Her Story
About Sofia
Sofia Aras is a field biologist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. In this role, she monitors surface and groundwater as well as lakes and rivers across the region by recording and collecting parameters such as temperature, pH, and concentration of ions. This work supports informed decisions about protecting, managing, and restoring water resources. She previously served as an environmental specialist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Aras graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, in December 2024 with double majors in marine biology and environmental science and a minor in business administration. She is scuba dive certified, which supports her fieldwork, and she received the Hansen Scholars Award during her senior capstone project, allowing her to conduct her own research. Her background in marine biology and environmental science informs her contributions to environmental management and conservation efforts.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sofia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I honestly would attribute my success to my family. My parents are two of the most hard-working people that I know. As immigrants from Bolivia and Mexico, they worked incredibly hard to provide for me and my sister, to be able to give us the opportunities and dream bigger and strive to be better. So everything that I have accomplished is because of them and for them. Their sacrifices, perseverance, and their unwavering belief in us have shaped who I am, and continue to motivate me every day. I carry their story and rallies with me in everything that I do, and I definitely hope that my accomplishments honor all that they have done for our family.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I would say that I've ever received is to never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, and to always keep learning, because growth comes from experience, from taking chances, and even from making mistakes, because every challenge and setback is an opportunity to learn, improve, and just become better at what you do in the long run.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to never doubt yourself, and never be afraid to take up space. Believe in your abilities, trusting your voice, and do not let fear or self-doubt keep you from pursuing opportunities that may seem far-fetched. We have one life, and you deserve to, just as much as anyone else, to chase your goals and create meaningful change and make a difference. So, be confident in who you are, know your worth, and never apologize for wanting to do something different and be different.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is considering our planet's current condition, and just the fact that resources won't be limitless in the future due to climate change. Deepening droughts and changing precipitation patterns, melting glaciers, increasing sea levels, are decreasing our access to clean drinking water throughout mechanisms, including saltwater intrusion and higher contamination risks. There are a lot of opportunities, whether it be in the marine field or environmental.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me personally and professionally are leading with love and humility. I believe that everything that I have accomplished has been made possible through the support, sacrifices, and example of others. I am especially grateful for my family, whose perseverance and strong work ethic and gratefulness shaped the person that I am today, so I carry those values with me in every aspect of my life. To lead with compassion, remain humble, and just never lose sight of the people who have helped me along the way.
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