How taking time for CPD changed the course of my career (twice)
Finn van der Aar FIMarEST, a marine mammal specialist, explains how CPD gave her the boost she needed to return to work after starting a family, as well as opening doors she was not expecting.
For many years I loved working as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO). I enjoyed the camaraderie of industry work and getting to know the rotating teams of engineers, drillers, environmental scientists, and site crew.
What I valued most was the opportunity for long-term mitigation work, observing the same populations over extended periods (mainly grey and harbour seals, with the occasional common dolphin) and earning a sustainable income.
That changed five years ago when I became pregnant with my daughter. It quickly became clear I would have to step back from MMO work, at least temporarily. This was because the OEUK (Offshore Energies UK) medical guidelines disqualify pregnant individuals from offshore work from 24 weeks and, even before that, deployment is strongly discouraged.
In port construction, there is little to no specific guidance available for pregnant MMOs, and as most MMOs are self-employed contractors working through agencies, the usual obligations for employers to conduct risk assessments or offer modified duties don't apply.
The result? You’re simply out of work. While I was able to pivot into project management and consulting, it made me reflect on the quiet, but significant, barriers women face in the marine sector, especially those outside larger organisations. It’s a conversation I’d really like to see happening in the coming years.
Returning to the field
When my daughter started school, I felt the draw to return to fieldwork and saw Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as the perfect route to refresh my knowledge, get up to date with current legislation, and upskill.
So, I travelled to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, to take part in an ACCOBAMS-certified MMO (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) operator course - a brilliant course delivered by Marine Mammals Research Association, Turkey (DMAD) representatives Dr Aylin Akkaya and Patrick Lyne of Manada Environmental.
Admittedly, I was apprehensive. After years away from the field, I worried I’d be the oldest attendee among a cohort of fresh-faced graduates. Instead, I found a wonderfully diverse group. There were trainees from around the world and across all stages of their careers, from graduates to seasoned professionals (including fellow parents) and even one retiree looking for something new.
It was an incredible week, including many successful days at sea, sighting orca, blue and humpback whales (to name but a few), and listening to dolphin whistles and clicks in real time through the hydrophone. We also learned to process and analyse our acoustic data and map our study sites using QGIS software.
Taking a week (or more) out for CPD is no small feat, with costs in time, money, and being away from family and work. But whether you're entering a profession, pivoting mid-career, upskilling, or returning after a break, it can be one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your future.
Looking back, moving forward
I now see how much taking small chunks of time out for CPD courses has had a major impact across the lifespan of my career, from my first Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) course in 2017, which brought me into the marine construction industry, to the MMO and Passive Acoustic Monitor Operator course.
Undertaking the course brought me up to date in my field, allowing me to gain a new qualification. But even more importantly, giving me the opportunity to expand my network, get inspiration and understand what was possible for the next stage of my career.
One year on from the course, I'm about to embark on a PhD project. For over 12 years I'd considered PhD options, keeping a file on my computer where I'd slowly been developing the idea. However, last year's course gave me the missing pieces of the puzzle.
Now I'm starting a PhD using the lens of marine mammal acoustic data collection to explore marine wildlife tourism can better support conservation, scientific data collection and transitioning coastal communities (specifically those traditionally dependent on small-scale inshore fisheries). I'll also publish my first peer reviewed paper on the idea, in the next month or so.
It feels particularly fitting that the CPD I'd hoped would help me return to fieldwork, in fact gave my brain the space and inspiration to finish developing my own line of research, bringing me back full circle to academia after over a decade away.
I really hope that other people returning to work after a break consider CPD as way to re-enter the workforce or gain new inspiration.
