Lucy Bentsen, having grown up along the Washington coast, has always found comfort in the ocean. This naturally led to a developed passion for the environment and marine life. With support from her family, Bentsen took up marine diving and scuba in high school, and hasn’t looked back since. She is graduating from Cal Poly this spring with a degree in marine sciences.
Bentsen has absolutely thrived under Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach, citing “hands-on work” as important to both her personal and career development. During her time at Cal Poly, she has gotten her scientific diving certification, worked with a marine mammal rehabilitation organization in Morro Bay and has researched harbor and elephant seal populations.
Post-grad, Lucy has an internship lined up this summer in Seattle. She will be assisting local rehabilitation and rescue efforts (while also diving in her free time), building off of her prior experience in the field. After that, grad school is the plan. With her impressive combination of knowledge, skill and motivation, she is well-equipped to make a positive impact wherever she goes.
One word that best describes you: Energetic
One thing you would bring to a deserted island: Chapstick, specifically Nivea brand (with sunscreen!)
Your future plans: Marine rescue/rehabilitation and marine diving
One object you can’t do your job without: Binoculars
A Cal Poly class that shaped your life: MSCI 300, Marine Ecology
Q and A:
Sarah Jagielski: What inspired you to pursue this career in marine science and diving?
Lucy Bentsen: I grew up near the Puget Sound in Washington, my family had a cabin in the South Sound. I’ve always just loved the ocean, loved the water. I remember visiting [Cal Poly] for the first time, going to Avila Beach and looking out at the pier. Diving-wise, my dad’s a diver. I got my open water diving certification in high school. Once I knew I wanted to do marine science in the future, I thought diving would be fun and also helpful for my career.
SJ: What kind of impact would you like to make?
LB: I want to work in marine ecology and conservation. Something that interests me a lot right now is kelp forest restoration with diving. I’m still figuring out exactly where in the field I’d like to be, but I would love to use my diving.
SJ: What are you the most passionate about in marine science?
LB: I think just being able to contribute to ocean conservation and protection. It really serves us in so many ways, such as climate mitigation or storm protection. Preserving the ocean is important for the sake of all the living things in it, and also for everybody getting to visit and see its beauty.
SJ: What else have you been involved with on campus?
LB: I was a WOW leader my second year, that was a lot of fun. I’m also in charge of a Scuba club. It’s a local club, but mostly Cal Poly students.
SJ: Do you ever hope to do work outside of the West Coast, or internationally?
LB: I would consider it for a couple years, but I do love the West Coast so I think I’ll end up settling somewhere [here], for sure. That’s also where I’m going to focus my applications for grad school. In grad school, I’ll be focusing on marine ecology or general marine biology.
For the final Peak issue this year, the Peak team chose to hold exit interviews with nine students on the horizon of impact. Whether it’s going pro in a less-than usual sport, starting a cheesecake business or transforming the music marketing scene, nine seniors in the class of 2026 stood out as those led by influence. Check out the rest of the features here.