How do I become a marine biologist?

Question

I'm 32, no formal qualifications, or skills in this area, no practical work or field experience.

Answer 1

Considering your age, not sure of your education, but you seem to have just about nothing to head you this way. First you would have to find some sort of college and get some sort of degree in Marine biology, then get some sort of part time or permanant job as a Marine biologist. This should take only about 5 to 7 years, which would put you at 39. If you don't have any aquatic skills such as swimming scuba diving, I would take those up also.

Answer 2

I suggest that you enroll in a university with a marine biology program for starters. This field is very competitive (believe me, I know) and unless you have the proper qualifications from an accredited university, it's going to be very hard for you to get a job. If you do decide to enroll in university, make sure that you also apply for internships that are marine related. Employers and scientists love to hire people who have had field experience. Having that experience demonstrates that you are confident in working in all kinds of conditions and have gained some basic field science skills (employers love this because they know they won't have to spend as much time training you for a position).Internships are an easy way to gain field experience while also offering college credit, opportunity to travel to exciting places, and some will even pay you for your time (although, I'm not going to lie, paid internships are few and far between and if you are offered one, grab on with both hands). I also recommend picking a specialty as marine biology is a very broad field. What about the marine environment really interests you? Marine mammals, marine invertibrates, Icthyology, ocean ecology, oceanography? Find out what you would really like to focus on and be a voracious researcher. Read and research everything you can about what you are interested in. This will demonstrate to future employers that you really "know your stuff" and you are passionate about what you're doing. Be prepared to work very hard in school as well as this major will require a lot of long hours studying.
I hope this helps and I hope I didn't scare you away. Just trying to be as honest as I can. It sounds like a lot of hard work, which it is, but once you graduate, you will feel very rewarded. And when you find that job that you can't wait to wake up for every day, then all your time will be worth it.

Answer 3

Look for jobs ran by your state. Here, I noticed a job posting for a biologist to work in a hatchery. The Level I requires only a knowledge of Texas marine organism. Level II requires a more in depth knowledge.
So, you can pick up a book. You can take a few biology classes in a community college. Look for natural history museums or outdoor learning centers in your area. They may offer educational classes. There is a certification program where you earn the title of Master Naturalist. This may help and will familiarize you with aspects of local aquatic ecosystems.
Even easier to acquire is a job as a biological technician. This will give you the experience to work up. I know there are bachelor's degrees but if you have enough years experience built up, you will be competitive for a marine-bio job in a state department.
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But, if you have the money or time, I suggest a 4 year school in marine biology, fishery science, or general biolog with a marine emphasis.

Answer 4

Well, you really need to get at least a Bachelor's in Science with specialization in marine biology to be able to do this. Many agencies (Private Consulting as well as Governmental [USGS or USFW]) hire people straight out of their BS. Make sure that you get as much field and research experience as possible. Usually you can volunteer or get research assistantships in a Faculty's lab that involved in marine sciences in the institution you select. In my opinion, you should go somewhere close to the ocean so you can increase the chances of getting experience and finding a job. Preparation is key.

Answer 5

nicely, at the beginning you do no longer decide on a marine biology degree to be a dolphin coach. maximum i've got met actually have a psychology degree. the two tiers even regardless of the indisputable fact which will decide on you to have college point information in the very least, and that i understand maximum biology courses require a minimum of pre-calculus for a prerequisite for ecology type, which you will desire to have as a marine biologist. So, in intense college it is not as significant what you do, as long as you paintings troublesome sufficient to take what you opt on on the school point.

Answer 6

You can enroll in university that offers a bachelor of science degree majoring in marine biology. You can also take bachelor of science in biology and then take masters in marine biology, or work for a marine laboratory after that. That's usually the surest way to become a marine biologist. Good luck!

Answer 7

being 32 you can enroll at any university that does the subject as a Mature Student, you will probably receive financial support with course fees and you will be able to take out a student loan, uni's also have other funds that you are able to access.
Check out the link below for places that do the subject.
Good Luck and enjoy (you will never look at Seaweed in the same way again - i know i didn't!)

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

Answer 8

well u have to go to a school that specifies in that i think there is a university in california not sure though. but they do that kind of stuff. and there is one in galveston that they study in stuff like that.

Answer 9

university