How to become a marine biologist - Part 1

So many people think that marine biology is just research or science and since that isn't their thing, they give up on becoming a marine biologist. Don't give up! We need more marine focused people in the world! Instead, pair your best talent, skill, interest or trait with the ocean to come up with your ideal venn diagram.

This is part 1 of a 10-part series of how to become a marine biologist. Don't give up on your dreams kiddos (or adults, whoever you are!).

ABOUT
Melanie Knight is CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean to Eye Level which provides marine project management consulting including the development of public marine education centres. Melanie is the founder and past Executive Director of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, a non-profit education centre in Newfoundland. Melanie graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a BSc. in Biology and a minor in business. For the past 14 years, Melanie has been working with the largest and the smallest aquariums in Canada fostering curiosity for the underwater world. Melanie worked at the Vancouver Aquarium as a marine educator and manager of volunteers. Melanie has since been recognized for her work environmental work with the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium becoming a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, receiving the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Award, TechGirls Portraits of Strength and the Canadian Network of Environmental Educators Award in 2014. She lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada with her nerdy husband.

WATCH

FIND OUT MORE:

THANK YOU!
Thank you for watching! Leave questions and comments below!

[k-jackson]

I'm 19 Ive wanted to study marine biology all my life but depression has made me loose my passion for almost everything now I'm getting back into it thank you for this video

[Rachkayy]

Hey! I am 24 years-old and I'm currently in the United States Navy. I always had the dream of becoming a marine biologist since I was a little girl. But I never really believed my dream could be possible until recently. So now I have decided that I am going to use the education benefits provided to me from my service, and when I get out, I am planning to major in biology to become a marine biologist. I hope that this isn't one of those fields where you have to start super young! I have a passion for the ocean, and her animals! I love everything from corals, to marine mammals, and the fish and invertebrates that live there! But I do have trouble pinpointing my passions! I love photography, animal training, discovery and research, as well as caring for animals! I have looked at multiple paths this could take me and the things that excite me the most are filmography, aquaristry, and researching to help save the corals that have been dying so quickly in our ecosystem!

[silentsniper]

I'm 14 and have always dreamed of being a marine biologist and mostly rehabilitating animals that are sick and injured so am grateful that you have made this series to help me be motivated and keep my going to wanting to for fill my dream.😃

[khxxnox_x]

I just turned 20 and I honestly don't know what I'm doing with my life, but I've always wanted to become a marine biologist. Always been obsessed with deep sea creatures and whales and orcas. I'm just worried I won't be able to afford schooling since I don't make much money. But I'll work towards it!!!

[fairy_from_the_hood]

As a kid I always loved the biology section of the books, it had animals, plants and and it was full of beautiful things. The first time I went to university I had to chose whatever major that would allow me to get a job and make money, and it worked. I am now 30 year old and I want to go back to school, now I want to study something I love, not for the job, not for the money, I just want to learn something that excites me as a human being, not as a worker or student. So I am now letting my 8 year old self pick what she wants to read and learn about and this is how I start my journey to study marine biology. Btw the Venn Diagram overlaped very nicely with my curent degree, so everything just became 100X more exciting! it won't be easy, but slowly, here I start.

Thank you so much for this! Thank you for educating us on this beautiful field. I am happy to have discovered your video.

[Gorgiscorgis]

I feel like I love marine biology and everything that comes along with it i love studying i love learning i love helping animals and cleaning the environment i think its cool to he able to sit on a boat and test the water and write it down in a journal it all just seems so exciting and my kind of aesthetic

[adetheaters]

i found this video really helpful, i have always loved fish like viperfish and black dragon fish

[adlfnts]

I live in Europe, far from seas or oceans, im 15 years old, but i want to save the life beneath our seas and oceans and i work very hard, i read, learn and watch videos about marine biology, and i know that one day i will reach my goals! You are one of my idols, thank u for sharing ur experiences and making these videos💗

[TORQUEMENTALLY]

i have always loved the ocean and the sea life ever since i was a kid. You would always catch me talking about sharks, dolphins or some sort of fish. Pretty soon i had put marine biology into my list of dream jobs i could see myself doing. I am a person who changes their mind quick if i dont see a future with it. I remember i had always had more than 5 different dream jobs i wanted to do. But marine bio was always top. So i am greatful that i saw this video! this will help me alot!

[garrettbarker]

28 here and just graduated 3 years of college in Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Law. After Grad I tried to take advantage of the local university's pathway program for their Environmental Science undergraduate. Let me tell you I was not prepared for the level University level math's and sciences. Next steps are trying to improve those skills before my next attempt. 🤞
Love your videos! Thanks for posting!

[shanedossey]

You just saying “you can do this” means the world! Thank you for saying that.

[albedokreideprinz]

Hello, im a 15 year old student, I've found myself very passionate about sea animals and deep sea stuff... And the venn diagram part really helped me understand how my own interest can help apply in this field!

[TkTorch]

Hi i'm 15, so I wanted to be a marine biologist. Then i switched to economics...and now i'm back to marine biology making a venn diagram of marine biology with economy. THANK YOU.

[ShelbyStephens-qu]

Thank you for the series! I have a bachelors of science in biology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine and naturally have piqued an interest in more schooling in the form of marine biology. I'm an advanced certified scuba diver and have had a special interest in coral for many years and the idea of aiding in research at some point excites me! Being 30 years old and having a full time hospital career at the moment, I'm definitely finding it difficult to figure out where to start. Are there any virtual introduction marine courses you would recommend for someone interested as an adult learner in seeing if this is a field they have interest in pursuing?

[bellalipsey]

thank you for these videos!! I am going to be a senior in high school and am so excited to see how my interests can be applied to and contribute to a future career!

[saliology]

Hi, I just found your channel....so excited!! I graduated with marine biology also and I started a new channel about marine science/biology education.

[melanieterborg]

Hi @Melanieknight7, I am so glad you are making these videos! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and enthusiasm with us.

[Skeletor-hljd]

Marine biology is something that I have always dreamed of and your videos have given me a new confidence in pursuing this career thank you so much!

[jordangreen]

What you said in the first part of the video really related to me. I live in Florida so I’m constantly around the Ocean and Springs. I’m also an artist so the other half of my van diagram would be art (including photography) Some of my recent favorite pieces are of a jellyfish, an orca and a sperm whale. Thank you for inspiring me 💕

[maximeloisdekruijf]

Who this is exactly what I needed! I’m bit older… I’m 28 years and I have done already three studies and been teaching music and dancing for the last 5 years, but I feel like I need to learn new skills and switch from job. It really helped hearing that I could use my teaching skills within the marine and maybe even my creative side 🤗