Marine Science CareerQuest

Introduction

Exploring career choices is one of the most important jobs you can do during the years you spend in school. San Diego's location next to the Pacific Ocean makes it a natural for students interested in careers in the marine sciences. Triton partners Sea World, Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Stephen Birch Aquarium are world famous sites of marine research, education and entertainment. Would working at one of these places be the ideal job for you? How about more exotic places like studying the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or working at Woods Hole Institute of Oceanography in Massachusetts? Use this quest to explore all the exciting places a career in oceanography could take you.

The Task

Your task is to discover the ideal marine science career for you. You will need to:

• research different ocean related careers available and choose one that sounds interesting

• find out what it takes to prepare for the job of your choice, including what school you would choose to attend

• learn your expected duties, work conditions, rate of pay, etc.

• create a newspaper ad that you would answer to give you the career of your dreams

Resources

Start your search with this web page that will connect you with many marine science resources.

The Process

The process is easy and fun:

1. Explore links that sound like they might tell about jobs that would be interesting.
2. Make a list of three different marine science jobs that you might like.
3. Continue following links and try to find out what kind of training, work conditions and pay is involved in each job. Also find the locations that you might work.
4. Select your favorite job and write an employment advertisement for the job you have chosen. Include:

• the name of the organization placing the ad (Make this a real place that would really need this kind of employee.)
• job title and description - explain the duties the employee would be expected to carry out
• education requirements
• working conditions
• starting salary and expected advancements (if you are able to find this information)
• how to contact the employer (use an actual Internet site where possible, otherwise find the address of the organization.

Evaluation

Your advertisement will be graded on several points:

• the "reality factor" (Does it sound like a real ad for a real job at a real place?)
• the depth of research involved (How much did you find out about this career?)
• number of applicants (Your ad will be placed on the classroom job board. Each student will select their three best career opportunities. Top ads will receive bonus points.)

Conclusion

Who knows, your participation in this quest may lead to a new future for you. If not, at least it will give you some skills to help you choose your career.