While it is true that our home planet of Earth is covered mostly by 98 % of water, the reality is that we have barely scratched the tip of the iceberg in terms of discovering and unlocking the secrets that these bodies of water continue to hold. That is why a person hoping to work in this area in the future needs to complete his degree course in any of the relevant oceanography disciplines. These disciplines include biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, physical oceanography, and maybe, even marine engineering. All of these previously mentioned career choices have corresponding equivalents in the marine field of study. For example, a biological oceanographer works in partnership with a marine biologist. The idea being that the study of the body of water, along with research into the marine aspect of the field will produce the most useful information that the scientific community will be able to use.
Careers in oceanography are not limited to merely research and observational studies of the ocean. On the contrary, there are also relevant jobs whose main concern is protecting the water environment. One of these careers can be found in the area of Fish and Game. More particularly, the position of Fish and Game Warden. The person assigned to this position is oftentimes expected to enforce laws pertaining to fish and game violations. Oftentimes, the person is assigned to particular area in order to investigate various environmental complaints while compiling biological data that will be useful to the marine biologists and oceanographers. However, in order to work in this field, a person must have at least completed a 4 year degree course relevant to the position. The salary starts at 20 thousand and can increase all the way up to 60 thousand a year.
However, just as there are careers that help the environment, there are also some which can cause undue harm to the environment as well. An example of such a career is Ocean Fish Farming. In this career, the damage is done to the environment when the floating fish pens and cages, which are located in open waters, end up polluting the oceans and wild-life due to uncontrolled breeding and coral damages.
There are a number of internship programs available to students who are interested in pursuing marine biology or oceanographic course in college. Of all the internship programs available, one of the most notable internships is offered by the University of Delaware. The University of Delaware offers a Summer Internship Program is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences. Under this program, there are 10 scholarships given away to junior and senior student participants of the Research Experience for Undergraduates program in the fields of science, engineering, and math. Under the program, the student will be able to participate in a graduate level research covering areas from biological oceanography, marine biology, marine geology, or marine biochemistry for 10 weeks.
As our planet slowly ages, the need to learn more about the greenhouse effect in our oceans and marine life will prove to be more and more important. Therefore, a career in oceanography should be viewed as one of the emerging important and notable careers of the 21st century.
Bibliography
“A Sea Of Possible Career Options”. Office Of Naval Resources Career Information Center. 2009. Web.
“Careers That Protect The Environment”. Centers For Ocean Sciences Education Excellence. N.A. 2009. Web.
“Keep Ocean Farms Off Energy Platforms”. Care2petitionsite. 2009. Web.
“College Of Marine And Earth Studies: Academics | Summer Internship Program”. University Of Delaware. 2008. Web.