• Welcome to the DeeperBlue.com Forums, the largest online community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving and Spearfishing. To gain full access to the DeeperBlue.com Forums you must register for a free account. As a registered member you will be able to:

    • Join over 44,280+ fellow diving enthusiasts from around the world on this forum
    • Participate in and browse from over 516,210+ posts.
    • Communicate privately with other divers from around the world.
    • Post your own photos or view from 7,441+ user submitted images.
    • All this and much more...

    You can gain access to all this absolutely free when you register for an account, so sign up today!

Marine Biology...

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.

IsaacND

Team Zissou
Aug 24, 2011
111
5
33
Hi guys.

At present I'm at college doing A-levels, with the intention of studying Marine Biology at university. I don't suppose anyone out there is has already done this? (Specialising in zoology, rather than oceanography etc)
College is reaaaaaaally not fun, but it's something I need to do to get to uni; anyone out there able to offer advice?

On the other hand (but less likely) any Cousteau types out there looking for an unqualified shipmate? Have trunk, will travel...
 
Hi Isaac,
When I was younger I always had the ambition of becoming a marine biologist, but when I started college I found it hard work keeping up with the coursework and spent a lot more of my time chasing girls and partying and ended up dropping out and taking up work instead with the intention of going back to it eventually.
Now though I enjoy my job, I still toy with the idea of going back to studying, but once you're used to full time work it's hard to get back to that lifestyle.
My advice to you is to just stick at it and then no matter what you do you will have that behind you and you won't wonder what might have been!
All the best mate,

Ps- give me a shout if 'a Cousteau type' gets back to you.
Could do with a break from England :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: IsaacND
Isaac,

Don't want to burst your bubble, but, as one who has been there, Marine biology is a field with lots of very hi grade competition and few jobs. Success in that field means getting into a very good university, top of the class grades+, getting into a top rated graduate school, going for a PhD, then fighting for a decent job and getting a bit of luck.

Success is possible, I got very lucky and managed it in Marine Fisheries, but most Marine Biology students are just kidding themselves.

Connor
 
  • Like
Reactions: IsaacND
Thanks guys! Whilst I was a straight A student at school, and have the capability to do well if I really try, it does sound as though, unless marine biology is a life ambition, it's not realistic. And even provided I did perfectly, there would be no guarantee of even getting to uni, let alone getting a job afterwards...

Thanks for your help though guys, glad I got that kind of advice before I got too far in!

Perhaps I could find myself a galleon, and become a career pirate. In the 16th century.

@TreachCon, surprisingly few replies! Perhaps a trip to Pescapeda Island is in order, to have a chat with a Mr. Zissou...
 
Seriously, don't give up before you tried it. If you are really interested give it a try. Maybe it will turn out that you don't even like it as real research can be quite different from expectations.
The most important advice I can give you is to not only do what you're told to but do more. Get internships, volunteer, whatever it takes to get in touch with people. Talk with them and later on try and go to conferences.
 
Without wanting to sound like yoda, there are no guarantees in life sadly and most of the time, things will no go your way unless you try hard to get what you want.

Obviously knowing what you are getting into is really important too but the one thing I do know is that it's up to you to create opportunities in life - if you have an open mind, are flexible and prepared to work hard relentlessly and not give up (and provided you do have some potential which it sounds you do) you will most likely end up having some decent shots at something that would make you happy.

People often look at others' success and misinterpret it as 'luck' because they focus on that last bit that happened just before they got there but what you should really understand is how they got themselves to the position to be able to have that 'random opportunity' in the first place.

One thing's for sure: nobody will come to your room at home and offer you anything unless you do 'something' lol

(yoda speech over)
 
  • Like
Reactions: IsaacND
Friend of mine, marine biologist, works as a deckhand on ferry vessel. Sounds like a very competitive field, something between musician or helicopter pilot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IsaacND
Hi guys.

At present I'm at college doing A-levels, with the intention of studying Marine Biology at university. I don't suppose anyone out there is has already done this? (Specialising in zoology, rather than oceanography etc)
College is reaaaaaaally not fun, but it's something I need to do to get to uni; anyone out there able to offer advice?

On the other hand (but less likely) any Cousteau types out there looking for an unqualified shipmate? Have trunk, will travel...

You might want to talk to a forum member called Shadowkiller. he is a marine biologist and might be able to give you a few tips.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses!! I've thought about it, and to be perfectly honest, I feel that perhaps I was only really looking at it from one perspective, and that there are other career paths much more suitable to what I want. Especially considering the massive amount of work for something I'm not too attached to, it seems that the effort and time would be considerably better spent invested more carefully, in something I'd rather do!

I tried to give you all rep for responding, you've all been really helpful! Although the dirty minded acronym artists have too recently had rep, so you'll have to make do with the knowledge that it was intended!
 
If you enjoy biological or natural resource work, you may want to study general biology, explore the possibilities, and specialize if something really catches your interest. A more general degree can give you a lot more flexibility.

Case in point: I unfortunately studied Criminal Justice with the intent of becoming a police officer, but that didn't work out. Now I am stuck with a bachelor's degree that is good for CJ, but little else. If I had studied history, sociology, or even biology, I would be a lot more marketable. My 2 cents.
 
Your situation almost mirrors what I went through when I was studying A-levels (Chemistry, Biology and Maths). I was determined to study Marine Biology at Bangor University which at the time was the best place in the UK. Everyone tried to dissuade me but it wasn't until the brother of a close friend, who had completed Marine Biology at Bangor, pointed out that he was more or less unemployable and was helping out on a fish farm for a pittance, that I saw the light. Suffice to say I switched my focus but still enjoy reading and watching anything and everything connected to the sea. My understanding is that on a global scale, a very small group of people make any kind of living out of Marine Biology. Sounds like you've reached a decision anyway so good luck with things!
 
My understanding is that on a global scale, a very small group of people make any kind of living out of Marine Biology

Or selling spearfishing equipment......!
 
  • Like
Reactions: island_sands
.........

Or selling spearfishing equipment......!

Too right Mart. I tried that also under the banner of Silent Blue Ltd about 15 years ago and was lucky to break even whilst working my nuts off!!! ha,ha
 
Hi Leo,
I feel your pain.. I was hoping to study online too, cause I was homeschooled and I can't say I'm too good at socializing at all... As far as I know, Unity College Distance Education offers an online B.S. degree in Marine Biology and Sustainable Aquaculture. So you could consider it as well.
 
Leon said:
Hi guys, need your advice... I was hoping to apply for an online degree in marine biology, because I don't feel comfortable communicating with people directly due to dysphemia. Any recommendations? I'm panicking... Should I writemyessaytoday and apply for a bachelor's in Zoology with Marine Biology on campus (at the University of Salford) or should I go with the degree in Biology with a concentration in Zoology?
I've a reef tank too (it's been my hobby since I was 9).

Hi Leo,
I feel your pain.. I was hoping to study online too, cause I was homeschooled and I can't say I'm too good at socializing at all... As far as I know, Unity College Distance Education offers an online B.S. degree in Marine Biology and Sustainable Aquaculture. So you could consider it as well. Or there's a Marine Biology (BSc (Hons)) program at Heriot-Watt University, and they have an online MSc.
 
DeeperBlue.com - The Worlds Largest Community Dedicated To Freediving, Scuba Diving and Spearfishing

ABOUT US

ISSN 1469-865X | Copyright © 1996 - 2024 deeperblue.net limited.

DeeperBlue.com is the World's Largest Community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving, Ocean Advocacy and Diving Travel.

We've been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news, features and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996.

ADVERT