Are you a marine biologist?

[DavidPT40]

Oh yeah, I agree. Though I'm sure that marine biology jobs near tropical oceans are in high demand, I haven't heard about biologists rushing to fill jobs in the Bearing Straights.

I decided a long time ago that marine biology would be much more rewarding as a hobby than as a career. I chose a different field of biology to get into that would let me live near the ocean and still make a beneficial impact.

Btw, my brother is a project manager here in the U.S. He works for about six months a year then spends the rest of his time on vacation in Thailand.

OK David but it's about supply *and* demand.

If you compare (for example) IT jobs where some positions go unfilled for months (at least where I live) because there are no qualified applicants with something like this -- 127 jobs to be shared between 30,000 unemployed marine biologists......

It's just a thought, but finding a couple of listings doesn't prove that the market is booming. If you go to the same website and type in "project manager", which is what I do, then it gives you 277,137 listings....

R..

 

[Spragg01]

Ultimately, I think drbill's advice is sound. If I were you, I'd take this opportunity to get experience in the field. Go somewhere, tough it out, live poor, get your hands dirty, and learn as many different field skills in as many different fields as you can. It will serve you well in the future, both in trade skills and (perhaps more importantly) in contacts. You have the rest of your life to be a "responsible" adult.

The key to getting work in marine bio, (or any profession that is so specialized and tightly knit) is to work. I've seen people with NO education in bio go from volunteer to making 30-40K salary in two years through hard work, showing a willingness to learn, and being flexible, and you will be starting a notch above them. That being said, any job, within this field, that you can raise a family on (good pay/benefits, stable residence and work, etc.) will all but require an advanced degree. Good luck, and have fun.

 

[grocha01]

drbill and spragg01 are exactly right - get out there and get some experience. I recently finished my marine biology degree (last year) and started doing some volunteer work for the university i was at. I went out on a field trip and helped out diving - it was great fun and taught me things i didnt learn at uni - things like how much planning is needed for a project, the various permits you need from different agencies to be able to do things, etc. It also introduced me to people from different uni's and organisations. From that, i was lucky enough to be offered a job with a particular research organisation - only a short term contract, but work as a marine biologist non the less. I got to go diving and am currently in the lab processing samples we collected. From doing that, i have made even more contacts and have assisted people with various projects - giving me experience performing different tasks using a wide range of equipment.


Dont get me wrong, jobs are extremely hard to come by here too. None of my friends have got jobs, and some have been volunteering all though their time at uni. It was my first time volunteering, but was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with the right people. Im planning on going back to uni mid way through the year to complete a further year of study, and after that make a start on a PhD.

Good luck with everything!