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JobDescriptionMarinebiologistcouldhaveavarietyoftasks,someworkindependentlyoras
teamwithotherbiologistorengineers.Someworkataquariumstakingcareforanimals,and
othersaremorecomplexchemicalmakeupofspeciesandmarinetoxins.
WorkConditions
Mostmarinebiologistsspendagreatdealoftimeworkinginlabs,wherethey
useelectronmicroscopes,computers,andotherspecializedequipmenttostudyspecimens.
Manymarinebiologistsalsodofieldwork.Thiscaninvolvetravelingtoremote(andsometimes
exciting)locations,andoftendemandsphysicalstamina.
Earnings
Medianearningsforallzoologyandwildlifebiologists(includingmarinebiologists)
arearound$57,000ayear.However,earningsformarinebiologistsareasvariedasthetypes
ofpositionstheyfill.
Education
Marinebiologyisanextremelywideandvariedfield,soHighschoolstudents
hopingtopursueacareerasamarinebiologistshouldbeginbygivingthemselvesgroundings
inappropriatesubjects.Coursesinbiology,physics,chemistry,math(calculusandstatistics),
computers.
SampleCareerPathsEntrylevelMarineBiologistmakes$30,000abachelor'sdegreeis
recommended.Theworkconditionsvaryfrombeinginthelabtofieldwork.
RelatedCareersAquaticEcologist,Oceanographer
Ecologist
JobDescription
Ecologicalresearchinvolvesspendingtimeinthefield,gatheringdatafor
analysis.Dependingonwhatanecologistsspecialtyis,fieldworkcouldmeananythingfrom
observingmonkeysbehaviorinthejungle,tomeasuringandrecordingthegrowthpatternsof
seaweedunderwater,tocollectingdifferentspeciesofbugsinthedesert.
WorkConditions
Ecologistsusuallyspendalotoftimeworkingoutdoors,particularlyatthe
beginningoftheircareers.Theirresearchmayrequiretraveling,workinglonghoursinallkinds
ofweather,andputtingupwithlessthancomfortablelivingconditions.Gatheringdataisusually
slowwork,andtakespatienceandattentiontodetail.
Earnings
Abachelorsdegreeandvolunteerorsummerjobexperiencewillqualifyyoufor
positionsasafieldresearchtechnicianorlaboratoryassistant.Entrylevelsalariesforthese
positionsrangefromabout$25,000to$35,000ayear.Anecologistwithamastersdegreecan
enterthefieldasaresearchassistant,programmanager,policyanalyst,orjuniorconsultant.
Startingsalariesforthesepositionscanrangebetween$36,000and$60,000ayear.
Education
Todoanykindofecologyrelatedwork,youneedatleastabachelorsdegreeinin
ecologyorarelatedscience,suchasbiology,environmentalscience,orsoilscience.Manyjobs
requireatleastamastersdegreeinecology,biology,chemistry,environmentalscience,ora
relatedfield.Itgenerallytakes4yearstocompleteabachelorsdegreeand1to2yearstoearn
amastersdegree.
SampleCareerPathsEntrylevelEcologistmakes$25,000withabachelorsdegree.Thereis
alotoftimespentoutdoorsinthefield.
RelatedCareersBotanologist,Zoologist
EnvironmentalEngineer
JobDescription
Environmentalengineersfocusisonmaintainingcleanandhealthy
surroundingsthroughtheprotectionofair,soil,andwaterquality.Manyenvironmental
engineerstakepartinthedesign,construction,maintenance,andoperationofwaterfiltration
plantsorsewagetreatmentfacilities.
WorkConditions
Mostenvironmentalengineersworkfairlyregularschedules:8to10hoursa
day,and40to50hoursaweek.However,theymayhavetoworkmuchlongerhoursifan
environmentalcrisislikeanoilspillortoxicchemicalleakoccurs.Lessseriousoccurrences,
suchasapproachingdeadlinesforimportantreports,mayalsolengthentheirworkdays.
Earnings
Mostpeopleinthisprofessionearnsomewherebetween$50,000and$122,000a
year,withamedianincomeofabout$81,000.Insomecasesseniorengineerswhotakeon
importantresponsibilitiesormoveintomanagementpositionscanearnmorethan$125,000a
year.
Education
Bachelordegreeismandatorytogetadegree,tobetteryouroddsitis
recommendedtogetamastersdegree.
SampleCareerPathsEntrylevelEnvironmentalEngineermakes$50,000ayearandsenior
engineersmake125,000.
RelatedCareersAgriculturalengineer.