What should a person do in preparation for a career in Marine Biology?

al mc

al mc

Active Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2483350
Why won't I have money? If you know how to use money, you will always have money.
Coral...Congratulations on your maturity about money. It is all about separating your needs from your wants and starting to save early, as 'journey' suggested. Are you close to the ocean? Many times federal or state owned parks are great places to volunteer. It is as much about who you know as what you know in this world. So, making contacts helps.
Have you talked to any guidance conselors at school?
 
coral keeper

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by Al Mc
http:///forum/post/2483518
Coral...Congratulations on your maturity about money. It is all about separating your needs from your wants and starting to save early, as 'journey' suggested. Are you close to the ocean? Many times federal or state owned parks are great places to volunteer. It is as much about who you know as what you know in this world. So, making contacts helps.
Have you talked to any guidance conselors at school?
Thanks! It takes about 1 hour and 30 min to get to the ocean. I'm home schooled so I bought a lot of Marine Biology books and stuff. Me and another one of my teachers student wants to become a Marine Biologist and my teacher also knows another teacher that has a grandfather who is a retired Marine Biologist, so my teacher, and his other student that wants to become a Marine Biologist, and the retired Marine Biologist are going to meet at my house on March 5th. So, I can't wait! They wanted to come to my house because I have all those fish tanks and pets LOL.
 
J

jrthomas40

Guest
Originally Posted by MIKE22cha
http:///forum/post/2483287
Be prepared to work a second job if you want to have money.

please do not take this quote seriously...it is quotes like these that detour people from getting into the field...this statement is WRONG....i have my BS in marine biology and am about to finish up my MS in marine fisheries in which i will then go on to my PHD....i have done SEVERAL Gulf of mexico groundfish & pelagic trawl surveys with NOAA/NMFS (national marine fisheries service)...i have several friends there most of which make over 75k/year, 1 is going to top out at 84k in the next 2 years then will apply for a manning and some other job stuff which he will then make over 100k....when i finish my masters i will be able to get a job starting at 50-55k and when i finish my phd i will start at around 60 or so.....so there is MONEY in the field just have to get your schooling
 
J

jrthomas40

Guest
also wanted to say there is a common misconception that marine biologist only study marine mammals...and probably 8 of 10 people that want to go into marine biology want to do marine mammal studies which is a packed field....marine biologist do more studies than just mammals look in to the many DIFFERENT fields that make up marine biology mostly looking at the ocean and how everything works together and some cause and effect....working at a fish store falls into the category of marine ornamental aquaculture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_biology
link to the definition of marine biology
it also list many different fields within MB
 
natemd

natemd

Member
Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2482977
How big of a bottle did you need for $1k in change LOL
lol, we kept putting change in the container that Wild Turkey Rare Breed comes in so it took about 4 times filling that up to get around $1000. Its shaped like a cylinder with a diameter of about 4 inches and it is about 14 inches tall.
 
teen

teen

Active Member
ehh, youre only 14. i can almost guarantee by the time your in college, you wont want to be a marine biologist anymore.
but hey, doesnt help to try and save up some money anyway.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by beenbag497
http:///forum/post/2486443
how old do you have to be to work at the lfs?
I don't think it matters, but most places can't pay you (technically, not under the table) until you're 16, or at least here in New York state.
-Justin
 
mike22cha

mike22cha

Active Member
Originally Posted by jrthomas40
http:///forum/post/2483655
please do not take this quote seriously...it is quotes like these that detour people from getting into the field...this statement is WRONG....i have my BS in marine biology and am about to finish up my MS in marine fisheries in which i will then go on to my PHD....i have done SEVERAL Gulf of mexico groundfish & pelagic trawl surveys with NOAA/NMFS (national marine fisheries service)...i have several friends there most of which make over 75k/year, 1 is going to top out at 84k in the next 2 years then will apply for a manning and some other job stuff which he will then make over 100k....when i finish my masters i will be able to get a job starting at 50-55k and when i finish my phd i will start at around 60 or so.....so there is MONEY in the field just have to get your schooling
I want/wanted to be a MB but I didn't think they'd make good money.
 
clownfish11

clownfish11

Active Member
guess what coral keeper my birthday is may 28 1993, i want to be a Marine BIologist, I love fish, we have a lot in common lol...
 
coral keeper

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by ClownFiSH11
http:///forum/post/2490527
guess what coral keeper my birthday is may 28 1993, i want to be a Marine BIologist, I love fish, we have a lot in common lol...
WOW! We do!! lol. Is your name Moses? If it is, that means we are TWINS!!!
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by jrthomas40
http:///forum/post/2483655
please do not take this quote seriously...it is quotes like these that detour people from getting into the field...this statement is WRONG....i have my BS in marine biology and am about to finish up my MS in marine fisheries in which i will then go on to my PHD....i have done SEVERAL Gulf of mexico groundfish & pelagic trawl surveys with NOAA/NMFS (national marine fisheries service)...i have several friends there most of which make over 75k/year, 1 is going to top out at 84k in the next 2 years then will apply for a manning and some other job stuff which he will then make over 100k....when i finish my masters i will be able to get a job starting at 50-55k and when i finish my phd i will start at around 60 or so.....so there is MONEY in the field just have to get your schooling
The fisheries focus is, however, one of the big reasons you will have opportunities. It is one of the main fields in marine bio that still has demand, and it is important people keep this in mind. There are others in marine bio who perhaps had different expectations. It is important to keep this in mind. You also point out another fact - you are getting a PhD, which may be important.
Coral Keeper -
I don't personally recommend a BSc. in marine bio, and would encourage a broad and diverse general biology background for several reasons. Definitely take what marine bio courses you can, including summer field studies and any independent research options available both for high school and undergrad. But don't limit yourself. If you are interested in an academic or research career, being able to market yourself as a general biologist may be important, not to mention you may find a field of biology you prefer a bit more

There is no doubt it is a hard road. There are A LOT of people who want to be marine biologists, and many who have graduate degrees - an no jobs. So you have to be realistic. As mentioned, fisheries biology is a very active area and that is a good consideration.
My specialty was in marine invertebrate zoology and there are limited options there, which I knew starting out. Depending on what aspect of marine bio you are interested in, you may or may not need a "wake up call." However, you have plenty of time before that is a real issue :)
 
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