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!