A family member is looking for a job in this field, and not having had much luck over the last year, I thought I’d ask around. They’ve got a 1st class undergrad degree, and although no Masters, did a gap year part way through the course, researching something at a top research facility. I know little about the subject, would be grateful for any suggestions of good employers please!

Cheers

massive oversupply of graduates to opportunities- i bet there are more graduates each year than their are people employed in that industry in this country so it wont be easy

I would imagine the majority work in either
1. sea life type environment
2. Academia

Yeah, seems to be conclusion I was coming to. Every interview has 50 candidates applying for it. 🙁

MMO on a seismic boat.

My cousin is a marine biologist, apparently he is a specialist in the field of phytoplankton. Never had a proper job. :-), been lecturing pretty much since leaving uni.

Does your family member have any particular field they want to work in – mammal conservation, fisheries, engineering projects, research etc?

In general, conservation or wildlife focussed jobs can often come from volunteer roles – even if not directly, this type of involvement “keeps your hand in” following graduation.

Depending on what line of work they want to go down, job hunting may need a different approach (consultancy vs. research for example) but the MBA, CIEEM and even IEMA would be worth checking out as professional bodies who will offer advice and graduate membership which might help them make the jump from student to professional or stay clued up to new opportunities.

Best of luck to them in any case,
Owen (watery ecologist)

Every interview has 50 candidates applying for it.

Ten times better odds than most Milkround graduate jobs then…

I’m afraid voluntary work is the way forward. Probably one way of getting the experience in the relevant field.
jobs link probably seen this but a site to keep an eye on

Ha s anyone suggested learning to swim?

Nice little job if he/she doesnt mind a few months off shore
http://www.countryside-jobs.com/cjsdailyonline/Jul13/1306_5.html

I’m a Marine Biologist – or at least I was 20 years ago.
If I was a recent grad looking for a career now, I’d be considering off shore renewables and looking at getting practical M.Sc. to support that. Herriot Watt does a couple, but Marine Spatial Planning would be the one I would go for.

Out off friends which got firsts and went on to do PhDs, only 2 have jobs on the field – and one of those has to live on Shetland 😯

Good luck!

Cheers guys. She’s already done a good few months voluntary conservation stuff abroad, and the money to fund such jaunts has run out! I think she’s quite open to any opportunities at the moment, but has worked with conservation (Manta Rays) and some sort of lab based study of shrimps.

Try the Navy.

We have HMS Scott and Echo, both Ocean survey vessels which whilst not directly related to Marine Biology, do a lot of bathymetric type stuff. The Navy get involved in all sorts of aquatic-based things including mapping the areas hit by the tsunami and modelling subsequent effects on marine life.

OC on HMS Biter is a Marine Biologist…
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Patrol-and-Minehunters/P2000-Class/HMS-Biter

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Ships/Patrol-and-Minehunters/Ice-Patrol-and-Survey-Ships

Quick comments on postgrad… Geoffj mentioned Heriot-Watt, I know nothing at all about our biol PG options, I’m an UG degree salesman basically 😉 But I know a man who does, if you like I can get some contact details. Expensive, though, there’s not that much funding around for marine biol (for the same reason there’s not much work!)

But, another possible… Is she committed to marine biology, or would she consider a shift into renewables? And if so, is she currently resident in Scotland (or failing that the EU but not the RUK?) If so, there’s some funding options there, 100% fees paid, not just with us… Curently we’re offering it only to scottish domiciled applicants but it’s likely to be rolled out to scottish and eu (though, probably not rest-of-uk)

I think she’d consider an MSc (has applied for a couple of PhDs) but funding would be necessary. England based unfortunately!

Ah well. Sorry, that’s me spent then!

I have a degree in Oceanography (not the same but very similar!) and the only options for me were to go on to do a PhD or take a sea-going position (for which competition is fierce). The RN do take on Meteorologists / Oceanographers etc but they actually seem to prefer people with no academic knowledge as they can then train them up as they see fit…. That’s logic for you 😕

I loved my degree but I then spent a stint in the RN (not using it), 11 years as an Ad Manager for a sailing mag and am just about to move into the cycling industry. Good job too – can’t remember anything about Oceanography now 😆

If they can get funding, PhD is the better option in my humble opinion. I got offered one on completion of my degree but the funding was rubbish and I had enough of living on beans.

Sorry, couldn’t resist it! 😆

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gciFoEbOA8

edinburgh area? with a padi ow or bsac ocean diver card, there’s often part-time jobs in the shark tank at deep sea world in north queensferry. probably crap money, but experience.
probably other similar places too. padi ow is around £350, bsac cheaper but can take ages

I have a degree in Oceanography (not the same but very similar!) and the only options for me were to go on to do a PhD or take a sea-going position

Me too and there are a lot more option for oceanographers than squid prodders

Jam Bo,

Oceanographic instrumentation designer…

My Pals marine bio career looks like a disaster. Degree’s coming out her ears and plenty of fish farm, and science experience but nae work that actually paid. research centres were being closed or having funding cuts.
Maintained the aquatic centre in Dobbies to pay the bills. Moved sideways and became a land based countryside ranger.

Could be worth checking out the British Antarctic web site out. I’ve been there m done it for siix months. Solitude yes experience 10000000 percent

Learn to drive a small powet boat and then Set up a whale/ marine wildlife watching tour company on thd west coast of scotland? They seem to be doing ok, the same companies are there year after year.