Cassandra
Whats it like to be a biologist
I want to major in biology in college and become a marine biologist #science #biology #marine-biology
4 answers
Naveen Kumar MN
Naveen’s Answer
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
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Embarking on a Journey as a Biologist
Choosing to be a biologist, particularly a marine biologist, can be an immensely gratifying and satisfying career path. In this role, you'll get to uncover the marvels of nature, carry out research that enhances our comprehension of life on Earth, and positively influence conservation initiatives. Here's a snapshot of the biologist's life:
1. A Love for Science: Biologists are propelled by a profound fascination with the world of living things. They are passionate about comprehending how organisms operate, interact with their surroundings, and evolve. This curiosity ignites their research and motivates them to unravel intricate biological mysteries.
2. Varied Career Paths: Biology is a vast field offering a variety of career paths. As a biologist, you might find yourself working in academia, carrying out research at universities or research institutions. Alternatively, you could be employed by government agencies, non-profit entities, or private sectors like pharmaceutical firms or environmental consultancies. Specifically, marine biologists delve into the study of marine creatures and ecosystems, with a focus on conservation, ecology, and marine resource management.
3. Hands-On Fieldwork and Research: Biologists frequently venture into the field to gather data and execute experiments. For marine biologists, this could mean diving into coral reefs to examine marine biodiversity, tracking sea turtles to comprehend their migration routes, or conducting surveys of marine mammal populations. Fieldwork enables biologists to directly observe organisms in their natural habitats and gather crucial data for their research.
4. Lab Work: Besides fieldwork, biologists also dedicate time in labs analyzing samples, conducting experiments, and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to study biological processes at the molecular level. Lab work is vital for generating data that bolsters scientific discoveries and progress in biology.
5. Lifelong Learning: Biology is a rapidly evolving field with new discoveries cropping up regularly. As a biologist, you'll need to keep abreast of the latest research findings, technologies, and methodologies in your specialty. Continuous learning is a key component of a successful biologist's journey.
6. Conservation Impact: Many biologists are fervent about conservation and environmental protection. By studying ecosystems and species diversity, biologists play a pivotal role in pinpointing threats to biodiversity and devising strategies for conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
In conclusion, being a biologist offers an exhilarating voyage of exploration, discovery, and contribution to our understanding of life on Earth. If you're a science enthusiast with a yearning to make a real-world impact through your work, a career in biology could be your perfect match.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
National Geographic Society: Renowned for its top-notch content on biology, including marine biology and global conservation efforts.
Smithsonian Institution: A prestigious research organization offering valuable insights into diverse biology fields through its publications and research initiatives.
MarineBio Conservation Society: This organization specializes in marine biology and conservation efforts related to marine ecosystems globally.
These sources were invaluable in providing precise information about the field of biology and the life of a biologist.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY, CASSANDRA!
JC.
Vernon Turner
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
Cassandra Eldredge
Cassandra’s Answer
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.