Careers in Marine Science

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Careers in Marine Science

• Created by David Werner
• Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental
  Science

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What is Marine Science?

• The study of the ocean, its ecosystems, and life
  forms also called oceanography, oceanology

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So you want to be a Marine Scientist?

• You like to be outside, heard the oceans would
  feed the world, want to learn to SCUBA dive or
  communicate with dolphins. GREAT! You know what
  you like and have a direction in mind. But is
  Marine Science for you?

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"Will I get to work with dolphins or whales?"

• More often, this question is asked. The answer is
  probably not! Most people come into contact with
  marine animals at aquaria and theme parks, where
  they see some of the large, more glamorous
  animals that the seas have to offer. Television
  portrays marine biologists as divers searching
  for the mysteries of the deep or in a cage
  surrounded by sharks. The truth is that these are
  images of a small percentage of marine
  scientists.

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Disciplines

• Marine Biologist
• Oceanographer
• Environmental Scientist
• Fisheries Biologist/Management
• Marine Ecologist
• Veterinarian
• Aquaculturist
• Paleobiology
• Marine Geologist
• Ocean/Coastal Engineering
• Enforcement/Policy
• Marine Mammology
• Beach Erosion Prevention
• Naturalist

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What type of education is required?

• Marine biology is a graduate level pursuit, and
  so the first priority is to obtain a strong
  undergraduate major in biological sciences. If
  you already have a strong interest in fishes, or
  marine mammals, or ecology, etc., you will want
  to choose a college or university with some
  strength in those areas, and this can generally
  be gleaned from a reading of the catalog from
  virtually any school.
• Most major colleges and universities can provide
  a good basic biology preparation.
• Math through calculus, some statistics, and some
  computer science should also be included to round
  out the preparation in the major.

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Education continued

• Or, if your interest is in coastal ecology, the
  literature might lead to Dr. Paul Dayton at
  Scripps. Coral reef ecology would be Dr. John
  Ogden at Florida Atlantic, etc. If you are not
  sure of the specialty, then most schools with
  marine stations can provided coursework in
  general marine biology, and a specialty can be
  identified while working towards your Masters
  degree. Hopefully, a change of institution will
  not be required, but that's all right even if it
  is.
• For college teaching and/or being a chief
  research scientist, a doctoral degree is
  necessary. For teaching at the high school level,
  or at an aquarium, a Masters degree is
  sufficient. Being a lab technician is also
  possible with a Masters degree.
• As for job availability, it is difficult to
  predict for six or eight years from now. However,
  for anyone doing good strong academic work with a
  professor who is well known in the field, chances
  are good that something will shape up.

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MARINE SCIENCE EDUCATORVarious levels of
expertise exist for marine science educators

• Our Marine Science Educator program requires a
  person to be working toward any degree in
  college it requires a lot of background reading
  and research on marine ecosystems and requires
  energy, enthusiasm, and a strong interest in
  teaching students.
• Some teaching jobs require a formal science
  degree like biology or zoology, or any other
  -ology. Science instructors on our research
  vessel need this qualification.
• To teach marine biology in high school, you need
  a Bachelor of Science degree and a teaching
  credential.
• To teach at a junior college or university, you
  need at least a Master's degree in biology, or
  maybe even a Ph.D.

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MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCHERAgain many levels exist

• To be taken seriously by the research community,
  you will need to acquire at LEAST
• A Bachelor of Science (4-5 years)
• A Masters of Science (2-3 years)
• Next, you will need to write funding proposals
  for money to conduct a research project - unless
  you can support yourself.
• After conducting your research, you need to
  publish your results, making sure that everyone
  knows about the research you just did.
• To really advance in the research community, you
  will need a Ph.D. (at least 4-5 years). At that
  point, you will hopefully continue your research
  efforts and receive some recognition and funding
  to do future research projects.

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Other needed skills are

• Strong verbal communication and writing skills
  (you will be constantly writing grant proposals,
  research papers, reviewing papers from other
  researchers, and presenting your research results
  at professional conferences)
• An ability to act as a team member and a good
  group work ethic (many research projects today
  require collaboration with other researchers)
• A love for the environment, a strong commitment
  to the profession, and a sense of curiosity!

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HOW DO I GET THERE?

• Stay in School!
• concentrate on writing skills, math, and science
• Plan on Going to College!
• a college degree is the minimum requirement for
  most of these positions
• Volunteer for a summer in an internship program
• A summer internship is the best way to experience
  the field first hand to determine if this is the
  best field for you
• The internship will give you valuable on the job
  experience. When positions with marine science
  organizations become available, many employers
  look to fill it with trained individuals.
• Most employers today require work experience, as
  well as education. A college degree is sometimes
  not enough.

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WHAT ARE MY PROSPECTS FOR FINDING A JOB IN MARINE
BIOLOGY?

• Tough competition presently exists for jobs in
  marine biology. There a few jobs available and
  many people who want to fill them.
• Entering the field is a hard thing to do
  initially. Acquire as much volunteer and work
  experience in the field as you can. The more
  experience that you have, the greater the
  advantage you will have over competitors.
• To succeed as a marine researcher will take hard
  work, perseverance, and a competitive spirit -
  succeeding in this field is not easy - but can be
  extremely worthwhile!
• To succeed as a marine educator will take less
  schooling than a marine researcher, but the same
  requirements of hard work and a competitive
  spirit still apply.

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How Much Money Will I Make?

• Anywhere from 18,000-over 100,000 per year.
• Depends on education experience

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Conclusion

• Get a solid education
• Get lots of experience-volunteer
• You are most likely not going to be rich working
  as a marine scientist
• Good Luck

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Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental
Science

• Part of OCVTS
• Shared-Time and Full-Time opportunities
• Shared-Time
• Enter as junior or senior
• Courses Marine Science or Environmental Science
• Buses from home school for a 2 hour class
• A lot of work very intense
• Hands-on experience
• A great experience and a lot of fun!!!

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Questions for me???