Why Pursuing a Career in Science was the Best Thing I Ever Did

Posted on February 10th, 2025

FBA Environment Project Officer Jodee Forbes has always been passionate about science and the environment.

After her three children had started school, Jodee too chose to hit the books and study a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Central Queensland University, saying “it was time to do something for myself”.

Jodee, who works with the FBA Waterway team, was 40 years old when she made the lifechanging decision to study higher education in 2020 after working in the hospitality industry for 26 years.

“I joined my passion for science and environment and that’s how I decided on the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree,” she said.

She says pursuing a career in science was “the best thing I ever did”.

Jodee joins more than 20 women at FBA who all share a passion for creating a more sustainable future.

In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, we are celebrating all our amazing women in science at FBA and highlighting Jodee, who started her career at FBA in 2024.

Here is a message from Jodee on what she loves about working at FBA and her advice for other women and girls who may be considering a career in science:

Jodee said she was “very thankful” to gain employment with FBA while finishing her degree, which she graduated with Distinction in 2024. “We have a really great team of like-minded people working for FBA in all different areas of science. It’s great to learn from them, especially other women in science. They’ve learnt a lot; they know a lot. As a team we can work together and make a more sustainable Fitzroy region,” she said.

Jodee is also a citizen scientist and volunteers for Team Turtle CQ, a citizen science marine monitoring program that relies on volunteers to record data on marine turtle nesting and hatching activity along the Capricorn and Curtis Coasts.

Click here to learn more about job opportunities at FBA.