<p>Marinebio444,</p>
<p>I am a science major who is hoping to come into the market with a masters in 5-6 years. Your optimism is great, don’t let anyone take that away from you because you are going to need it going into the field you are looking at. Contrary to your belief, I do not feel the same about the supposed growth in the market that you have proposed. I am with Gravenewworld somewhat here. The U.S. just has not placed a lot of value in work of scientists. I know you are only concerned about doing something you love, I was too. However, as you go on your path, you will find that as much as you don’t want to be concerned about money, you are going to have to be because there are two things in this world that speak:</p>
<p>Money and Politics</p>
<p>Beyond these two things, the fact that you have even a phd in marine biology is irrelevant. So go into it knowing that earning potential may not be that great unless you get (lucky).</p>
<p>Yes you need luck in everything, and even a little moreso in our path. You have to meet the right people at the right time in the right place. That is a gamble, and hopefully your school will get you on that way.</p>
<p>This economy is bad. It is not improving. Companies aren’t hiring. Jobs just are not there. That is now, and that may be the future. This is even more of a problem for science phd’s. When there are 500+ people applying for one position at a university (even lesser known universities), the chances of getting a job are slim to none. This is NOT going to change. A phd will in effect leave you with even more difficult prospects to deal with.</p>
<p>Biology is a science that is behind, it has not had its “golden age” yet. I have talked to professors who say that it is a true shame that we have not progressed more in this science than we have. However, the effort of Biologists isn’t what will lead to significant advances in this field. What is needed is Mathematicians. When you are analyzing things at cellular level, the mathematics can become daunting. Engineers have been looking into the signal processes of the human body, and the road blocks hit when you hand a computer a matrix that is so large that it can’t even chug through it. I know you are looking into marine biology, but in the future I am of the belief that the biology of human beings will be the most significant advancement. It will have direct effect on the quality of lives of humans, and many believe that humans life span will increase towards 120-130 years based on advancement in medicine and more advanced knowledge of the microscopic processes that occur in the body everyday. Will there be a market for marine biology? There may or may not, but I tend to ask myself the question of where is the benefit to society.</p>