A Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist

On the surface, working as a marine biologist seems like a dream come true. But what’s a day in the life of a marine biologist really like?

For those passionate about the ocean and all the creatures that inhabit it, there’s nothing better than getting to spend every day studying and learning about the big, wide world of oceans and marine organisms.

But dive a bit further in and you’ll discover there’s more to being a marine biologist than meets the eye. While you do get to spend time out on the ocean, exploring underwater worlds, and studying marine flora and fauna, most marine biologists also spend a fair amount of time indoors, doing all sorts of tasks like analyzing data, compiling reports, and doing lots of paperwork — just like many other jobs.

To give you a better idea of what a day in the life of a marine biologist is like, we asked two working marine biologists to share a glimpse into their daily working lives.

What do marine biologists do?

In a nutshell, marine biologists study life under (and above) the waves. They are scientists and researchers that study the marine animals and plants that inhabit the world’s oceans and marine ecosystems. Studying everything from teeny plankton to massive whales, marine biologists study marine life in all its forms and how they interact with their saltwater homes.

Being a marine biologist can involve a lot of fun travel and time spent outdoors at the beach and at sea. But becoming a marine biologist is also a long road that first involves a lot of study.

After taking science and math classes in high school, many marine biologists start off majoring in marine biology in college before narrowing in on their area of specialization for their master’s degree and Ph.D. After completing their degrees, marine biologists work anywhere from government agencies to universities and colleges in a variety of fields from researching how to protect endangered marine mammals with marine conservation biology to sustainable aquaculture.

Follow a day in the life of two marine biologists

Curious about what a day in the life of a marine biologist looks like?

We sat down with Ian C. Enochs and Francesca C. Forrestal, two Ph.D. research ecologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At this government agency, Enochs studies how climate change impacts coral reefs around the world, and Forrestal works in the field of sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.

We asked them what a usual day at work looks like for them, as well as what they like most and least about their work as marine biologists, what advice they have for young adults hoping to go into the field of marine biology, and more.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Enochs: “There is no typical marine biologist, which is one of the cool things about the job. Even within my group of 20 or so, we have so many people doing different things. I have postdocs and technicians that are diving on reefs, deploying sensors, and collecting data. There are technicians designing and 3D printing new parts for instruments, there are people running experiments with corals in robotic aquaria, or people CT and 3D scanning samples to see what their skeletal structure is like. That’s just in my group. There’s an entire ocean of other people out there.”

Forrestal: “My title is a research ecologist, so I tend to spend a lot of my time working with numbers, performing data analysis, and statistical analysis for computer modeling.”

What is your favorite part of your job?

Enochs: “A couple things. Obviously I still love diving and adventure. I love analyzing data and publishing, inventing new technologies and putting them to work. I also really love working with my team. Marine biologists tend to be extremely passionate, accomplished, and hardworking people. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with the people that I do.”

Forrestal: “The thing I enjoy most about my role is the feeling that I am helping figure out how the fish populations are doing. Also, working with a wide range of different stakeholders is enjoyable, such as recreational and commercial fishermen, biologists, social scientists, economists, universities, and other researchers. Talking to people on the ground… ground truthing… it’s like solving a puzzle by trying to figure out how the pieces fit together. Trying to make sense of chaotic data is super interesting for me.”

What are some of the challenges of working as marine biologists?

Enochs: “Paperwork and bureaucracy. I think that’s part of every job. As you advance in your career and you become responsible for more and more people, it becomes inevitable.”

Forrestal: “Bureaucracy! I work for NOAA, and that’s the federal government, so there’s lots of the same red tape that you would find in any large-sized company. Timesheets, official travel requests, etc., and seemingly lots of repetitive tasks that could and should be automated.”

What skills will help budding marine biologists thrive and find success in this field?

Enochs: “Dedication and hard work. That’s it. You need to be passionate about what you do to the point of wanting/needing to learn and discover new things.”

Forrestal: “You need to be curious and have the resolve to want to figure out the answer to the challenging questions.”

What advice do you have for aspiring marine biologists?

Enochs: “Talk to everyone and get involved. Reach out to people that do things you are interested in and ask if there’s any way for you to work with them, or simply ask them for advice. More often than not, people will take the time to talk to you and share their experiences. Those connections can lead to opportunities and those opportunities will grow.”

Forrestal: “Don’t pigeonhole yourself too early by thinking you know exactly what it is that you want to research or study. My advice is to take a wide range of scientific classes to broaden your horizons and expose yourself to the diverse aspects of ocean and marine science. I always thought I wanted to study aquaculture, but after volunteering in a lab during my Ph.D., I realized that wasn’t for me. As you grow and learn, life has a way of shifting, so don’t commit yourself too early; keep your options open.”

Start your marine biology journey at Sea|mester

For all its challenges, marine biology is a rewarding field that’s perfect for inquisitive, hardworking individuals who love taking on challenges, finding new adventures, and spending time out at sea. Now that you have a better idea of what marine biologists do, dip your toes into the world of marine biology with an educational voyage at sea with Sea|mester. Learn invaluable tools like nautical navigation, scuba diving, and biology basics that will start you on the road for a successful marine biology career.

About the experts

Ian C. Enochs is a research ecologist at NOAA and head of the Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory’s Coral Program, where he studies how coral reefs react to oceanic changes like warming and acidification. He received his bachelor degree in Marine Science Biology and Ph.D. in Marine Biology & Fisheries from the University of Miami.

Francesca C. Forrestal is a research ecologist at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center, focusing on stock assessments and sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico region. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master of Science in Marine Affairs and Policy and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the University of Miami.