Do you want to work with sea life but aren’t interested in working at an aquarium?
Hold onto your swim fins. Believe it or not, there are countless marine careers you might not have heard of. Careers relating to oceanography are actually one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
The vast majority of careers related to working with ocean life don’t actually require you to work directly with sea creatures. Instead, there are dozens of options for gaining a career by helping marine ecosystems, and you can do it while standing on dry land.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- Why you should consider a marine conservation career
- 6 marine careers working with ocean life
- How to break into the field
- Skills you need to know
Why Should You Consider Marine Conservation Careers?
The ocean is a big place, and jobs relating to its care are booming. The career growth for zoologists and wildlife biologist positions alone are expected to grow by 8% through 2034. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
Other marine careers working with ocean life all relate to the same goal: keeping our oceans healthy. Climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction all threaten the ocean we know and love. And they require people with a diverse set of skills to stop.
You don’t need to have a degree in marine biology to take on a career related to the ocean. In fact, studying for an online marine biology degree can help open your opportunities to marine conservation careers if you’re working or gaining experience in another career field right now.
Additionally, the need for ocean-related jobs is only expected to increase. The Ocean Panel projects that by 2050 jobs relating to the ocean could grow by 51 million. Now that’s a lot of career opportunities!
6 Marine Jobs Working With Ocean Life
Working with ocean life may include tons of options you never considered. Take a look at these six marine careers:
Marine Data Analyst
Data is important in every career field, but conservation efforts are propelled by good data. Marine data analysts are just what they sound like: analysts that focus on facts and figures relating to our ocean and its ecosystem. This can range from counting the number of fish within a certain area to water temperatures, pollution amounts, and more.
Policy analysts need people that understand how to read, organize, and create spreadsheets. If you have strong analytical skills, consider this as a front-running career option!
Sustainable Fisheries Consultant
One of the biggest issues the ocean faces is overfishing. Fish populations are being emptied out around the world, which is why sustainable fisheries consultants are in high demand. As a consultant, you will work with businesses to develop plans that ensure fishing companies and local fish populations can thrive.
These professionals work with commercial fishing companies, government organizations, international trade relations, and more. Bridging the gap between commerce and conservation is key!
Marine Policy Advocate
Want to help change policies surrounding our ocean? A marine policy advocate is a perfect career for you.
Policy advocates help nonprofits, government organizations, and international jurisdictions develop better policies surrounding fishing laws, pollution, reef protection, and more. While having a background in marine biology can be helpful, many of these jobs require knowledge in law, communications, or public administration.
Coastal Restoration Project Manager
The reality is that coastlines are disappearing. From mangroves to salt marshes to coral reefs, these important ecosystems are vanishing at unprecedented rates. Project managers help to not only oversee restoration efforts but help build them from the ground up.
Project managers will typically work with a budget, a team of volunteers, outside organizations, and local communities to help restore coastlines. If you have experience or skills surrounding project management and leading a team, this might be a great career fit!
Marine Technology Developer
Technology is having a huge role in how we study and protect our ocean. If you work in a technology-based field, there are marine careers that can use your current skills!
Marine technology is rapidly growing and can consist of anything that helps study or protect the ocean. Developments include everything from underwater robotics to cellphone applications that help fishermen know where they can and cannot go.
Ocean Education Specialist
As adults, we know how important it is to take care of our ocean, but what about children? Ocean education specialists help not only educate the youth on how important the ocean is but also develop programs and workshops that focus on wildlife.
These career opportunities are perfect for people who have experience in teaching, content creation, communications, or marketing. You might not be in the ocean as much, but you’ll be helping to educate the future!
How to Break into Marine Careers Without Marine Biology Experience
If you don’t have experience in marine biology, that doesn’t mean you can’t break into the field of marine careers. Here are some tips on how to get your foot in the door.
Volunteer
Sometimes the best way to find a job is to volunteer. Assisting with local beach clean ups, participating in bi-monthly citizen science efforts, or volunteering with habitat restoration are great ways to meet others in the field you’re interested in. Many job opportunities come from who you know and surround you. Gain experience by volunteering.
Online Courses
While we know volunteering and gaining experience is one of the best ways to find a job, that doesn’t mean you can’t assist your application along. Look into taking online courses that can certify you in skills like GIS mapping, data analysis, or even project management. Skills like these can easily transfer to a career in conservation.
Search for Related Jobs
Just because you don’t see your dream job title doesn’t mean it’s not out there. Look for jobs that you can learn on the job, like communication, fundraising, and even operational jobs within marine organizations. You’ll be helping the cause and surrounding yourself with knowledgeable professionals.
Network
Network, network, network. Look for conferences you can attend, find professional organizations that you can join, or even search for ocean-related groups on LinkedIn. The more people you know in the field you’re interested in, the better your chances are of hearing about a job opening.
Skills You Need to Know
When it comes to marine careers, there are skills that will never go out of style.
- Communication: If you can’t communicate your knowledge to others, why do you have it? Whether you’re writing a grant or talking to local officials about policy, you need to be able to communicate.
- Project Management: Conservation doesn’t happen without someone directing operations. If you know how to manage projects or programs, you’re a desirable candidate.
- Data: Data is everything and being able to understand how to read, analyze, and even create infographics to display data is crucial.
- Cross-Cultural Communications: When dealing with ocean conservation, you’ll find yourself working with lots of different people. Whether that’s local communities or international governments, you need to be culturally aware.
- Adaptability: This job will throw you curves. You need to be able to adapt to changing environments.
Wrapping Up
Careers relating to the ocean go far beyond marine biology and animal care. There are so many career opportunities out there that can use your skills and experience. Your passion for the ocean and its wildlife can be applied to many different industries.
Now it’s time to take the plunge and see what marine careers work for you!
