What does a marine biologist actually do?

In this video I tackle the seemingly obvious question of what a marine biologist does, but it's surprisingly complicated to answer. I interview five other marine biologists as well as give my own take on the job description of a marine biologist, what some of our tasks include, who we might work for, etc. Give it a watch if you have any questions about what the work of a marine biologist entails.

Music:
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod 

Nicolai Heidlas: @nicolai-heidlas
Music proposed by "FFF - Four French Fries"

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I am Chantel Elston, a first year marine biology PhD student. Join me on my journey as I discover our wonderful oceans and try to survive PhD life.

twitter: @chantel3474

[NXT_Nena]

The lady explained that many people assume growin up that they will spend majority of their time in the field and with sharks for example. I would like to know what job title would ACTUALLY spend majority of their time in the field. I want a marine/ aquatic career, but I cannot figure out the proper job title of what I am looking for. I love conservation. Dealing with extinct animals and making sure they are safe and I love turtles and corral reefs. I love it all. I could look at it all day. But I don't want to teach anything or write any peer reviews. What am I looking for? Please help me. I love the planet as well. I jus want a nature job.

[jolenecarbery]

hey, i think you're awesome and i wish they told us about marine biology as a career choice at school. i'll keep following your journey.
lots of love from the UK

[susans]

I really enjoyed this video. At first, I was unsure of what EXACTLY a marine biologist does but as soon as I saw this, I felt very informed on the different roles, especially after hearing what other marine biologists have to say about job. I thank you very much as it has made my decision of what I want to in my life more clearer. I think more people should make videos like these if they are thinking of giving people an insight into a certain profession.

[tabikatel]

Thanks for helping me with my schoolwork! You’re vids help explain more

[karambit]

When you realize marine biologist IS a jojo reference

[danlily]

i’m 10 and i want to be a marine biologist and thank you for telling me And i don’t want to stop wanting to

[regancircusartist]

This was so informative i was that kid that said when I grow up i want to be a marine biologist but not truely understanding what the job actually entails my idea what working as a dolphin whale and seal rehabilitator in Aquariums not sitting behind a desk punching in numbers and figures all day which makes me think is it marine biology or animal science that I should look at. My dream has always been to work hands on with the ocean go out to sea and really get into the water and encounter these animals study their behaviour and how we can protect them from danger or extinction. If anyone has advice on what would be the best programme to study🙏

[boscq.]

Great video really, helped on my report!

[pIllowVent]

I have the urge to be a marine biologist. I just got into aquarium keeping and I love it. I hope this urge stays

[KaimanaConservation]

I get this question a lot too! I always respond the same: the term "Marine Biologist" is a bit of a buzzword. Most people who work with the ocean have different (or many!) job titles - but that title is rarely "Marine Biologist." Unfortunately, aspiring marine scientists don't know what to search for, so they give up and become something else. Thanks for the diversified list of marine scientist roles in real life!

[crmoreira]

Is it hard to manage your personal life while being a marine biologist? Does it affect your relationships?

[emmalouise]

Thanks for this video, it really helped me!

[slknoles]

Question: I’ve been interested in Marine Biology and took it for electives in 2000-2004. Upon researching what position someone could have as a Marine Biologist upon graduation, I realized there are not many to choose from. What position upon all completed schoolwork for you have you had a passion for having? I grew up in Los Angeles & Orange County. My father is a (now) retired professor at OCC. Sea World was in my life growing up as well. If I were to be a dolphin/whale trainer at Sea World - wouldn’t almost ALL those positions be already filled by people in it for years and years? Other than working at Sea World, directly, I’ve always wondered what I’d become majoring in it. I already don’t agree with captivity - but out in the wild, other than SCUBA-Diving and keeping a chart on them over the years - what could I do?

[lg]

WHY WOULD YOU PICK THAT BACKGROUND SONG?!?!.

[thomassterk]

Hey telly. I'm a commercial diver at the moment, and I'm thinking about switching to a more scientific aspect of diving such as Marine biology. You say at the beginning of the video that there are people that just dive to collect samples and and others that do the lab work. Is there a balance of the two? I wouldn't mind doing the lab work, but some of the people you interviewed make it seem that a huge bulk of marine biology is lab work.

Love the channel by the way, it's good to see this kind of content to help clear things up for potential careers

[sjradical]

hi Telly i studied general biology however i stop because not really sure what to pursue. I'm about to continue my course this year and decided to pursue marine biology. ibhave passionnin conservation here in the philippines. you said in one of your comments that we'll find what's suitable for us along the way. after finishing my degree in general biology. but what should i start? learn scuba diving? volunteer?

[matpikachu]

Haha! I like the ending at 6:09. I'm also studying marine biology, but I'm going to work on my master's thesis unrelated to marine work.

[alexisasheep]

I really wanted to be one when I was a kid. I've always been a water baby and around the ocean and it's always fascinated me but it really kicked off when I watched H20 (the Disney show) for whatever reason. Then I realized that I suck at math but I still have a tiny bit of hope in me. To me the ocean is like space on earth, especially the deep sea. Just imagining what you could find there makes me all excited. It's just so interesting and I'd love to work in that field.

[monique]

this is so helpful thank you so much!!! i'm starting to look into marine biology again but there's so much i don't know. what i do know is fieldwork, contributing to research, and impacting policy is what i love. is there a job in marine biology or oceanography that covers all three??

[peacelovedolls]

So would it be possible for me to have a job where I went out in the field and collected samples and then went back to the lab and analyzed it (like genetic/microbiological data) and then maybe write one or two papers on it before moving onto the next thing? I want to work in marine biology and do the analysis of the data, and I do enjoy writing, so one or two papers would be fine, but I don't want to spend months writing papers and peer reviews. I can be impatient, and i think I'd rather get right back into the ocean after my last discovery to find something new. Would that be possible in marine biology, or would I have to spend months with papers and stuff? Thanks!