3 answers
stephanie
Student
Buckeye, Arizona
1
Question
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What is the best route to getting into marine biology?
Hi, I'm 16 and in 10th grade, and I'm interested in pursuing a career in marine-biology
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3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Stephanie!
Getting Started with Marine Biology
If you’re 16 years old and in 10th grade, and interested in pursuing a career in marine biology, there are several steps you can take to get started. Marine biology is a fascinating field that involves studying the marine environment and its diverse inhabitants, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Educate Yourself on Marine Biology: Begin by learning about the different aspects of marine biology, such as marine ecology, oceanography, and marine conservation. You can do this by reading books, articles, and watching documentaries on the subject. Some authoritative reference titles on marine biology include:
a. “Marine Biology: An Introduction to the Study of Life in the Oceans” by John R. Paar b. “The Ocean: A Very Short Introduction” by Helen C. White c. “Coral Reefs: An Introduction to the Biology, Ecology, and Importance of Coral Reefs” by Charles S. A. Herner
Participate in School Activities: Join clubs or participate in school activities related to marine biology or environmental science. This will help you gain hands-on experience and make connections with like-minded individuals.
Volunteer or Intern: Look for opportunities to volunteer or intern at local aquariums, research institutions, or marine conservation organizations. This will give you real-world experience and help you determine if marine biology is the right career path for you.
Pursue a Degree in Marine Biology: After completing high school, you’ll need to pursue a degree in marine biology or a related field, such as biology, ecology, or environmental science. Many universities offer programs in marine biology, so research and apply to schools with strong marine biology departments.
Gain Research Experience: Participate in research projects or internships during your studies to gain valuable experience in the field. This will help you build a strong foundation for a career in marine biology and make you more competitive when applying for jobs.
Network: Attend conferences, workshops, and other events related to marine biology to meet professionals in the field and learn about job opportunities. Building a network of contacts can be invaluable in finding job opportunities and staying informed about developments in the field.
Consider Further Education: After completing your undergraduate degree, you may want to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in marine biology. Advanced degrees can open up more job opportunities and help you specialize in a particular area of marine biology.
By following these steps, you can set yourself on a path towards a successful career in marine biology. Remember to stay curious, persistent, and open to new experiences as you explore this fascinating field.
GOD BLESS YOU,
James Constantine Frangos.
Getting Started with Marine Biology
If you’re 16 years old and in 10th grade, and interested in pursuing a career in marine biology, there are several steps you can take to get started. Marine biology is a fascinating field that involves studying the marine environment and its diverse inhabitants, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Educate Yourself on Marine Biology: Begin by learning about the different aspects of marine biology, such as marine ecology, oceanography, and marine conservation. You can do this by reading books, articles, and watching documentaries on the subject. Some authoritative reference titles on marine biology include:
a. “Marine Biology: An Introduction to the Study of Life in the Oceans” by John R. Paar b. “The Ocean: A Very Short Introduction” by Helen C. White c. “Coral Reefs: An Introduction to the Biology, Ecology, and Importance of Coral Reefs” by Charles S. A. Herner
Participate in School Activities: Join clubs or participate in school activities related to marine biology or environmental science. This will help you gain hands-on experience and make connections with like-minded individuals.
Volunteer or Intern: Look for opportunities to volunteer or intern at local aquariums, research institutions, or marine conservation organizations. This will give you real-world experience and help you determine if marine biology is the right career path for you.
Pursue a Degree in Marine Biology: After completing high school, you’ll need to pursue a degree in marine biology or a related field, such as biology, ecology, or environmental science. Many universities offer programs in marine biology, so research and apply to schools with strong marine biology departments.
Gain Research Experience: Participate in research projects or internships during your studies to gain valuable experience in the field. This will help you build a strong foundation for a career in marine biology and make you more competitive when applying for jobs.
Network: Attend conferences, workshops, and other events related to marine biology to meet professionals in the field and learn about job opportunities. Building a network of contacts can be invaluable in finding job opportunities and staying informed about developments in the field.
Consider Further Education: After completing your undergraduate degree, you may want to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in marine biology. Advanced degrees can open up more job opportunities and help you specialize in a particular area of marine biology.
By following these steps, you can set yourself on a path towards a successful career in marine biology. Remember to stay curious, persistent, and open to new experiences as you explore this fascinating field.
GOD BLESS YOU,
James Constantine Frangos.
David Hulme
Director of Sales Engineers
19
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Stephanie, I think one thing you should consider doing is reaching out to 2-3 working Marine Biologists electronically and request a short mentoring session, say 20-30 minutes. I think you should connect with more than one because there are at least 3 different applications of that degree: research, active conservation work, and industrial farming (and there are probably more). Build a list of 5-10 questions and have a conversation around them with those folks. Questions you might consider:
What are the 3-5 things you love most about your career?
What's a typical month look like for you?
What are the education requirements for your career path, and where is the sweet spot in terms of education?
What's the compensation like over the course of the career?
If you had to go back and do it over, what would you do differently that would have helped you more?
What are the biggest downsides to the career?
How do most successful folks in your career get started?
What's the next 10-20 years in the industry look like?
What do I need to do as a young person to distinguish myself from the others that want to do this too?
What should I do next?
Reaching out to a complete stranger may seem like a challenge, but you can leverage LinkedIn, Twitter, and other online resources and you will really be surprised. Aim high, don't be afraid to contact someone that is doing something in the field that impresses you. Drag an adult you trust into all of those conversations as well.
You'll have a lot more info to work with if you do that. Good luck!
ID a list of potential mentors
Create a list of questions to ask them, the questions should focus on upsides, downsides, requirements to get into the field, plus what you can expect in terms of opportunities and benefits of the career.
Reach out to the folks on your list until you find a few that work in different areas of Marine Biology that are will to chat with you
Bring an adult with you on those calls, for a second perspective and to stay safe chatting with strangers
What are the 3-5 things you love most about your career?
What's a typical month look like for you?
What are the education requirements for your career path, and where is the sweet spot in terms of education?
What's the compensation like over the course of the career?
If you had to go back and do it over, what would you do differently that would have helped you more?
What are the biggest downsides to the career?
How do most successful folks in your career get started?
What's the next 10-20 years in the industry look like?
What do I need to do as a young person to distinguish myself from the others that want to do this too?
What should I do next?
Reaching out to a complete stranger may seem like a challenge, but you can leverage LinkedIn, Twitter, and other online resources and you will really be surprised. Aim high, don't be afraid to contact someone that is doing something in the field that impresses you. Drag an adult you trust into all of those conversations as well.
You'll have a lot more info to work with if you do that. Good luck!
David recommends the following next steps:
William Herring II
7
Answers
Updated
William’s Answer
Ensure that you consistently focus on your studies in marine biology. Strive to learn everything related to this career path. Enhance your knowledge by taking college courses. Aim to secure an internship in the specific field of work to gain practical experience.