BIS in Individualized Study

Michael Carr, 2021

Michael Carr is currently working to complete his BIS degree in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation in the Spring of 2021. After completing his associate degree at Northern Virginia Community College in 2015 he transferred to George Mason University in 2017 to participate in the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. Since starting his undergraduate educational journey almost 10 years ago, he realizes now that taking the long road can lead to unexpected clarity in defining who you are and what professional career will bring the most satisfaction. His varied professional experiences and education have taken him from humble beginnings in rural Virginia across the country to perform behavioral surveys on white-crowned sparrows in San Francisco and abroad to participate in archaeological excavations in Italy. Following his graduation from the BIS program, Michael is seeking to advance his career in entomology, where he hopes to build onto his BIS project researching Virginia stag beetles. 

His previous work experiences include working as a contractor within several departments of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and as a field technician with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). He is incredibly grateful for these opportunities that have helped cultivate his worldview and skill set, which he hopes to put to good use in his personal and professional advancements. A firm believer in volunteerism, Michael works actively as a Virginia Master naturalist in his local natural area preserve removing invasive species and creating social media content for the public. He believes the BIS program is one of the greatest strengths of George Mason University, which embraces the unique blend of career professionals, ideologies, and backgrounds to produce a truly interdisciplinary program.