Liz Mercure
Divemaster
Georgia Aquarium
Atlanta, GA USA
“Don’t let your job take over your life, but if you don’t care [about your job] you won’t get ahead.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationLiz Mercure
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Attended Georgia State University (GSU) during her sophomore and junior years, but admits she changed her major several times because she had no idea what she wanted to do.
She moved to Colorado for a year to figure it out—discovered her love of writing and communications after taking a film class.
Says Colorado’s party atmosphere was a distraction, so she moved back to Georgia to buckle down and finish school; she graduated from GSU with her degree in communications.
During her last quarter at GSU, she learned to dive, which became a lifelong hobby.
In 1982, two weeks after graduating, she got hired at the newly formed news network, CNN—they trained her how to be a video journalist, editor, and producer.
Worked for CNN for over 25 years, rising in the ranks to become the senior supervising producer in charge of the newsroom.
After leaving CNN, she wanted something different to do, so she took her diving experience and began volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium cleaning exhibits.
She later received her Divemaster certification and was hired full time by the aquarium.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Certification/License
Diver, Professional and Instructor
National Association of Underwater Instructors
Diver, Professional and Instructor
National Association of Underwater Instructors
Career
Divemaster
I take people swimming and diving with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Journalism
Action Sports
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
I help set up the equipment that our guests will use while diving. I put on a wetsuit and climb into an underwater playground with over 6000 fish, including 4 whale sharks and 4 giant manta rays.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Get experience in your chosen field as soon as possible.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You can't keep bouncing around, pick something!"
Challenges I Overcame
School Stress
Interviewed By
Georgia State University Roadtrip
Georgia State University students and alumni
