| Ah yes, August is here. The dog days of summer | | | | advanced degree, either a master's and/or a |
| are upon us. And for many, a long-awaited TV event | | | | doctorate degree, to give you the research skills |
| finally arrives: Shark Week on Discovery Channel. | | | | you'll need to further your career. |
| If Jaws scared you so much that you still refuse to | | | | Aquarist Careers |
| go in the water, Shark Week provides another look | | | | Ever wonder who picks out and cares for those |
| at these amazing animals, the oceans they live in, and | | | | massive fish tanks in your favorite aquarium? Enter |
| how humans are threatening their survival. (That's | | | | the aquarist. These professionals are responsible for |
| right. Believe it or not, we pose a much bigger risk to | | | | collecting the fish in different exhibits, making sure |
| them than they do to us.) It also gives viewers a | | | | they play nice with each other, feeding them, |
| chance to see the amazing marine biology | | | | cleaning their tanks, and watching for signs of illness |
| professionals who study, observe, and even swim | | | | or injury. |
| with sharks in action. | | | | What you'll need to get started: |
| Whether or not you're ready to don a wet suit and | | | | In general, a bachelor's degree in biology, marine |
| jump into a shark cage, Shark Week highlights marine | | | | biology, or a related field will help you get started. By |
| biology careers of all sorts. Here's a look at our | | | | volunteering, interning or working at an aquarium, zoo |
| favorite careers that can put you at the forefront of | | | | or pet store, you'll gain hands-on experience that will |
| marine study and conservation. | | | | give you an edge in the hiring process. You may |
| Marine Biology Careers | | | | also need a SCUBA certification for days when you'll |
| If watching Shark Week makes you want to don a | | | | enter the tank to care for and feed your charges. |
| snorkel mask, hop into a boat, and study the | | | | Marine Mammal Trainer CareersWhen you think of a |
| nocturnal feeding habits of a lemon shark, you should | | | | marine biology career, do you think of the marine |
| look into become a marine biologist. | | | | mammal trainers who swim with Shamu and the |
| Marine biologists are the scientists who study the | | | | other orcas and dolphins at Sea World? If so, you're |
| plants, animals and bacteria that make up the ocean's | | | | not alone. Marine mammal trainer careers at zoos, |
| delicate and elaborate ecosystem. In addition to being | | | | aquariums, and water parks remain some of today's |
| familiar with other principles of oceanography, such as | | | | most popular marine biology careers. |
| chemical oceanography and physical oceanography, | | | | In addition to training the animals, marine mammal |
| most marine biologists focus on one specific species | | | | trainers are also in charge of feeding, cleaning the |
| to study throughout their career. | | | | tanks, monitoring the animal's health, and coordinating |
| What you'll need to get started: | | | | with veterinarians and other park employees. |
| You will need a bachelor's degree in biology, marine | | | | What you'll need to get started: |
| biology, or a related field to get started. From there, | | | | Although it's not necessary, a bachelor's degree in |
| you'll also need to pursue a master's and/or a | | | | zoology, biology, psychology, or marine biology is a |
| doctorate degree. | | | | great way to start this career. You'll also need |
| Aquatic Scientist Careers | | | | experience working with animals in a pet store, |
| Do you love research? Do you want to be on the | | | | veterinarian's office, or related business. Volunteering |
| brink of environmental studies that can protect and | | | | is great way to get your foot in the door for these |
| preserve our oceans, lakes, and rivers? You may | | | | competitive jobs. And, if you have the time and |
| want to consider a career as an aquatic scientist. | | | | resources, having a SCUBA certification is also highly |
| Similar to marine biologists, aquatic scientists study | | | | beneficial. |
| literally everything about the water that covers much | | | | Education Specialist Careers |
| of our planet, from the chemical make-up to the | | | | Education specialists are like the docents of the |
| temperature at the sea floor. Oceanographers study | | | | aquarium world. They're the ones who coordinate |
| oceans and ocean life specifically, while limnologists | | | | special visits for school groups to see new exhibits, |
| study inland water systems, including lakes, rivers, | | | | lead tours of the aquarium, and answer your |
| streams, ponds and wetlands. | | | | questions about the suspicious-looking angler fish in |
| Within each of these broader fields, there are | | | | the deep sea tank. |
| specialized scientists who study different parts of our | | | | What you'll need to get started: |
| oceans, lakes and rivers. Chemical oceanographers, | | | | Many education specialists start out in another branch |
| for example, study and monitor the chemical | | | | of the marine biology field, including working as an |
| make-up of the ocean, while physical oceanographers | | | | aquarist or helping with marine biology research |
| observe the ocean's currents and circulation, and how | | | | projects. This means that a bachelor's degree in |
| that affects sea life. | | | | biology, marine biology or a related field will help you |
| What you'll need to get started: | | | | start this career path. |
| During your undergraduate education, pursue a | | | | Ready to begin? |
| bachelor's degree in biology, marine biology, or a | | | | Find out more about the programs you'll need on this |
| related field to get started. The next step is an | | | | bachelor's degree programs page. |