<p>My D is just starting to think of what she'd like to do. Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences (a bit broader in scope) are a couple of things she's been thinking of.</p>
<p>Anyone here who can offer any input into these majors? What type of classes are typically required? What career path is available for these majors? Any links to websites that offer more info is appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>i am a student who is also seriously considering an environmental career. unfortunately, i haven't even begun my major, so i don't know too much about it. as far as i know, from my limited knowledge about the fields (and take the following with a bit of salt), marine biology is the most competitive out of all the marine related sciences, because it is the most popular. in order to start a career in it, ive heard over and over again that the student should have a strong background in general biology FIRST. so a bachelors degree in biology is recommended, and then graduate studies in a more specific biological science such as marine bio. ive heard that UCSB is great for marine biology, and ive heard UW is great for generally... anything environmental related.</p>
<p>ive also been searching up a lot of potential future jobs in these areas, and came up with the following: there is work in the NPS, in which most of the jobs available sound more "hands on" and out in the field. there is also a lot of governmental jobs available - as far as i know, the EPA is the biggest US agency for environmental related jobs (many of the openings sound more like policy/law oriented work, but they all ask for people with science backgrounds to apply). there is work in the US fish and wildlife service, very lucrative work in environmental law, and environmental consulting is also an option. lastly, there appears to be a lot of seasonal work available in the environmental field. ive seen job openings for jobs where you go around half the US national parks planting vegetation for a year or so, or living on board a boat that sails around the pacific collecting fish data for a couple years. its really varied, and from what ive seen so far, theres a lot of options for work in those fields (i myself cant wait to start!).</p>
<p>oh. as for types of classes, its most likely going to be very similar in the beginning regardless of whether she goes into marine bio or environmental science. the basis for both of those fields are biology, so she will probably end up taking a lot of chemistry, physics, math, biology, and organic bio before even touching specifically marine bio or environmental science.</p>
<p>If you go to USAjobs.gov you can see exactly what the federal government hires for. That is the Federal gov's official job website. Search under "Natural Sciences." You can also get work with different states through state agencies like BLM, Fish & Wildlife, etc. (Not listed on USAjobs.gov , you'll have to track them down through the states' websites.) Or private industry work with timber companies, etc. (Maybe not with marine biology but certainly with wildlife biology.) I'm not sure how much marine stuff you'll find there. I would think marine biology would be harder to get into than "regular" biology because so much work is focused within the US. (The ocean is official no-man's land, except the two miles closest to a country's shore.)</p>
<p>Here is hands down the best site for finding wildlife/marine biology summer/seasonal jobs:</p>
<p>Texas</a> A&M University: Wildlife and Fisheries [People]</p>
<p>On-the-job experience and connections are so important in wildlife/fish/marine biology. She should get one every summer if possible. A lot of the seasonal jobs offer free (or very cheap) housing as well.</p>