Agastya Sharma: Leaning on your network to launch your ocean career
In today’s brutal job market, recent graduates are finding it harder than ever to break into their chosen fields. For Agastya Sharma, he knew that it would take more than just a degree to navigate this changing landscape. Instead, he leaned into his network and built a community through his connections. This people-first strategy paid off, landing him a job as the Senior Communications and Events Lead at DeepSense. Agastya’s story highlights how the right network can completely change the course of your professional career.
We recently sat down with Agastya to speak more about his career journey, the lessons he learned along the way, and his advice for the next generation of ocean professionals:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background
I was born in Delhi, India, and moved to Halifax in 2021 to pursue my undergraduate studies in marine science and statistics, graduating last year. I absolutely love the intersection of science and public policy. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I took part in internships and volunteer work that helped me develop my science communication skills. Outside of work and academia, I love baking, cooking, boxing, and going out.
What interested you in pursuing a career in your field?
Delhi is landlocked, but as a child, I would sometimes travel to coastal towns with my family, which I loved. Growing up, I thought about going to med school since I love biology, but it wasn’t until high school that I realized I could study marine sciences instead, so I moved across the world to pursue my dream with my family’s support. Since then, I’ve found a passion for science communication, and although I’m still trying to find my niche, I think I’ve come quite a ways since I was 18 – and still have a long way to go!
What was your job search like when you first graduated?
I graduated last year and heard how brutal the job search was from my peers, so I knew I had to be strategic. Instead of cold emailing and applying to hundreds of jobs, I tailored every application and made a point of reaching out to a recruiter or employee at each organization I applied to. I also leaned on the small but strong network I built during my undergrad, which got me good leads and advice until I eventually found my current job.
What challenges did you face when entering the workforce?
There are very scarce opportunities in the ocean sector, especially for recent grads. I was also an international student, which meant there were times I made it through multiple rounds and got verbal confirmation, only to have the offer rescinded on three separate occasions because most funding structures were allotted to domestic candidates. It was disheartening, since I’d been here for half a decade and felt I deserved access to the same opportunities. But I also understood that most jobs in the ocean sector sit within the federal government and require clearances, which narrowed the pool even further for me. So I made sure my applications were airtight and went above and beyond to prove I was a strong candidate on paper. It was brutal but succeeding was the only option!
You’ve attended the BFP H2O Career Connect Day for three consecutive years. What keeps bringing you back?
My first time attending H2O Career Connect Day was great! I got to meet people from all spheres and different stages of their professional lives, which made it a really valuable learning experience. I wanted to learn about the different career pathways in the ocean sector, since my exposure to the sector during undergrad was pretty limited, so this was a great way to close that gap. I loved hearing about everyone’s journeys. Not everyone had a linear path; everyone started somewhere different, but they all eventually found their passion in the ocean sector, which I found genuinely inspiring. That’s why I knew I had to keep coming back every year, to expand my network and my skillset.
As a young professional, what was the most valuable lesson you learned from attending H2O?
I had to learn to be my own biggest advocate. I realized I’d have to go above and beyond to find opportunities. Being relentless and staying my most authentic self has genuinely helped me connect with amazing people who continue to mentor and support me when I need it!
Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self at your first H2O Career Connect Day three years ago?
Do it even if you’re afraid of rejection and failure. Everyone in the room you’re stepping into was once where you are now, and they made it!
How did you find your current position at DeepSense?
I was actually an intern at DeepSense in May 2024 through COVE’s internship program, and stayed on part-time in communications through December 2024. Fast forward to June 2025, I was finishing my final courses and going on a bunch of coffee chats when I ran into my old team at The PIER. They happened to be hiring a Jr. Communications Specialist, and I was offered the job on the spot – talk about the right moment at the right time! I’ve since grown into the Senior Communications and Events Lead role, and most recently led the Ocean of Data Challenge, a national data science competition we ran with SailGP.
How did SOI’s Blue Futures Pathways support your career journey? What conversations, resources, or advice from the Blue Futures Pathways team stood out to you?
Career Connect Day showed me that soft skills matter just as much as technical skills, and in some cases, even more. I was told networking is integral to finding opportunities, and what stood out to me was realizing that networking is just a fancy word for building relationships with people. That was kind of a lightbulb moment for me. I’d been putting way too much pressure on “networking” and eased into it once I realized it’s really just talking to people, and I consider myself a professional yapper!
What kind of support do you think young professionals need to succeed in their career journey?
Jobs in the ocean sector aren’t just diving into the water, tagging sharks, or running data analysis. There’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes, and I think academia could do more to prepare young professionals for that side of the workforce. Research is fantastic, but there are just as many important roles in ocean science that don’t get talked about enough, including but also not limited to communications, business development, and program Management.
Any final words to the ocean community?
Academia is fun, and so is research, but there are so many other ways to get involved in the ocean sector and find your niche. People in this sector are some of the most helpful folks you’ll ever meet, and everyone genuinely wants you to succeed. Imposter syndrome is very real, but practically everyone has it and is still doing great things, so you’re not alone!
Agastya’s journey reminds us that you don’t have to navigate today’s job market on your own. Building up your network and finding like-minded peers is the most powerful tool available to unlock unexpected opportunities. If you’re ready to start building your own connections and discover where an ocean or water-related career can take you, follow the SOI Foundation on social media to stay updated on upcoming Blue Futures Pathways or ECOP Canada events. Most importantly, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect directly with us, our team is here to help you navigate the waters, just like we did with Agastya, and find your career pathway.