8 Reasons to Major in Marine Biology

For anyone who loves the ocean, being a marine biologist sounds like a dream job. But there are plenty of practical reasons to major in marine biology as well, like learning valuable STEM skills.

If you’re deciding on your college major and on the fence about a degree in marine biology, here are eight reasons why it’s a great career path.

Is marine biology a good major?

Why major in marine biology? Based on advice and insight from people who have actually worked in the field, here are eight great reasons why.

1. Contribute to valuable scientific research

Studying to become a marine biologist, you’re embarking on a path to further our understanding of the world’s oceans and the creatures that call it home. This knowledge could benefit all humanity, leading to important changes like new marine protection legislation or advances in medical care. You can be a part of that great legacy of marine scientists — and scientists in general — uncovering the unknown and using it to the benefit of all.

2. Incredible travel and outdoor opportunities

Imagine having a coral reef as your office or being co-workers with a sea turtle. From field trips to field work, one of the perks of being a marine biologist is traveling and getting to spend time outdoors. Research requires everything from flying to marine habitats in exciting, new destinations to spending time out in nature at the beach or on the water. So if you love being outdoors and seeing the world, you’ll definitely have opportunities to do so in this field.

3. Help develop new, revolutionary technologies, drugs, and more

Through fields like pharmacology, engineering, and biomedicine, you can develop new drugs to help humanity, create technology to solve important issues, and find innovative, cutting-edge solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow.

4. Tons of specialization options

Marine biology is such a broad field that you can easily segue it into any number of specializations for higher degrees or jobs. You can work as a teacher or instructor, study the molecular biology of marine organisms doing marine biology research, help rescue and rehabilitate marine animals, work in engineering, help with marine conservation and environmental protections.

5. Learn cool skills like scuba diving and sailing

How many people do you know who are PADI certified scuba divers or are able to raise a sail? Studying marine biology can lead to new experiences and an opportunity to add unique and valuable skills to your resume. And these areas of expertise can open doors in other industries too.

6. Flex those math and science skills

Marine biologists are pros with math and science, which are valuable skills no matter what field you’re in. If you decide one day to pursue different career opportunities or enter a new line of work, many of those skills can still be transferable.

7. Well-rounded foundation in both hard and soft skills

It’s not just math and science skills you’ll gain with a marine biology degree. You’ll also walk away with invaluable hard and soft skills that make you an ideal candidate for all sorts of jobs. Those include communication skills, experience working as part of a team, project management, data analysis, and much more.

8. It’s your passion

Planning for your career and financial future is important, but so is doing what you love every day. There are benefits and drawbacks to every kind of work, so you may as well do something that makes you feel happy and fulfilled.

How to become a marine biologist

While marine biology offers tons of exciting opportunities to spend time in beautiful marine environments and help advance our understanding of the ocean and marine ecosystems, it’s also important to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side (or, in this case, the ocean is not always bluer).

Marine biologists often spend more time on their laptops and working in labs than being out in the field and, depending on your specialization, there can be limited job opportunities.

But fortune favors the prepared. By understanding the realities of the field and planning well in advance, you can avoid potential pitfalls and disappointments. If you think a marine biology degree is right for you, here are some steps you can start taking today to make it a reality:

• Take specialized classes like a marine biology course in high school or at your local community college
• Take lots of math and science classes as well, including Advanced Placement (AP) if practical and available
• Get involved in local ocean organizations like beach cleanups or youth volunteer programs at aquariums and zoos
• Take part in a sailing program with a specialization in marine science like Sea|mester to get practical, hands-on, and real-world experience to see if a career in marine biology is the right choice for you

If you still have questions, check out our complete guide on how to become a marine biologist, and read about all the different job opportunities for marine biologists to help you explore your options.