Steps
- Test out the field by taking an entry level job or internship. Many people who believe they want to be marine biologists change their minds after some time in the field. Entry level positions might include:
- Field research assistant
- Aquarium worker
- Sailor
- Look for specialties . Are you interested in fish? Coral? Whales? Sea slugs? Would you like to be stationed in the Arctic? The Bahamas? The North Pacific? Would you rather work from shore? In a zoo? On the open sea?
- Acquire relevant skills , such as diving, small boat handling, or wilderness first aid.These additional skills make you a more desirable job candidate.
- Get academic credentials . Even if you don't plan to have an academic career, you'll need at least a master's degree in the field. Fields to consider:
- Marine Ecology
- Marine Biology
- Ichthyology
- Cytology
- Ornithology
- Aquarium Sciences
- Get research experience , which is critical to the hiring process.
- Make contacts with other people in the field. They can give you advice, help you with research, and tip you off to job openings.
Tips
- Take your personal preferences and physical limitations into account. For example, if you love sharks (an open ocean fish), but get terribly seasick, you might want to consider a career as a shark keeper at an aquarium instead of a researcher on the open sea.
Things You'll Need
- Persistence
- College education with an MA or PhD
- Love of marine science
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