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First, some facts. Of the Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 101 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 58%, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates have a lower likelihood (-9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 39% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 51% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Oregon with a Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOperations Assistant Dolphin Quest Nov 2015 - May 2016 First Mate/ Reservationist  Dolphin Discoveries May 2016 - Aug 2017 Captain/ First Mate  Hawaii Nautical Jan 2016 - Aug 2018 First Mate/ Office Assistant Sea Paradise Nov 2016 - Aug 2018 First Mate Lahaina Cruise Company / Hawaii Ocean Project Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 Operations Manager Carefree Boat Club Apr 2019 - Aug 2021 Assistant Manager West Marine Jun 2021 - Feb 2022 Marina Office Coordinator Port of Olympia Feb 2022 - Mar 2023 Marine Terminal Operations Coordinator Port of Olympia Mar 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Analyzing the type of jobs that individuals with a degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography have held, it’s clear that there is a mixed bag in terms of how closely related these positions are to their field of study. Many graduates take on roles that directly align with their academic background, while others venture into jobs that, although potentially tangentially related, are not at the core of marine biology or oceanography.
From the profiling of various graduates, several common job paths emerge. Positions such as Marine Biologist, Research Assistant, Aquarist, or various roles within aquaculture and conservation are highly relevant and utilize the specialist knowledge acquired during their studies. These roles typically involve direct interaction with marine organisms or ecosystems, often requiring a solid understanding of marine biology principles. On the other hand, many graduates also pursue jobs in education, such as teaching or instructional roles, which can be relevant depending on the subject matter taught. However, not all education roles are similarly aligned to marine biology, especially when they extend into general science or unrelated fields.
Interestingly, a significant number of individuals have taken paths that seem unrelated to their degree, such as roles in customer service, sales, or administrative positions. These jobs often do not utilize marine biology knowledge on a daily basis. For example, roles like sales associate or manager at non-maritime businesses reflect a departure from the core skills expected from a marine biology background, indicating that many graduates may need to explore diverse job markets to find immediate employment after college. This transition could suggest that the job market may not fully accommodate marine biology-specific roles right off the bat or that graduates are willing to pivot to jobs that may not directly relate to their studies in order to gain experience or stability.
On balance, while many graduates are able to secure jobs that are closely connected with marine biology and oceanography, a notable portion find themselves in positions where they aren't actively applying their specialized knowledge. This reflects both the versatility of a biology degree and the challenges of the job market in matching graduates with directly relevant roles. In conclusion, it’s a bit of a mixed bag—lots of relevant opportunities but many detours along the way as well.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates:
After looking through all these LinkedIn profiles of folks who studied Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, it's clear that their career paths can vary quite a bit. Many of the recent graduates often start off in internships, assistant roles, or educational positions right after college. For instance, graduates from schools like New College of Florida and the University of California, San Diego, worked as teaching assistants or student assistants shortly after graduation, which is pretty common. This kind of first job allows them to gain practical experience while staying connected to their field of study.
As we look further down the line—about five to ten years out—we see a mix of success. Some create impressive careers in marine science, working their way up to positions like Marine Biologist or even managers in research-related roles. For example, several graduates have moved into roles such as Marine Mammal Trainer, Aquarist, or Environmental Scientist, which show solid connections to their education. However, there are significant portions of graduates who seem to have drifted away from marine biology entirely, taking on jobs as instructors or in completely unrelated fields like sales and marketing. There’s quite a spectrum here, and it suggests that while some people do find meaningful work that relates to their degree, a good number don't end up using their specialized knowledge to its fullest potential.
Overall, one can say that the early career opportunities for most graduates involve hands-on learning and entry-level roles, mostly in education or internships. But after a few years, it's a mixed bag—some thrive in marine-focused careers while others have taken diversions into areas that may not directly connect with what they studied. So, if you're someone considering a degree in marine biology, know that it can lead to fascinating jobs, but there's also a chance you might find yourself pursuing different career routes. It's all about how you navigate your journey and what experiences you seek out after graduation!
Honestly, getting a Bachelor's in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography can be pretty challenging, especially if you’re not super into science or math. You'll dive deep (pun intended!) into subjects like ecology, oceanography, and biology, which often means lots of studying, lab work, and sometimes even field trips where you’ll be collecting data in, like, actual oceans. If you're the type who loves being out in nature and is excited about learning how marine ecosystems work, you might find it engaging and rewarding, but it's definitely not a walk in the park. So, it’s not exactly an easier path—it requires dedication, interest, and a willingness to tackle some tough topics along the way.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography.
Looking at the job paths and qualifications of these marine biology and biological oceanography graduates, it seems like most have found their niches within the field, but their financial success varies. For many, especially those just starting out, it appears they might be earning modest incomes. For instance, the graduate from New College of Florida has been a TA and now works in seasonal programs—likely not the highest-paying roles. On the flip side, some graduates have more specialized positions, like lab technicians or educators, which could potentially lead to better salaries over time, but they also started off with internships or entry-level positions.
Overall, while some of these graduates have landed jobs that could eventually lead to decent salaries, a lot of them are in early career stages, probably earning in the lower salary brackets typical of entry-level positions in science. It's not uncommon in this field for it to take a few years of experience before seeing a noticeable increase in pay. So, it looks like they've got some financial climbing to do before they're pulling in the big bucks!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (ordered by the average relevance score of their Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: