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Aquatic Science Careers
Related Topics: Science Career Zone
Many people who have in interest in the water and the living environment within the water would like to pursue an aquatic science career. There are many aquatic science careers. Some of them are highly competitive while others are fairly easy to get into with an entry level position.
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Aquatic science is studying the environment in both freshwater and in the ocean. Aquatic science can be broken down into two other terms: oceanography and limnology. Oceanography is studying the biological, geological, chemical, physical, and optical characteristics in the ocean and in estuaries. Limnology is studying all the same things but the studying takes place in rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands. Limnology applies to all of these regardless whether the body of water is salt water of fresh water.
A four year degree is needed to begin a career in aquatic science.
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However, for some of the better paying and more complicated jobs, a higher degree is needed. Furthermore, to land a job in some of the most exciting aquatic science careers, applicants must have an advanced degree and demonstrate that they are in the top 1-2% of their class.
Most researchers with aquatic science spend at least part of their year in the field collecting samples and observing. This field work can be days, week, or even months long. Once out of the field, the researcher will return to the lab where many tests and experiments will be run. Researchers also spend a considerable amount of time reading and reviewing articles and papers that are written in their subject area.
Of course researchers aren’t the only branch in aquatic science. There are many other careers too. Some of these are difficult to get into and others aren’t too difficult. It all depends what a person wants to do and how competitive that job might be.
For example, a career working with dolphins may have 20,000 applicants but only 8 available spots. That’s extremely competitive. On the other hand, some careers may have over 100 jobs open throughout the world and only 500 applicants. Still other jobs might have 10 openings and only 8 qualified applicants. It all depends on the field and the popularity of the field.
All aquatic science jobs pay pretty well. Usually those with more advanced degrees make more than those without an advanced degree (a degree higher than a Bachelor’s Degree). Entry level positions with the federal government pay somewhere between $26,000 and $40,000 per year. Those with PhDs can make anywhere from $40,000 all the way up to over $100,000 per year.
Aquatic science careers can be very exciting and rewarding. For some people it’s a dream come true to work with marine life. Yet, some people who work in aquatic sciences will never work directly with any marine life. There are a number of aquatic science careers that people pursue. The one similarity they all share is that they involve studying the environment in the water to some extent and in some way.
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