G rowing up in South Jersey, surrounded by the Pinelands, lakes and ocean, Jessica Radich ‘15 spent her youth outdoors. She developed an appreciation for the natural beauty in the world that set her on a course to study how she could protect and conserve these wonders.

Radich earned her degree in Marine Science in 2015 and is a fish biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery in Georgia.

As the lead biologist at the Gopher Tortoise Head-Start Program, Gopher Frog Recovery Program and Freshwater Mussel Program, Radich uses hatchery propagation—or breeding—for the recovery and restoration of fish and wildlife species in their native habitat.

Some of the species she commonly works with are lake sturgeon, alligator gar, sicklefin redhorse, smallmouth bass, gulf striped bass and hybrid bass. 

She is also a part of the USFWS Regional Dive Unit, which allows her to use her SCUBA certification, which she obtained at age 13, for a multitude of restoration efforts across the southeast.

Stockton played a big role in Radich’s career success.

“I chose Stockton because it was environmentally focused and in a prime location for studying marine science. The Marine Field Station and labs were perfect, and classes were intimate, so I didn't get lost in a crowd,” she said.

“The hands-on labs were invaluable for my career. Learning from a book or in a lecture hall is important, but it can only get you so far in a field that requires hands-on practical execution of work,” said Radich, who was also a four-year member of the Track and Field team while at Stockton.

“These smaller classes provided close working relationships with my professors,” she said, in particular Professor Emeritus Matthew Landau, who she credits with inspiring her to pursue aquaculture. “My first internship and first job in the marine science field were landed by talking with my professors. Both of these jobs were key stepping stones in my career path to where I am today with USFWS.”

Radich said she would not change a single thing about her journey. Every twist and bend in her path had led her to an amazing career and she remains excited for what is to come next. 

One of her most meaningful experiences has been watching baby tortoises hatch from eggs, helping them grow for years, and releasing them back into the wild. That experience is something she will always cherish. “Being able to produce an at-risk species at the hatchery, release it into the wild, and later see that species thriving in its natural habitat when you return to monitor them is the most rewarding feeling.”

Radich describes her career as, “a turtle-y awesome job! Every day is new and exciting and filled with incredible species and people passionate about their conservation.”

She aims to inspire others to pursue conservation careers. Her advice for current and future students interested in a similar career path is to “do what you will love doing for the rest of your life and not based on a career with better pay. Being passionate and satisfied with your career choice is so much more rewarding.

“If you're pursuing a career in the environmental, wildlife, aquatic or related field, get out there and volunteer, get internships, jobs or any kind of work to get hands-on experience early on and set yourself apart,” Radich said.