How I Became a MARINE BIOLOGIST Living in HAWAII
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Becoming a working marine biologist isn't easy! For many, working as a marine biologist in Hawaii is a "dream job." Is this field right for you??
Welcome to Kaimana Conservation, where we talk about all things ocean related. This video features Jessica, a professional marine biologist living and working in Maui.
Jessica explains how she became a marine biologist -- from the beginning! Sit on a Maui beach (literally!) and listen to her story, starting out as a small-town girl in land-locked Illinois to a working as a full-time marine biologist and scuba diver in the Bahamas, Fiji, and Hawaii.
This video is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about the field of marine sciences, planning on getting a degree in marine biology, or curious about how to work with the ocean!
During the pandemic, Jessica is creating ocean-related content for TH-cam to educate a wider audience while people are spending more time at home. Comment below with your biggest questions about the ocean, it's inhabitants, marine conservation, and the field of marine sciences! Get your answers directly from a professional marine biologist!
hey! i really love this video. i’m 14 and i’ve always wanted to be a marine biologist since i was little. i’ve been thinking about going to school in hawaii and i was curious if you had any tips or recommendations. keep doing what you’re doing :)
Aloha Maddy! I'm glad you like the video :) I hope it has inspired you to pursue your dreams of becoming a marine scientist.
Here is a link to the University of Hawaii Biology Department (marine biology is a degree within this department). Definitely check it out. Although I didn't attend, I have met many graduates from this program and they loved it! It sounds like a fabulous program! manoa.hawaii.edu/biology/
Best of luck with your ocean journey!
@@KaimanaConservation thank you!!
i'm in the exact same situation as you, i guess i'm not as original of a person as i thought but it's great that i know there's others that have the same goal as me!
Same! I would really love to study marine biology in Hawaii 🌺
Here is your pat on the back 🤗❤
this is so useful! I'm starting wildlife conservation as an undergrad and freaked out because I really can't choose whether I want to protect terrestrial or Marine wildlife! Your experience in Uni really calmed me down thanks for the informational video!
Aloha Isa!
Congrats on beginning your degree in Wildlife Conservation, what an incredible field! Definitely try out both terrestrial and marine coursework and field studies, you may find that you enjoy one more than the other. Or both equally! Which is totally fine too, I loved doing conservation work on land. The most important thing is that the overarching theories and skills regarding animal biology, ecology, ethology, and so on, are transferrable to almost any ecosystem on earth, including those above and below the water. :)
Have a great semester!
You are who I want to be when I grow up
Thank you for this video. I know I want to have a career that has something to do with the ocean, I’m just not sure what. I’d like to go into marine biology but I’m just afraid of the low pay and job insecurity that almost everyone talks about for marine biologists.
Aloha Mero, thanks for watching! There is definitely a lot of considerations like you mentioned above. I always tell everyone that marine biology is a passion-driven career - if you love it then you will find your way to a successful career. It takes persistence, perseverance and a crazy amount of dedication though.
That being said, there are a TON of jobs that involve working with the ocean that doesn't fall under the category of biology, like scuba diving instruction, aquatic engineering, marine captain, aquarium curation, etc.
Best of luck finding your perfect career match!
Any marine biologists or majors/environmental majors on here? I wanted to know if anyone had any hesitations before committing. Thank you!
I am a declared environmental engineering student undergrad. I didn’t hesitate selecting the major. Now that I’m pursuing this major some factors to consider would be that environmental engineering is a lot of chemistry and hydraulic work so physics/chemistry of fluids which mainly include gas contaminants in the air, water contamination, etc. I found course work is rigorous especially curriculum like mass transfer and thermodynamics. It’s overall fun if you love the feeling of overcoming challenges after a lot of work. Going into this field can direct you to city/private/academia work which is why a lot of people go the engineering route. But so can other majors. I hope to minor in environmental sciences as well.
@@monserrathalvarez8508 thank you so much for this! It’s great to see other people pursuing things you want to do. I always appreciate knowing everyone’s stories and goals when they pursue a career in the stem category. Thank you for the inspiration and response :) good luck in college!!
Thank you for this! I am a bit late (I'm 27) to the game and trying to switch my career from sustainability programming to marine bio research. My next option is likely grad school, but this has been hugely helpful and a nice reminder that I can do it even when it seems impossible :)
Thank you so much for posting this video. It was VERY helpful! I have always wanted to be a marine biologist, but I am going back and forth between marine biology and environmental science. Despite my passion for the water, I love terrestrial wildlife, conservation, invasive species, etc., too, and I've heard it is "easier" getting a job with an environmental science degree. I've noticed the required core courses for environmental science- at most colleges- aren't as grueling as the marine biology's requirements, but I guess that is to be decided by the individual. Personally, physics & organic chemistry don't seem like a good time :) lol. I've been looking at UH Hilo's Environmental Science program, and I was planning on taking some marine courses they have available as well as joining their marine club. Do you think that would be a wise idea before taking the more... cough *strenuous* courses, and majoring in environmental science to start? That was my plan, but I wanted to see if that was totally off base. Any help is SO appreciated!! Thanks again :)
Aloha Maureen! I'm glad to hear that you are looking at a career in conservation :)
The marine vs. terrestrial dilemma is one that I had as well. When attending college for my bachelors, I opted to study Environmental Sciences because the theories were widely applicable to both terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems. There is obviously many differences, but the fields are more similar than you'd think. :)
That being said, there were several "difficult" core courses that I needed to take as part of my environmental science degree like inorganic and organic chemistry, statistics, physics, etc. However, these courses were (as far as I could tell) the same between most earth and biological science-based degrees. So basically, it likely won't matter which degree you pick in terms of difficulty, they will both require some difficult coursework.
However, I did find that when I was more excited about a topic, I became more motivated to get good at the topic - even if I found it difficult. All of a sudden it was an exciting challenge instead of a difficult burden. And I was all the more proud of myself when I 'solved' the issue or learned how to find a solution. Very rewarding :)
All in all, what matters is that you are passionate about the topic, and truly motivated to learn it. The benefit of wanting similar degrees - like marine and terrestrial sciences - is that you can take elective coursework that are both relevant to each another. So my recommendation is pick a degree "title," and then do a little bit of BOTH! :D
This video is so motivational! Thank you for this, a lot of things seem more accessable now. You are a true inspiration. I am from Croatia, studying Environmental sciences, but trying to be involved in marine science as much as I can. Maybe one day I will go to Bahamas to do internship :DDD really, great video, you helped a lot
This is crazy because I’m 15 almost 16, growing up in Illinois. I’ve always been interested in traveling, the world, the way it works, & animals. Going to Hawaii when I was 12 REALLY sparked my interest. I’ve been looking and gaining much information on wildlife biologists, marine biologists, etc. I hope to be where you are one day!!
you're so beautiful! and this was such a helpful video thank you! 💗💗
Hi, thank you so much, this was super helpful!
WAHHH I WENT TO MAUI OCEAN CENTER DURING MY FIRST OUT OF TWO HAWAII TRIPS WHEN I WAS 5 OR 6 AND I LOVED ITT that hawaii trip was definitely my first time falling in love with marine biologyy I found a cup we got from there a few months ago and it made me so happy and now its holding my pens on my desk wahhh this feels like such a full circle moment😭
This is my dream job I want to help and do conservation preferably in the ocean, but I was never good at math and chemistry in HS so the schooling is freaking me out a little as I research it but I still want to try! :)
You should go. Its not the end of the world if you get a lower grade than you want.
After a few years working, gades dont matter.
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience! I am a graduating junior student and i want to learn what i need to do ahead of time... I have a passion for the ocean and the life within it, with that i wanted to pursue marine biologist. ❤
Hello, what company group/ internship did you do the Bahamas?
I loved this video🥰
Really great video, and thanks for the perspective. It's a real bummer how much of a ceiling you hit with just undergraduate degrees. I double majored in biology and environmental science, did three years of zookeeping internships and volunteering, and I can't find anything in my wheelhouse paying more than $18/hr. Been working in an unrelated field for five years now because of the ridiculous cost of living. I'm curious if you know anyone that's had success making things work without a graduate degree?
Moannaaaaa MAKE WAYYYYY MAKE WAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Thank you for you story. Very helpful for my journey. I have a a question about your salary before you decided to get your masters. Was that the only reason you decided to get your masters? You wanted to earn more money?
I want to become a marine biologist. I have earned my bachelors in biology but I don’t have any experience and I’m just working a dead end job right now (that has nothing to do with marine science). Do you have any tips? I would like to begin working toward my goals asap.
Aloha Tre', thanks for the great question.
The answer is yes and no. I was able to have a successful career as a marine biologist with a bachelors degree for several years. At that time in my life, I preferred a more nomadic lifestyle and enjoyed active working conditions.
However, after moving to Hawai'i, it became very apparent that I could not support myself financially and save up for a home here unless I had a higher-paying position. This is the main reason why I opted to get my Masters degree at that time. However, I do not regret getting a few years of work experience before returning to university - I feel it gave me a better understanding of the industry and reality outside of academia.
BUT, I have always known that I wanted to pursue a masters and hopefully a PHD at some point in my career .. so I had intrinsic reasons too. S0, my decision was a reflection on my location (not everywhere I've worked had such high cost of living), extrinsic goals (to purchase a home and have a more stable career), and intrinsic goals (wanting a PHD).
it’s always been a dream of mine to pursue a career in marine science and share the ocean with others, but i’m the type of person who HATES math and i’m not the biggest science fan. i love learning about the oceans and what i can do to protect them, but i don’t know if that’s enough to make it as a marine biologist. it’s such a competitive job with not many job offers unless you have a ton of experience under your belt. i’ll probably just stick to the safe side and become an oceanography teacher :)
Aloha Italia! :)
The wonderful part of marine sciences and ocean conservation is that there are SO many different directions you can take in the field.
For example, I am currently an "Education Director" instead of a research scientist. Although my background is heavily science-based, most of my director colleagues have a background in public education, business and management.
It sounds like you are interested in the education and conservation side of things, which is another route you can take that isn't necessarily math/science based. You could go into public outreach education or be an event coordinator for conservation programs. There are plenty of cool opportunities that allow you to teach and protect the ocean :)
Medam I m from India I want become marine biologist and I have done my MSc in MARINE BIOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY I want to do PhD in Hawaii what is the procedure
How do you go about finding these jobs? I am a recent college graduate and i am struggling with finding a job that I love and finding the hope that I will eventually end up in a well paying role. A dream would be to become a teacher/professor and still be able to conduct research. I would love any advice at all thank you so much!
Graduated with a B.S. in marine biology from UCSC
Aloha Nadira, that is the million dollar question (literally! haha). I think many of us in this industry have discovered that Marine Sciences (along with environmental sciences, conservation, wildlife biology, etc.) does not typically yield a lucrative career. There is a phrase here that "we may not make much money, but we live where people vacation." This mentality reflects the disparity between a fulfilling career and our earnings. My career is no exception; my salary in Hawaii is far less than identical jobs in other parts of the world, or a career in a different field at my experience level. But I love my job and my home, so I consider it an acceptable trade-off. It's something you will always have to ask yourself when you look at different career options.
Marine Science can also be extremely competitive, which discourages many people from pursuing it. This is largely due to it being a "fun" job, which results in most of the entry-level efforts going to unpaid volunteers instead of paid employees. It's not glamorous, but filling up your resume with unpaid experience can give you an edge when applying to paid roles down the line. Not saying its great, but it's the route that I took; lots of unpaid internships & volunteering on my resume.
I also discovered early on, with the help of some wonderful mentors, that making professional connections and collaborating with recognized individuals/organizations in your area is a major bonus on a resume. Not to mention those connections can last a lifetime and provide an incredible wealth of knowledge!
Some words of encouragement while searching for a job:
1. Remember that the title "Marine Biologist" is a buzzword, and hiring entities rarely post "marine biologist" jobs. Ocean scientists and public educators have all kinds of job titles, so make sure you search for different titles to see what you might be missing. I call myself a Marine Biologist here because it's my training and overall job background, but my current title is "Education Director." I've also been a marine naturalist, underwater surveyor, scuba diving instructor, biological technician, communications specialist, aquarist, boat deckhand/crew, and public outreach teacher. Lots of things to look for :)
2. Never underestimate the power of some good work/volunteer/internship experience. It's surprising how frequently hiring entities overlook the details of your degree (crazy I know!), and look into your real-life experience instead. This shows a lot about you. Each one is so beneficial to your career development and professional outlook.
3. If you want to go the teaching route, I would definitely find a mentor that is an educator (academia or public outreach, depending on where your interest is). They can give you lots of support and advice on how they got there, and connect you to the right programs/organizations.
4. And lastly, persistence is key! Don't be discouraged. It took me a few years to get my bearings in Marine Science to develop enough experience to start getting paid. Keep it up! You're almost there!
@@KaimanaConservation WOW, I never really thought to simply look under different jobs titles bc marine biology is a buzzword!! This was so so so helpful thank you so much for your encourage words of advice!!
@@KaimanaConservation it seems COVID has really taken a toll on Marine Science jobs in my area. I think a lot of discouragement stems from that. I am excited to have the opportunities to volunteer/intern when it’s over!
@@nadiraweerasekara1131 I'm glad that helps to expand the search! Good luck!
This is such a very motivational video I really enjoy hearing your side of the story of how you became a marine biologist and it’s insane and interesting to hear other people’s stories and they all have different backgrounds of how they become marine biologist themselves. For me as someone who is also trying to get into marine biology I am more looking forward to the adventures and the future I’ll see once I’ve really gone through my side of my journey to be a marine biologist not only am I excited for working with the ocean but working in a lab and discovering new things. I understand it’s not an easy way but I am here for the roller coaster of my adventures to begin. ❤🎉 🥼 👨🏻🔬
Hi there. I wanted to reach out because I needed some guidance. I graduated with a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. I did various internships during school including one with a rescue and rehab center in northern Virginia. I worked as a waitress for a bit to support myself after graduation and through COVID. I recently move down to Florida to get a chance to volunteer with an aquarium on their boat tours and rescue team. I wanted to find out if you had any recommendations on whether a naturalist position would be a good step. I have been looking at jobs in Hawaii that I can use my skills for, but I don't have much experience with public speaking and it makes me very nervous. Right now I only have gave to face experience through customer service and helping Marine Biologists on their boat tours.
Any advice you can give would really help with trying to find the next step in my journey. Thanks!
Just graduated with a BS in Environmental Science and looking to go into marine research! How long do you think I should intern or volunteer before applying for marine jobs?
Aloha! Great question :)
I personally think you should diversify your applications and apply to both! If your resume is ready and the company likes you, then you may get hired to a paid position right away.
If the jobs you are applying to require a little more experience, then you can simultaneously be applying to good internship/volunteer experience, that will look great on your resume for future positions.
You won't know if you are ready if you don't try :)
@@KaimanaConservation Thank you!
Hey! I really love this video it encouraged me a lot. I don’t have any degree in science, I’m majored in law, but it has always been my dream to work in a ocean related field. Could you please make another video sharing how lawyers or any others who does not have a science related degree, get into this field? 👍
Thank you so much for this video . It answered a lot of my questions . See I love the whole thing about becoming a marine biologist but I’m like scared of me getting into it and then not liking it or because of the low pay that this career kinda gives you . But If I do continue to do this career ( bc I’m only 14 ) uh do you have any helpful tips if I wanted to work in Hawaii as a Marine Biologist?
Some questions, how were your travel and education expenses paid for? I’ve heard about governments, private companies, and universities giving grants for scientists for those kinds of things but im not sure! Also, did you have to work a job on the side?
Hi Jessica!! I love your videos! I have always had a passion for marine biology! I originally went to a college in florida to major in marine biology but so many people discouraged me and only told me about the lack of pay. I ended up moving back home to Illinois and I am about to complete my BS in Biology, I was going down the medical path until recently when I decided that I will only be happy with myself if I pursue a career in marine biology! After watching this video, I have finally figured out that this is what I want to do. Pursue a career in marine science and education!
I have been looking for master's programs in marine science and management in the US, but I have not found much. Also, I have been looking for internships where I can do both. From what I found it's either research or education. Unfortunately, I do not have the financial help to go to Australia, although that sounded like an amazing opportunity! Do you have any insight or tips for me to get started in a career like yours?
So you became a marine biologist without a masters degree !?
Haha, as crazy as it sounds, it IS possible! I did also work other types of environmental science jobs too like a field surveyor and biological technician. They all lent themselves to a strong resume :)
I took a lot of pre-reqs in college at university of Oregon even took a few trips out to the Oregon coast during college because that’s what I wanted to do congratulations on for fulfilling your dream. I ended up going a different direction but I’ve always wondered what it would’ve been like if I continued
hey! I graduated from L&C in oregon and i’m looking to change my career. i was thinking of doing a second bachelors in marine biology and I was wondering what made you switch and what do you do now? :)
@@kalexander00 honestly, I think it was a lot of the lab work vs actual field work at the beginning that I wasn’t prepared for. I wasn’t willing to put in the amount of lab and research on the front end and the pay was very minimal and very competitive space. Now after all these years I found myself owning and starting a speech therapy business with my wife and I also do commercial real estate transactions. Busy with a wife and running a household with 4 kids and two businesses. Life is interesting how it unfolds for you
Well done, Jessica.
Hi, Maddy, I am in my first year of university and I want to pursue Marine Biology. I was thinking about getting my master's right after and then joining the military for 2-4 years. Do you have any tips on places to seek work where I can spend the most time in the field? As well as who to contact in terms of internship places.
Hi my name is Akash
I am study in marine biologist
I like your video
This was so inspirational to listen to! I've wanted to go into marine biology for forever but have always been a little nervous just because I don't know much about the career lifestyle and it has always been portrayed to me as extremeley difficult. Still, I'm wrapping up my first year as a biology major at UCLA and was considering to applying for a marine biology field quarter in Moorea, but watching this definitely confirmed that I want to go on that trip and just try things out (like you said cross it off the bucket list) and see where things go! Thanks for making this video - brb gonna go work on that application ;)
What is it like at UCLA as a bio major, from someone from socal interested in marine bio it seems like a good start
@@trinityfitzgerald4251 so far it’s been only online but I’m really liking it! At UCLA there’s a ton of different bio specialties to choose from or you can stick to general biology which is what I’m doing. I’ve been lucky and have had really good profs too. Plus the thing I like about UCLA is how it’s strong overall instead of being really good for one thing so that way I can explore different interests really easily
I want too do that be a Marine biologist ?. .
Appreciate you so much for this video. I’ve been struggling to find exactly what I want in a career and you just explained many avenues so for that I’m grateful.
How old were you when you began your volunteer work? I am 24 now and thinking seriously about pursuing marine biology/conservation but I've heard a lot of people say it is a long road, with having to do both the academics and volunteer and internship experience. I know I am still young but Im also a bit nervous to start on a career path that I feel like I should've started right after high school! 😅
Aloha Xandria, great question! I know that taking the leap into marine sciences, or any kind of conservation career, can be quite intimidating.
To answer your question, I did a few internships throughout my college career (ages 16-21), and did a lot of volunteer work during late college, and into the early years post-bachelors (so roughly 18 and on). However, it's important to note that I STILL do volunteer work with different organizations on Maui whenever I get the chance. It is a great way to make professional connections and accrue knowledge about your field ... even if it's part time while you have another career to support you financially.
When I was younger, I was still determining what careers were ideal for me, and which ones I didn't prefer. So these experiences helped me to narrow down a future career path. However, I know several marine science professionals who began their careers as something else entirely! (Ex. geologists, veterinarians, phycologists, police officers, etc.) They were well into their other careers when they decided to become marine scientists or public educators.
In my opinion, the most significant thing to consider before "diving in" is that volunteer opportunities & internships typically don't provide financial support. So make sure that you are able to support yourself financially with another job or accumulate some savings before committing.
And remember, not all ocean-based learning opportunities involve trekking to the opposite side of the world and living in a remote hut for 9 months. Sometimes it's as easy as donating a few hours a week to a local organization after work.
That being said, it is NEVER too late to choose a career that you love! Doing your research (and asking questions like this) is half the battle. Stay committed and keep up the good work! I know you will find great opportunities out there that are perfect for you and your new career goals
@@KaimanaConservation thank you so so much for your advice! I immediately clicked on your video because living in Hawaii has also been a dream of mine since I was 7, and they just seem to go hand in hand in my opinion ❤️ but you have so much wisdom, especially about your field, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It really helps and I hope I can find what's right for me 😊
@@KaimanaConservation hhipphh
@@KaimanaConservation nnbn
Hi Xandria!
I just read your comment and could totally relate. I am 24 right now and finishing my bachelors degree in product design. I am doing my thesis about 3D printing artificial reefs for restoration purposes and was working as a marine conservation volunteer in Fiji for 4 months last year. Apart from that I have zero experience within the field of marine conservation and I don't really know how to start my career within that field because I don't have the financial support to do a second bachelors. I was wondering what experiences you had during the past year and if you found your way into marine conservation?
So the salary made on your environmental science degree wasn’t enough to sustain living in Hawaii, so you had to go back to school to further your education so you can be eligible for a higher paying job? Or did you need to study something else to be eligible for a higher paying job? Just want to make sure I made sense of the information correctly ☺️
Kaimana Conservation
• 1 second ago
Aloha there! great question :)
The answer is yes and no. I was able to have a successful career as an environmental scientist and marine biologist with a bachelors degree for several years. At that time in my life, I preferred a more nomadic lifestyle and enjoyed active working conditions.
However, after moving to Hawai'i, it became very apparent that I could not support myself financially and save up for a home here unless I had a higher-paying position. This is the main reason why I opted to get my Masters degree at that time. However, I do not regret getting a few years of work experience before returning to university - I feel it gave me a better understanding of the industry and reality outside of academia.
BUT, I have always known that I wanted to pursue a masters and hopefully a PHD at some point in my career .. so I had intrinsic reasons too. S0, my decision was a reflection on my location (not everywhere I've worked had such high cost of living), extrinsic goals (to purchase a home and have a more stable career), and intrinsic goals (wanting a PHD).
I watch a ton of your video's because they are fun and enjoyable. My wife and I got the opportunity to ride your yellow boat over to Lani in 2019 - and loved the trip. The advise is good - your dream is what you live for - but tell kids to plan accordingly and don't get too much in debt. A dream is no good if you can't live it.
Aloha Greg, thats so wonderful to hear :)
I couldn't agree more. I've got a few ideas for upcoming videos on the realities of becoming/being a marine biologist - the details often sugar coated or left out altogether. Getting to my current position was no cakewalk O_o
Hi Jessica - have you ever done any TV documentary work as a marine biologist?
Aloha Kevin, yes I have. I've done consultation work for several TV documentary series, and I've featured one 1 recently on Hulu about sharks in Maui. :)
Such an informative video! It is my dream to become a marine conservationist and this video was very inspiring! I was wondering how you landed the job at the Fiji diving resort and what was your "job title"? Did you contact the resort immediatley or did you see an advertisement for this job somewhere? Was it a paid or volunteer-based position?
Aloha Fedra! I'm glad you got some inspiration from this video. It's incredible to virtually meet the next generation of marine biologists and conservationists like you here on TH-cam!
The job in Fiji was actually one I found while searching online between seasonal jobs in the Bahamas. I was really wish I could give you a "secret method," but the truth is I was just searching everything from diving jobs to conservation volunteer work to work-trade opportunities. I lucked out when I found a job opening for a divemaster (who could also lead the resort's conservation programs) while looking at their internships and volunteer work page. Perfect combo and good timing!
And my job title and pay changed over time depending on what I was doing and what training I was receiving. Dive guide, divemaster, dive instructor, conservation program coordinator, outreach coordinator, etc. It was a job of many titles. While training I was working off the payments for training, once I got my certifications then I started earning wages again. It was a small isolated island so the resort covered room and board and food. A common trade-off in the dive industry when earning your certifications.
@@KaimanaConservation Thanks for all your explanations! I love how many different jobs you have actually done (from dive guide to outreach coordinator). It looks like some jobs you did in the past didn't really have anything to do with conservation (like dive instructor)? Do you still think these types of jobs are worth doing if you are pursuing a marine conservation career? In June I'll commence with my master's in conservation biology. Do you suggest becoming a divemaster right after I have finished this degree? Will it be worth it to spend my money on the divemaster training? Or is it enough to become an Advanced Open Water diver? What is your opinion about this? Thanks again for your answer to my questions. It is so nice to be able to reach out to someone who is working in my "dreamwork field" XD I think you really did something great by starting this TH-cam channel
@@fedraherman2276 Yes its been quite a versatile career to be sure!
Although some of my jobs were not always directly related to conservation, many of them were indirectly related, or have helped by being a stepping stone to my ultimate career goal. (Ex. I got my scuba instructor certification so I could teach fish and coral identification classes to scuba divers).
Getting your divemaster and instructors are certainly time consuming & financial commitments, so it's important to reflect on how you see your career going first.
Do you want to teach or provide conservation opportunities underwater like reef cleanups or coral surveys to monitor bleaching events? If so, then having a high level cert in professional scuba diving (DM & DI) is usually recommended or compulsory. If you envision working out of the water, then a diving background may not be necessary. You may find that your ideal career may require more of a business management background, or children's development & education, etc. This is where visualizing your career goals really comes in handy. :)
@@KaimanaConservation My ultimate goal is to be able to dive a lot for my job :) I definitely see myself provide conservation opportunities underwater, like cleanups and I would love to survey coral reefs and monitor the health of these ecosystems :) So I guess It will be worth it for me to get those higher diving certificates. Right after I graduate with my master's degree I'll try and get these certificates. Thanks for all the advice!
I'm going to BYU Hawaii in the winter. And this video got me pumped to get started!
I am about to finish my undergraduate degree in communication studies. So, that means I do not have any credits in biology or other related coursework. However, I have always had an appreciation for the ocean and am interesting in pursuing a career in marine biology. Do you have any tips or advice on how I could get started?
Hi there! Congratulations on your degree - communications is a HUGE part of a successful conservation effort. People cannot save what they don't know about first. In many cases, it's the educators and communicators and journalists that get the important messages out there for the world to hear - not the scientists. Where would we all be if we didn't learn about the ocean from our teachers, watch ocean documentaries and read articles about how you can make a difference in your own life?
Remember, marine BIOLOGY is just one tiny part of the big picture - don't underestimate what you can do with that degree in the field of marine conservation. You might have the most important job of all - sharing what you know with the world! :)
I can’t tell my parents that I want to be a marine biologist because..well I don’t want to disappoint them once again… I am dreading the day when I have to go to collage and tell them that I want to be a marine biologist!😑😑😑😩😩😩
I'm sorry to hear that. Like I mentioned in this video, my family didn't always understand my desire to work in environmental conservation (land or sea), so I felt unsupported early on in my education. (Of course they didn't mean to be, but they were concerned about me being able to support myself in a career ... which is a valid concern for this field).
This is why my first degree was in Environmental Sciences instead of Marine Sciences. To this day, I do not regret the decision to major in Environmental Sciences (or similar fields like biology, chemistry, etc) as it gave me more options after graduation. Besides, there are a lot of similarities between studying terrestrial and marine ecosystems. You learn a lot of the same material that can be applied to both. Along with taking some specialty courses in ocean-related topics, you would be just as employable in the field as if you had a marine bio major.
I have found that over time, my parents - especially my mom - are some of my biggest supporters now. They are making BIG changes in their own lives to conserve the ocean based on what I've taught them. Its really special to see such a dramatic turn around :)
Good luck!
Hey your video was beautiful and inspiring im gonna pursue msc marine biology this academic year in India in Andaman. Like thats the best choice I have right now but I would still love to hear your advice if I'm taking the right step like should I do a scuba course side by side something like that
Aloha! Thank you for your kind words :)
Thats awesome, congrats on the MSC in Marine Bio, that is a HUGE step!
I took my first scuba course in college "for fun" with friends. At the time, I never thought that scuba diving would be a significant part of my career. Just a fun hobby that would bring me closer to the ocean. Ultimately, it was an integral part of my studies ,and eventually the field work in my early career.
Scuba diving isn't necessary for every marine bio career, but it does look good in a resume and can be helpful (or necessary) in certain positions.
I would say that as long as taking the diving course(s) doesn't distract you from your studies, go for it! Take the open water scuba diver first and see how you like it. Once certified, go diving with friends and get comfortable underwater. If you enjoy it, then you can continue earning scuba certifications at a higher level (Advanced Scuba, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, etc.).
As you continue your studies in marine bio and start honing in on a career path, it should become apparent whether or not you will need to dive for work ... or just for fun!
@@KaimanaConservation Thank you so much for your advice and wish you a happy career
Hey I want to purse a career in marine biology can you please guide me I have no idea about it
Please
@@divyanshirawat5038 what are you currently studying
I feel like this channel is so underrated. You made a amazing video . Any tips for a 13 year old who lives no where near a ocean/sea/ or very water in general?
Aww, thank you so much! I am glad to hear that you are getting some good information out of it. :)
Just because you aren't close to the sea doesn't mean you can't have good learning experiences. Definitely broaden your ocean-based education by listening to podcasts, taking online courses, watching free webinars (really big now since the pandemic), etc.
And don't forget that you can get relevant experience inland by volunteering in environmental and biological roles.
Good luck!
@@KaimanaConservation Thank you so much . One thing I actually started doing this summer was volunteering at my local zoo. Not many marine creatures but its fun and some to put on my resume
@@L_The_Human great step! that kind of experience still looks great on a resume! and you will pick up surprisingly relevant experience during your time there, even if it's land animals instead of marine. Keep it up!
@@KaimanaConservation thank you 😊 . It's been a lot of work but also a lot of fun and I've had a lot of amazing experiences and new friends❤
So I’m 29 living in Washington state and I’m an army vet I moved here for work even though I wanted to be a marine biologist I took a job in the aerospace industry which is like hell most of the time for me I love the ocean but haven’t really had the opportunity I want to enjoy it but I didn’t go to college for it because I was a little scared to be honest I think I’m gonna give it a shot now but know it might actually be the hardest thing I ever do since math was my weakest subject in school anyways any advice or tips would be awesome plus I want to get my degree in Hawaii so college suggestions would be cool, I’m obviously gonna have to settle things here first like financially and vehicles and stuff so yeah just want advice.
Aloha! Mahalo for your service :)
Thats actually interesting that you brought up the aerospace industry, I have a colleague that works in that industry as a marine scientist and scuba diver. He trains with astronauts on "zero-gravity" scenarios underwater, and performs pressure related research for their suits. Pretty cool stuff! Definitely check it out if you are interested. :)
When I attended university, mathematics and chemistries were my most difficult courses. I really had to study hard to succeed in those classes. But if you are motivated, then you can definitely do it!
If it's been a while since you've taken courses, might I suggest taking a math refresher course or two at a local college before diving back into full coursework? I was out of college for a few years before returning for my masters ... and it was a bit of a shock haha. In hind-sight I wish I had a little more preparation and self-study before jumping back into it.
Good luck!
Yep nice place to do your work. Cool
I’m a terrible person for saying this but she oozes spoiled brat imo.
Hahaha, ouch! 😅 Sorry you feel that way.
Guess its a good thing I'm employed based on my merit and not your opinion.
I could have shared all of my negative experiences & struggles as a young female scientist, but I prefer to stay positive.
@@KaimanaConservation everyone’s ooohhing and aaahhing in the comments for good reason. Because your journey isn’t one most have the opportunity to take without cash money. My favorite part was when you complained you couldn’t afford to stay on a Hawaiian island so you flew to Australia and got your masters. Do you know how outrageously out of reach that is for the majority of Americans?
@@vhockada never said it was easy, it's a tough road - but worth it if you are passionate & persistent.
I worked hard for my plane tickets, earned a scholarship for my thesis, and worked full time to afford my rent. No one is getting handouts here, and I lived paycheck to paycheck for many years.
But to your credit, you do bring up a big challenge in this field - it's expensive, competitive, and entry level jobs are often catered out to willing volunteers, unpaid internships, or even paid opportunities because it's "fun" and people will "buy" the experience instead of the other way around.
I think it's a shame that this career is becoming less and less accessible to those who are passionate about the ocean, simply because they cannot afford to get a foot in the door.
Wow your comment is so rude. This is her story and she did the work to make in the field. It's not her fault shit is expensive.
Worry about yourself
hello,is there any community of marine biologist? im marine biologist too from indonesia.
Aloha Grace! There are several online platforms for marine scientists :)
I love listening to everyone's professional success stories on LinkedIn. I would highly recommend signing up for some FB groups too. I'm in several - like "Marine Biologist network and job postings." It's a great way to keep in touch, get inspired, and make long-lasting professional connections.
Great video this helped a lot, I’m 15 and I really want to go to school in Hawaii and become a marine biologist
I’m here with you 15 dreaming of being a Marine Biologist ❤️
how longer were you in the bahamas? and if you dont mind i want to geta idea how much a marine bio makes like you?
Aloha Lina! Check out the latest video about a "day in the life" as a marine biologist at the Maui Ocean Center! th-cam.com/video/t9qWL3xaplg/w-d-xo.html
Hey Kaimana,
Thanks for this video. I graduated college two years a fo with a Liberal Arts degree, the last two years a go I was a professional athlete, in other words.. I have no science or aquatic background.
I recently retired from athletics, and I realized through travel that I want to become a Marine Biologist. How do you suggest I get started (with no science or proper education background for the field). I have saved up $$ and am physically and mentally fit, and have no wife or kids or anything, so I am very free to explore.
Thank you!
Aloha Chris!
What a cool career, sounds exciting! I know lots of marine scientists and other ocean-related careers that didn't originally begin with a "relevant" degree. For example, my partner Bryan has a degree in Music & Sound Engineering ... who knew!? If you come from a non-science background you can do one of two things: 1 - go back to school and get a science degree, or 2 - start volunteering & interning in relevant fields to get experience. Bryan (for example) began working in Alaska as a deckhand and now drives a boat professionally.
A lot also depends on just how "scientific" you would like to go with your new career direction. If you want to go into Marine Biology or another science & research related field, you could probably enroll at a university for a few semesters and get some of the relevant coursework for a science degree (Liberal Arts is a great stepping stone into a lot of different majors). Most undergraduate science degrees require a few mandatory courses like chemistry, statistics, biology, etc., as well a few electives more specific to the degree like aquatic ecology, ichthyology or marine mammalogy, etc. Each university is different, but you could probably communicate with their enrollment department to figure out how much you could transfer for your 1st degree, and what you would need to fulfill an additional degree.
If you are less interested in the science aspect, but still want to work on the water, there are a TON of routes you could go! I would definitely recommend you go watch my other video called "How to Work with the Ocean: an overview of marine science jobs" to get some inspiration on all of the different ways to work on water. See if any of those sound appealing. Using myself as an example, I have worked in science with a relevant degree, but I have also worked as a scuba diving instructor (separate certification bodies - not university), on boats (usually learned work experience - captains need licenses), and in public education (started with volunteering - now the primary role in my career).
I hope this helps!
Is marine biology different from oceanography? I want to do oceanography but I actually don’t know much about it
Marine biology is one of the branches of the oceanography
Aloha Shreya! Great question :) Oceanography and marine biology are similar but not identical fields. I actually have a video on the different types of fields you can go into if you want to work with the ocean, check it out!
th-cam.com/video/N4d6YRKEaxg/w-d-xo.html
Hi! I love your video, and i just wanna ask if the work is in demand? I really want to be a marine biologist but in afraid that i may end up teaching in college/not having a job and tha pay might be low. Btw im from the philippines
Aloha Jessica! Great question, and it is a difficult one to answer, depending on what kind of career you are interested in. You mentioned not wanting to teach, but that is actual a direction you CAN go as a marine biologist, and can be a very big part of a marine scientists' job description.
So first and foremost, it's very important to narrow down what you DO like vs. what you DON'T, and use that list to find your preferred jobs.
I personally prefer to interact with people and educate others about the importance of the ocean and its inhabitants, so I left research in favor of becoming a marine science educator. I also found that in my part of the world, there were more jobs as outreach educators vs. strictly research-based.
There are so many different pathways you can choose, definitely start by narrowing down your options :)
@@KaimanaConservation thank you so muchh!
No matter what, you are always bettering your self. Absolutely incredible!
Mahal Jessica for that blog! I am taking marine biology here in Brigham Young University in Oahu. Can you tell us more of what you do while working at the Maui Ocean Center?
Aloha Zaphiee! Thats awesome, congrats on diving into your marine biology degree! There are some awesome projects over on Oahu right now.
Yes, I am definitely planning on doing a video at the Maui Ocean Center now that we have re-opened. Stay tuned for an MOC tour! Let me know if there is anything in particular you are interested in knowing, or if you have any questions you want me to answer.
How did you afford becoming a marine biologist?
Aloha Lia! That is the million-dollar question, isn't it?
Without a doubt, "fun," outdoorsy careers like marine bio are more difficult to get into. This is mostly to do with their popularity - not only within the degreed population, but also the general public.
In my early years, I did a lot of volunteering and internships to put experience on my resume. I volunteered outside of my primary job, I opted for roles that weren't as popular but still important to learn. This helps not only to gain experience but also to network within the organizations and "level-up" to a paid position.
I also took advantage of internship opportunities that covered my food and board expenses, so I wasn't spending money, but wasn't losing money either. Essentially, I was a nomad for a few years while I gained valuable experience.
After a few years of being financially stagnant, I was able to create a well-rounded resume based on these experiences and got hired in better-paying positions. Now I have a great marine science career and I'm financially stable.
Long story short - it's not a career where success comes easily or quickly, but if you are committed and fiscally responsible, you'll find a successful career :)
I’m about to visit Maui is there anyway I can learn more about this
Aloha Bryanna, I hope you are excited to come visit Maui! It's a beautiful island.
Definitely check out some of my other videos on diving our reefs and exploring tide pools and beaches out here. :)
I want to be you
How did pay work internationally?
Aloha Matt! Great question. I think that some companies/organizations will try and recruit employees internationally and pay them ... questionably haha! However, every time I've worked outside of the US (Ex. Bahamas, Fiji, Australia), I had a work permit issued by the country I was working in. These permits are typically sponsored by the hiring company.
Alternatively, if you are interning or volunteering your time in a foreign country and are not being paid (or doing a work exchange for food and lodging), then a work permit is not always necessary.
Please note - it's super important to know the rules and regulations of the country you planning to work in. Definitely don't want to get tangled up in any illegal activities on an international level :/
How did you afford all of these qualifications?
Great question, and I wish I had an easy answer. The truth is ... it took a LONG time and a LOT of hard work to get to where I am. After college, I focused on finding internships that covered food & lodging in exchange for experience and volunteer opportunities that I could do during my free-time while supporting myself financially with an entry-level positions.
I was not well-paid in the beginning, but I worked my way up over time. Persistence, perseverance and selecting roles I knew would build an effective resume for higher paid positions in the future.
This is a passion field for sure. But if you love the ocean and are intrinsically motivated to conserve it, you will definitely find the tools to make it happen. :)
Thank you very much for your response! You have great content. :) hope you continue to thrive as you have x
Hi I am 15 and I am planning to study marine biology but I can't choose any universities that are suitable for me so if I can ask for your suggestions which university is the best for studying marine biology I want to study corals so I was thinking somewhere near the barier reef in australia
Or maybe somewhere near hawaii
So can I get any suggestions on universities that I can go to study marine biology
@@asherfernandez3989
I am 17 and looking into James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. in 2017, they were the top Uni for Marine Biology in the world.
They do field trips into the water and stuff. It looks really good, although I wouldn't be studying there until February 2023 if I did go, I would say it looks like a really good option.
It may not be for you, but just do as much research as possible, looking into the course, what they provide and what interests you.
Good Luck.
Aloha Asher! Choosing a university based on your degree & career goals is a very personal choice. There are dozens of incredible universities around the world that specialize in all different kinds of marine science degrees.
Keep in mind that ocean sciences and marine biology are both HUGE fields. You can study anything from the largest whales to the smallest phytoplankton.
Each university specializes in different sub-fields. For example, universities in Oregon, California, Alaska, England and India have wonderful marine mammal programs. Good research universities for tropical coral reefs include Florida, Hawaii and Queensland. Fisheries, plankton and macro-algae studies are really good in California, Washington, Alaska, NY,Connecticut and New South Wales.
The best thing to do is really hone in on WHAT you want to do with your degree AFTER you graduate, and that will help you figure out what you want to focus your studies on while attending university. :)
Woohoo, Ferrum!!! Go Jessica! Proud of all that you are doing and have accomplished!!
Thanks Cierra! How crazy is it to think that we started our education in "landlocked" western VA at little ol' Ferrum College!? I'm still so thankful for the fabulous education & experiences I received from them. AND it's a little-known fact that Ferrum College has the 2nd oldest Environmental Science degree in the nation! Very proud to be a Panther with you!
@@KaimanaConservation If only I had followed in your footsteps after school, then I could be living the dream too!! 😍 Proud Panthers!!
What is the name of the internship in the Bahamas
Aloha Hunter, unfortunately the internship program I participated in is not running anymore. The facility was irreparably damaged in Hurricane Dorian in 2019. :/
But it was in support of the Bahamian National Trust (who is still there and operating) on Andros Island.
However, the other educational/research facility down the road is still operating.
Forfar Field Station with International Field Studies: www.intlfieldstudies.org/forfar-field-station
How many years do it take to you to become a marine biologist ?
Aloha Rox, I did 4 years as an undergraduate and an additional 2 years in a masters program (expedited). And a few years of internships and volunteer opportunities :D
Thxs
In what do you work know that you are graduated ?
Hi! I don’t know if you’ll see this, but thank you for this video. I am working on my bachelors degree to pursue my dream of working with the ocean. I don’t have a specific desire on what I want to do and every job/internship you talked about seems like a dream to me-even the whale watching. Anyway, I am curious about your thoughts on pursuing this at the age of 49. Am I crazy?! Yes, I saved the shocker for last!