Careers in Diving - Interview with Marine Biologist, Matt Kay
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2013
- This video is one in 17 video interviews from our Careers in Diving DVD. Matt Kay is a Ph.D. marine biologist who does underwater research and teaches at Santa Barbara City College. Matt describes how he uses scuba diving as a tool to do his work underwater. This video was directed by Steven M. Barsky of Hammerhead Video.
I'm the next a marine biologist. I can do it!
Since as far as I can remember I've always been fascinated by nature, especially by the sea. I ended up studying marine biology in England and loved it. What you speak about hits the nail on the head; the same things that attracted you also drove me. That feeling of discovery, and being on the frontlines. This same passion was transmitted to me by my professors, some of them legends in their field, and their love for it is contagious.
Unfortunately, in my experience it has been incredibly tough finding jobs. Even having a decent resume, jobs are few and far between. I even got my commercial diving license 2 years ago to work for a pharmaceutical company that did research and marine organisms, but that didn't pan out. So while I still have the license I'm looking at doing other freelance work, maybe fishing for urchins...
I've also done work as a consultant, was a teacher for a while, and lately I work as a scientific observer on fishing vessels. Last year I also got my Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) training to land jobs that require acoustic surveying (e.g. near oil rigs or wind farms). That last one sounds like fun and looking to see what it's like. Fingers crossed...
To those seeking to study marine biology, more power to you. Just keep in mind you truly have to love the subject, and possibly look at other sidejobs, because until the world starts valuing nature more, the budgets will be tight.
It takes many marine biologists several years before they can find a full time job working in their preferred field. My wife worked as a range biologist, stuffing rats for a museum, cloning ferns for a biology company, and as an assistant game warden prior to landing a full-time job as a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. It all depends on how determined you are to go into your preferred field.
@@MrAquaImage you're absolutely right. COVID threw a wrench in the works, and I've become a bit demoralised. I just have to find the spark again. Behavioural ecology and population dynamics interests me most, so I might go down that path. Maybe do some underwater photography on the side (spent the last few years practicing astrophotography).
Thanks for your comment!😃
Matt Kay is now a professor for botany and plant physiology
Thanks for the update. Have not spoken to him for awhile.
Great information! Thanks!
+Fannyluna 12 You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
I want your job so bad
Nice
What university courses are needed in order to be a marine biology teacher/lecturer at a uni? Bachelor of wildlife biology (marine)and what else?
Sorry I did not see your question sooner. Here's a list of schools that offer marine bio degrees. They are all probably somewhat different in their requirements. marinebio.org/marinebio/careers/us-schools/
I'm in the process of getting my marine biology and wildlife biology degree
Wishing you the best in your career.
I want to be a Marine Biologist.
I want to do masters in marine biology! But have bachelor in pharmacy. Can I get any university for my masters?
You have to go to a school that has a masters program in marine biology. But you will also need to make sure that you have all of the necessary pre-requisites for that particular program.
I want to be a marine biologist but i don’t want to be in a classroom teaching
There are lots of marine biologists who don't teach, as explained in the video. Many, like my wife, worked for state or federal agencies, and private consulting firms, and never set foot in the classroom to teach.
Thank you