Careers in Marine Biology

 

There are two distinct paths that can be taken in the field of marine science:

• To educate and teach at a non-profit organization like the Marine Science Instiute, at a high school, or university
• To enter the research field

   

  Some university faculty members do both successfully. The following information describes the qualifications typically needed for each pathway.

   

  MARINE SCIENCE EDUCATOR

   

  Various 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.

   

  MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCHER

   

  Again 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.

   

  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!

 

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.

 

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. MSI is one of the few marine biology oriented job sites in the Bay Area. The Institute provides a unique stepping stone for college graduates interested in marine biology who may have not yet decided which of the two directions to take, education or research.
• 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.

 

GOOD LUCK!