Dieuwertje (DJ) Kast
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
My name is Dieuwertje Kast and I was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I’ve moved over 14 times, 7 times between the Netherlands and the United States.
Education:
I LOVE what I am doing now. I was originally trained as a marine biologist and ocean educator and I do love the STEM concepts behind the ocean, which I incorporate into many of my lesson plans.
My family has always incorporated and supported my interest in science. My father is a HPV induced cervical cancer researcher and for many years my mother was the lab manager of his lab. High school was a
Internships/ volunteering
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am the STEM program manager for the USC Joint Educational Project. On a daily basis, I provide support and materials for my STEM educators in both my Wonderkids and Young Scientist Program and many times I write curriculum to prepare for future weeks or semesters.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is my job. Many of the lessons that I wrote I have experienced in the passed as a STEM student and I use it everyday.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Advice: Be Yourself, Be Passionate in your field, and be an advocate for yourself and others.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
The work and personal life balance is a particularly hard one for me because I take a lot of work home with me. Thankfully, my job allows for some flexibility with scheduling and that has been a life-saver for my personal life and my hefty 100 mile round trip commute.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Passion and authenticity I think are the personality traits that are universally important for a successful career.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I have had many mentors throughout the many stages of my life. My AP Bio teacher Patty Compeau originally inspired me to go into science education by having me join Oxy-Science bridges, and has continued to support until now almost 10 years later.
My ocean education mentors: Lynn Whitley, Linda Chilton, Terri Bidle, Lorraine Sadler (This list is much longer). These women are all amazing and they show me how ocean education can be done at a professional level. They always support and guide me, provide me with lesson plan ideas, resources, opportunities, and connections. They are all amazing and I don’t know where I would be without them.
8. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Always try something new, you never know where that path may lead you.
My name is Dieuwertje Kast and I was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I’ve moved over 14 times, 7 times between the Netherlands and the United States.
Education:
- I have three degrees from the University of Southern California.
- Bachelors of Biology and Minor in Non-profits, Philanthropy and Volunteerism.
- Masters in Marine Environmental Biology
- Masters of Arts and Teaching with a Single Subject Science Credential.
I LOVE what I am doing now. I was originally trained as a marine biologist and ocean educator and I do love the STEM concepts behind the ocean, which I incorporate into many of my lesson plans.
My family has always incorporated and supported my interest in science. My father is a HPV induced cervical cancer researcher and for many years my mother was the lab manager of his lab. High school was a
Internships/ volunteering
- Research docent at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
- COSIA Intership at the Aquarium of the Pacific
- Heal the Bay Stream Team volunteer- doing water quality analysis of Malibu waters.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am the STEM program manager for the USC Joint Educational Project. On a daily basis, I provide support and materials for my STEM educators in both my Wonderkids and Young Scientist Program and many times I write curriculum to prepare for future weeks or semesters.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is my job. Many of the lessons that I wrote I have experienced in the passed as a STEM student and I use it everyday.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Advice: Be Yourself, Be Passionate in your field, and be an advocate for yourself and others.
5. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
The work and personal life balance is a particularly hard one for me because I take a lot of work home with me. Thankfully, my job allows for some flexibility with scheduling and that has been a life-saver for my personal life and my hefty 100 mile round trip commute.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Passion and authenticity I think are the personality traits that are universally important for a successful career.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I have had many mentors throughout the many stages of my life. My AP Bio teacher Patty Compeau originally inspired me to go into science education by having me join Oxy-Science bridges, and has continued to support until now almost 10 years later.
My ocean education mentors: Lynn Whitley, Linda Chilton, Terri Bidle, Lorraine Sadler (This list is much longer). These women are all amazing and they show me how ocean education can be done at a professional level. They always support and guide me, provide me with lesson plan ideas, resources, opportunities, and connections. They are all amazing and I don’t know where I would be without them.
8. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Always try something new, you never know where that path may lead you.
