accomplished my childhood goal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m No. Not at all. I fought tooth and nail to get my education. Between the moving, having a young family, financial and marital struggles and the logistics of it all, none of it was easy. I just knew what I wanted and I knew no one else was going to make it happen for me so I stuck with it, regardless of the setbacks and naysayers.
It’s STILL not easy. Fortunately, I have an irreplaceable, amazing husband who supports me and two beautiful kids who understood this was my dream and, after many struggles, got to see mom make it. That’s the best part!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a government contractor for NOAA. I monitor ground fish populations off the northeastern coast of the U.S. I take trips from various ports from Maine down to Virginia, on commercial fishing vessels and I collect data on their kept and discarded catch, as well as handle and report any incidental intakes, such as marine mammals or sea turtles.
I have also been working on my first book for about a year now, and have two other published interviews. I hope to finish my book this year, if time allows, and start a second one, loosely based on my life.
I think I’m most proud of working for NOAA in general. It took me longer than most to get here and I’m so proud that I didn’t give up. I’ve had some really low moments, so I’m proud that I pressed on.
I’m also really proud of my family and family life; how far we’ve come, in spite of my new career. I think the world can be really cruel to mothers who choose to work AND raise a family; especially in a career that takes me offshore frequently. I’m proud of how we’ve all adjusted and made it all work. My family is my greatest joy, no matter how much I love the ocean.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My inbox is always open to suggestions, support, ideas, complaints, or collaborations. [email protected].
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Image Credits
Dennis Sides