Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arin Plummer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Arin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
I remember being a small child when one day my mom takes me to SeaWorld. Out of all the things my tiny brain could remember the largest creature that captured my mind fully that till this day it changed my life. It was a beautiful killer whale. I begged my mom to get me an interaction with this magnificent creature. Tiny little me, wanting to touch the largest animal there. Once it was my turn, unfortunately the whale no longer wanted to do interactions. In that time being just a child I did not understand; and that day I swore to myself that I would work with animals. Once I became of age, around 15 years old I started volunteering at my home town zoo. The Memphis zoo is where all the beauty began. I started out working at the stingray touch tank, who doesn’t love stingrays but funny fact I use to be afraid of stingrays. Especially growing up with Steve Irwin as my idol, everyone knows that unfortunate story. I saw people in the tank with the stingray and they weren’t afraid and I wanted to be like them. I soon realized any fear I had, I would soon have to get over it, if I wanted to work with animals I would have to be brave.
After volunteering at the zoo for a couple years it was time for college. I remember seeing a college brochure for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the biggest thing on the flyer was the gorgeous water front Tennessee Aquarium. That’s all I needed to see. I told my family, “That’s where I’m going!”, and I am going to be a marine scientist. As a young black girl my mom always prepared me for my dream. I knew it would be hard. I moved to Chattanooga and shortly after started working at the aquarium. At this point I am on a mission. I started off in guest services but I quickly started working with penguins at the aquarium. I use to watch the divers in the tank on my lunch break and never not once did I ever see any black divers. I worked with the lead aquarist and he really took me under his wing. I was a full time biology student, working full time at the aquarium and learning about what it takes to make my dreams come true. It’s really expensive to get a scuba certification so I had to save up and work extra hard to get it over the years of being in college. I also wanted to be a research scientist and swim with animals and I had a research trip coming up for school so I had to get my certification. A year before graduation college I traveled to Florida to get my 3 open water dives over the course of a week. I got my passport to go out of the country to do research and within a couple of months I was out of Tennessee, in another country living out my dreams.
Swimming underwater is like being in another world. We’re not meant to be down there we stand out so much. The first time being in the middle of the ocean was very humbling. I was so far from everything I knew and every time I looked around I was the only person that looked like me. A young black girl, I had to be brave and fearless just like every other time. I was so quiet riding into the open waters while everyone else was laughing and had no care in the world. It was actually storming that day. We were riding into a store to dive in the open waters. I was shaking in my wet suit. Once we arrive and I take my first plunge into the open waters and it was so freeing. Also the number one rule when being in the water is to NOT panic. I start going underwater and the blue is endless and the coral reefs bigger than the tallest towers is breath taking. The fish were just as curious as me. I felt like one of them, one fish even. I love exploring and its so easy to get lost in the deep blue sea. I remember finally coming to the surface and just being in wow! It was raining when I got out the surface and from down below you would have never known. It was so peaceful. I sat on the back of the boat in the rain just so happy and lucky, smiling all the way back to land, sinking in every moment.
After that trip I came back, graduated college and moved straight to Arizona where I trained sea lions. Then covid happened and all the fun had to come to a stand still but I have always been very happy and blessed. I prayed on it and when the time lock down was over I had 3 really big job offers. Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando, and Seaquest. I picked Seaquest because I had never built an aquarium before. Throughout trial and tribulations I became the marine lead at the aquarium. I also started creating content during that time and I blew up. I am so happy and blessed to be where I am but more is coming to the world. I love to educate and soon I will be connecting animals with people from all over and sharing it with the world. I am so passionate about what I do and I love to see people love the creatures and this planet that God made for us. Swimming in Color is my small business teaching people of all color and ages how to swim and connect with the water and Mermaid Tells is my upcoming YouTube channel that will go into detail about my life as a black marine biologist with special guest of course from some amazing animals and influential people in my area. I am on a mission. I have been my whole life. I won’t stop and I love and appreciate all the support from my fin gang! I want to spread knowledge and love to everyone.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a certified scuba diver and I love to connect people with water and teach people how to swim. You can book a private lesson with me via Instagram. I also have an upcoming YouTube called mermaid Tells, if you want to be a guest on the show you can email me via Instagram as well. Also check out my personal page where you can find the links to my business pages @simply_arin
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
If you are a person of color especially going into the marine scientist field you have to be brave and resilient. Don’t be afraid to stand out and learn and grow from the people around you. Know that you belong and to never let society deter you from your dreams.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Absolutely, I love animals. I love walking into work and taking care of all my babies. I love growing relationships with beautiful very large animals. It’s thrilling, I feel alive and very connected to the planet. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: simply_arin
- Linkedin: Arin Plummer
- Youtube: Mermaid Tells