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Whats it like to be a biologist

I want to major in biology in college and become a marine biologist #science #biology #marine-biology

science biology marine-biology
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What is marine biology and what is a marine biologist?
This is a harder question to answer than you may imagine! Marine biology is the field of knowledge relating to marine organisms. But what is a marine biologist? To many, it means being a dolphin trainer but to others it means managing a marine wildlife sanctuary. There are many answers to this question and I would say that a marine biologist is someone who works in some way in studying, observing, protecting, or managing marine organisms, be they microbe, plant or animal. If you study marine fish populations you are a marine biologist. If you manage a marine wildlife preserve and are concerned with protection of marine organisms there, then you too are a marine biologist. You know you're a marine biologist if you have a notebook or computer that you record information often about marine organisms. But you may also be a marine biologist if you are collecting sponges, looking for bioactive drugs. You may be counting them, doing DNA sequencing of them, observing them in the laboratory or making theoretical models predicting their abundance once fishing is decreased. So marine biologists do many things, but what they have in common is working with marine organisms
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Cassandra’s Answer

As with any degree now, it requires a ton of work to make it in the real world. Making many connections during your college career will help greatly. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the prospects of the degree and career paths.

Being a Marine Biologist isn't just having the degree. Many companies now want Scuba certification to go along with the degree and many years of experience (or a higher degree in place of experience). Many of the programs are moving towards a more hands on approach to Marine Biology and many of the companies have yet to realize this little fact. Do your homework on the school program along with possible career choices you might want to do in the future.
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Vernon’s Answer

As with most careers, a career in biology is what you make it. These days, you most certainly need an advanced degree in one of the specialities. Marine biology seems pretty "romantic" and adventurous, but it is one of the most difficult fields to enter and find career-level work. UCSD's Scripps Institute and UMass's Woods Hole are two of the best schools in the world for this field. Don't ignore UC Santa Cruz or Humboldt State, though.


While working on your degrees, be sure to get good internships and make as many connections as possible. Sadly, you will find that politics is always a tripping stone to finding that magic job. Moreover, with the recent political environment in the United States, you should consider looking at Europe or Australia/New Zealand for your first real jobs. There will be little or no opportunity for you while the current political "philosophy" works its way through our system.


Good luck.


Vern Turner
Marble Falls, TX
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