Expert: Greg Sprout - 5/11/2003

Question
I am a high school student who is currently enrolled in a career explorations class.  I am interested in a career in marine biology, and need to interview a marine biologist.  I know you are probably very busy, but I hope you will be take the time to answer the following questions.  Thank you.

1.  How did you get interested in marine biology?

2.  Please describe your job.  What is a typical day like?

3.  What kind of education did you recieve in order to follow a career in marine biology?

4.  What do you like best about your job?

5.  What qualities will make a person successful in this career?

6.  On a typical day, do you spend more time working alone, working with coworkers, or working with the public?

7.  What kinds of academic skills do you need in this career?

8.  Can you tell me about the work ethics that are expected on the job?

9.  Does your job require continuous education to keep up with advances in this field?

10.  In what type of work setting do you spend most of your on-the-job time?

11.  Are there different job options in this career field?

12.  What course of actions would you suggest for someone interested in a career in marine biology?

13.  What do you feel the benefits of your job are?

14.  Is there anything you dislike, or would like to see changed about your job?

15.  On average, how much time do you spend in the field?

Answer
Hi Rachel.

1) I saw Jacque Cousteau on TV and thought what he was doing looked like a lot of fun.  Doing scuba diving with fishes... tagging sharks... traveling the world.

2) Into the office, working on the computer.  Figuring out how to take samples, building models in order to be able to predict the conditions which arise in the field.

3) Education depends on what level you work at:
 B.S (first university degree) - you wash test tubes
 M.S. (second university degree) - you do analysis
 Ph.D. (Third university degree) - you get a Postdoc position.
 Postdoc (Sort of post university) - you design experiments, solicit for money, and write up the results
and pray you can get a faculty job.
 Faculty - you do research, teach students, and get appointed to lots of committees.

4) Flexible hours... interesting topics...Learn to enjoy learning.  Ask lots of questions.  Wonder how things work, then put in the effort to figure out how they work.


5)  A driving interest in learning about marine life, persistence (when faculty tell you it can't be done or you don't have what it takes to get there), a belief in yourself or a lot of self-confidence.  A willingness to enjoy your work, even if you don't make much money.

6) Most time is spent working alone or with others.  Occasionally work with the public at meetings and things.


7) See answer 3.  


8) It is important to be objective about what you observe.  This can be difficult, since we all have personal bias in our beliefs, our attitudes and our cultural and societal conditioning.  I'd like to say that everyone gets treated fairly in the work environment, but that simply is not true.  Women are still slightly underdogs in this field.  Ethics play a significant role, but you will feel plenty of peer pressure either way.
  You do have to be self-disciplined and work hard.  No one is going to push you.

9) I've been working various aspects of this career for about 15 years.  Yes, I do have to keep up my education constantly... although I do not necessarily have to pass any test... I simply have to keep learning how things work... then apply that knowledge.

10) Sitting hunched over my computers.


11) Yes, a few.  You could be technician, an analyst, a independent researcher... the most likely employment will be at a university or for a government agency.

12) Pursue the connection with the pharmacy field.... as that is where there is the most opportunity and financial reward.

13) Personal satisfaction from new discoveries, challenging assignments, flexible work schedules, mild self-esteem from doing work that might matter to the rest of society.

14) Yes, the peer review process could use some revamping.  Often the money goes to those with the best political connections, not necessarily those who are the most deserving with the best ideas.

15) At my last job, about 60%.  At this job, about 5%.
 It is nice to see my wife occasionally. :>)

Good Luck,

-g