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Food for thought|Marine Science

10 Jobs You Can Get With a Marine Biology Degree


The oceans — and everything they contain — are vast, and because of this, so are the jobs you can get with a marine biology degree.

Studying the world’s oceans and its inhabitants spans all sorts of scientific research and fields, and therefore can be applied to a wide range of industries and job titles.

If you’re considering a career as a marine biologist but are unsure what your job prospects will be, here are ten examples of cool jobs that you can get with a marine biology degree.

What jobs can you get with a marine biology degree?

The knowledge and skill sets gained with a marine biology degree are highly sought after and in demand everywhere from government agencies to universities.

We asked people who have worked in all sorts of jobs related to marine biology for their input, and here are just some of the marine biology jobs you can find.

1. Marine Biologist Research Assistant

Being a research assistant is a great starting role for marine biologists fresh from college. Usually working at universities with marine scientists, you can get hands-on experience in all areas of marine biology research like data analysis and even getting to do field work!

2. Fisheries Scientist

Studying how fisheries and aquaculture facilities interact with the surrounding environment is vital for the health of the fish, the ecosystem, and the humans who eventually eat the harvested marine life. It’s also a huge industry ranging from private enterprises to official government agencies, with plenty of demand. Working as a fisheries scientist, you help sustainably manage fish populations to keep them and the environment healthy.

3. Pharmacologist

The marine environment and marine organisms still hold all kinds of secrets, some of which could help humanity by curing diseases. Marine pharmacologists study and research marine life to help develop new medical treatments and drugs, making this a fun option for budding marine biologists who love a good hunt for buried treasure. Who knows what medical advances are waiting out there among the waves? Being part of the pharmaceutical industry, this field can also come with a hefty payday.

4. Marine Conservationist

If you entered the field of marine biology to figure out ways to help protect the world’s oceans from threats like climate change and human interference, a job in marine conservation is right up your alley. Marine conservationist job placements could be anywhere from NGOs to government offices and doing anything from tracking wildlife populations, to researching different types of plant and animal life, to monitoring marine environments for changes. You can even get involved in policy, working with NGOs and other stakeholders to lobby for stronger environmental protection laws and regulations.

5. Mapping and GIS Officer

If you love the more mathematical, technical side of the marine science world, you can work as a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) officer. Working at NGOs, government agencies, and other institutions, you can use geographic information systems to help improve our understanding of the ocean, from tracking population changes to monitoring habitat loss.

6. Horticulturist

Thanks to advances in research into marine plants like kelp and seaweed and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into biomass, this particular field of marine biology is primed to be a big deal in the coming years. Working as a horticulturist, you can research and better understand how kelp could aid us in tackling the climate crisis, help protect kelp forests, and even develop new biofuels.

7. Marine Veterinarian

Do you love animals? Do you love the ocean? Bring your two passions together and become a marine veterinarian. This fascinating field will have you working with all sorts of marine wildlife from dolphins to sea turtles to octopus. You can work at zoos and aquariums or work with wild animals through wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers, such as the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, FL.

8. Consultant

If you love problem-solving and constantly dealing with new challenges, you could consider being a marine consultant. In this position, companies will come to you for advice and guidance on different matters related to the ocean and marine biology. This could be anything from studying how a developing technology could impact marine ecosystems and wildlife to helping an organization reduce its environmental impact.

9. Field Guide

If you’re a people person who wants to get others as excited about the ocean as you are, you can use your expertise in marine biology to become a guide in the tourism industry. You can lead scuba-diving excursions, act as a naturalist guide in boat cruises, and more. Plus, a tourism job could take you all over the world, making it a great option for those with wanderlust.

10. Educator

Do you want to share your passion for the ocean with others? You can use your background in marine biology to become an educator. This could be anything from working as a professor or instructor at a college or university to working at aquariums, zoos, and museums. One day, you could even work aboard a Sea|mester ship, helping train and inspire the next generation of marine biologists!

Start your marine biology journey with Sea|mester

Remember: this is just the beginning of the diverse career roles you can strive towards as a marine biology major. Dip your toe into this vast world during an educational gap year sailing voyage with Sea|mester, spending weeks to months studying at sea while learning many essential marine biology skills like scuba diving.

You can also check out our other resources about marine biology to learn more about the field and the exciting opportunities it holds for adventurous, curious young scientists.

Mike Meighan is one of the co-founders of Seamester

About The Author – Mike Meighan

Experiential educator and adventurer, British-born Mike Meighan developed a love for the outdoor and underwater world at an early age. He sailed the Mediterranean before entering Southampton University in the UK where he earned a First Class Joint Honors degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology. In 1995, Mike joined the team as biologist, oceanographer and scuba instructor for ActionQuest, the teen sailing and scuba diving arm of Global Expeditions Group.

His passion for experiential education led to the development of our accredited college-level program Sea|mester in 1998 and GoBeyond in 2002. Mike sails with our largest programs in the BVI during the summer and, throughout the rest of the year, lives in Sarasota with his family Jo, Joshua and Kai, where he directs Sea|mester, ActionQuest and GoBeyond.

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