Beyond the Bottom Line: Finding Purpose in the Ocean

I used to measure success in cost savings and efficiency gains. My days were spent analyzing data, reassuring stakeholders, and ensuring goods moved smoothly from point A to point B. It was a career that made sense on paper – stable, well-paying, and rewarding. But over time, I started to feel a disconnect. I couldn’t shake the question: what impact am I actually making?

That question nagged at me, growing louder with each passing month. Then, in 2023, I decided to take a break. I left my corporate job and spent time traveling abroad, hoping to learn about myself and the world around me. Along the way, I explored the oceans I had only seen in documentaries, earning scuba diving certifications and witnessing firsthand the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems.

Underwater, I found the passion I had been searching for and the clarity I had been chasing. Everywhere I looked, there was vibrant life. Schools of fish wove effortlessly through the water. Occasionally, one would stop to acknowledge me before continuing on its way. Corals, anemones, starfish, crabs, and urchins adorned the ocean floor, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of color and movement.

I felt such a connection to everything around me, like I was a part of it. I wasn’t just observing nature – I was immersed in it, welcomed by it. It made me question the role we choose to play in the natural world. Do we have to remain outsiders and disruptors? Or could we begin to see ourselves as part of a larger environmental community, with the responsibility to protect it?

Unfortunately, our impact so far has been detrimental. Coral reefs, which support 25% of all marine life, are bleaching and dying due to human-caused issues like acidification and rising ocean temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that up to 90% of our coral reefs could disappear by 2050 if current trends continue. Key species are losing their habitats, shellfish can no longer form their shells, and populations are at risk of extinction from overfishing.

Our oceans are suffering, and we can’t afford to let that happen. Aside from being beautiful and full of fascinating life, the ocean supports humanity. It regulates our climate, produces oxygen, and provides food security for billions of people. It’s not enough to admire the ocean, we must act to protect it.

I am now a graduate student studying Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. In other words, how we govern, protect, and sustainably manage the ecosystems that exist in our oceans and where land meets sea. I’m learning about how we can build policies and practices that work with nature rather than against it.

Unlike my corporate career, where efficiency was the goal, this new path is filled with ambiguity and open-ended questions. The transition hasn’t been easy. It’s daunting to step away from a familiar world into one where outcomes are harder to measure and career paths are less defined. But I’ve also realized something crucial: my experience in the corporate world wasn’t wasted time, it was preparation.

Strategic thinking, managing complexity, and building partnerships are skills just as essential in conservation as they are in business. Professionals across traditional industries are uniquely equipped to take on environmental work, and shifting careers can lead to deeper meaning. That feeling I had underwater, of being part of something larger and worth protecting, is what continues to guide me.

Ultimately, the crises we face – rising temperatures, pollution, biodiversity loss – affect every single one of us, whether we realize it or not. Addressing them, protecting the systems that sustain life, should be an urgent global priority.

Healing the environment isn’t the job of scientists alone; there are broad, collective efforts to conserve and restore natural ecosystems. These efforts need storytellers to shift public opinion, analysts to track progress, economists to shape financial strategies, and policymakers to drive systemic change. In other words, they need people from every profession. They need you.

Critics of leaving corporate life may argue that stepping away from stability is a reckless move, one that sacrifices financial security and career progression. There’s some truth in that concern. But what’s often overlooked is the cost of staying: stagnation, disillusionment, and the feeling of contributing to something that no longer aligns with who you are.

Maybe the ocean isn’t your thing, and that’s okay. Our parks, forests, rivers, and wetlands need just as much attention. The skills, passion, and urgency required to protect each of these places are the same. What matters is choosing to engage, wherever your connection to the natural world lies.

Of course, not everyone can pivot careers, but purpose can also be found in staying. It can be found in pushing for sustainable practices, launching green initiatives, and advocating for policy changes within your company. You can also volunteer with, or donate to, environmental groups. Every action matters. Whether it’s by changing careers or embedding sustainability into your current role, you can be part of the solution.

If you’re seeking inspiration, just look around. I’ve found mine in countless people who work tirelessly and selflessly to protect our planet. One of the most meaningful moments of my journey so far was meeting Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony, and having the chance to personally thank her. Though our exchange was brief, it left a lasting impression.

Dr. Earle has been a trailblazer in ocean exploration and conservation for decades. Her advocacy, research, and storytelling helped shape how the world sees and values the ocean. She is a personal hero of mine, and a reminder that change can begin with a single person. People like Dr. Earle, and so many others, prove that one voice, one career, one commitment can ripple outward and make waves. I’ve already experienced so many moments that reaffirm my passion for this work, and I know more inspiration lies ahead to keep me moving forward.

To anyone feeling stuck or unfulfilled, do yourself a favor and ask: does your current path align with your values? Does it make you proud? The world needs people who understand both business and sustainability, who can bridge the gap between commerce and conservation.

When I think about my future now, I feel incredibly optimistic. The challenges in protecting our ocean are enormous, but so are the opportunities. My journey is still unfolding, but for the first time in my career I know I’m moving in the right direction.

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About the Author

McKenzie Ploen is a graduate student in Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and a
former corporate supply chain strategist. She writes about sustainability, purpose-driven work,
and marine conservation.