Monique Arsenault is a marine observer with a background in biomedical science. Born in April, she grew up in Pelham, New Hampshire, near the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. Both sides of her family hail from Canada, with her maternal grandparents working in mills and factories in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and her paternal family originating from Prince Edward Island. Arsenault's interest in marine biology began in college, where she initially majored in the subject before switching to a broader biomedical science degree. After graduating, she worked at Normandeau Associates, where she spent forty hours a week working with a microscope. This experience sparked her desire to work in the field, leading her to apply for a position as a marine observer. She completed her observer training in December 2018 and has since been working on the water, sampling fish, and observing marine life.

Scope and Content Note
This oral history interview with Monique Arsenault, conducted by Sarah Weeks on January 10, 2023, provides insight into Arsenault's personal and professional life. The interview begins with a discussion of Arsenault's family history, including her French-Canadian heritage and her family's work history. Arsenault then discusses her educational background, her initial interest in marine biology, and her decision to switch to a biomedical science degree. She also talks about her first job at Normandeau Associates and how this experience led her to pursue a career as a marine observer. The interview also covers Arsenault's observer training, which she completed in December 2018, and her experiences working on the water. The interview provides a detailed account of Arsenault's journey to becoming a marine observer and her experiences in the field.