Have you ever wondered what was beyond the shallow waters of the ocean? How does any living organism live so freely in such a big, lively, yet unknown environment? If you're curious about such things, becoming an oceanographer may be the right career path to choose. Oceanography is a type of Earth science in which one studies the ocean and its overall environment (Anonymous 2011b, 1). Though a career in oceanography is a difficult, yet rewarding and thrilling path, it is a very broad job position in which many pursuable directions are possible. This job opens up many career oriented opportunities to students or professionals in the field. Oceanography is a very general occupation, there are four main sub-fields in which an oceanographer may participate, which include: geological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and biological oceanography (Trujillo 2011, 8).
As previously stated, oceanography is split into four main sub-fields. Any person focusing on the occupation of oceanography may seek to work in these sub-fields. Though none of the four different fields of oceanography is more important than the other, each expresses its own significance in creating a more complex and profound understanding of the ocean with its atmosphere and other components.
The first of the four is geological oceanography. Geological oceanography is focused on the study of the sea floor along with its components and structures that make it up and change it over time (Trujillo 2011, 4). To be more specific, a geological oceanographer may focus on the formation of canyons or underwater volcanoes (Pandey 2011, 2). Though it may not seem significant to study the ocean floor, the chemical and physical traits revealed throughout this job make it possible to map important geological structures and even more so important to expand one's knowledge about Earth's history and even its future (Trujillo 2011, 4).
While geological oceanography focuses on the sea floor, physical oceanography differs in many ways. Obviously, physical oceanography relates to the physical aspects of the ocean, such as the temperature, the the wave-lengths, the tides, the currents, etc. When working in this field, a physical oceanographer would mostly study, observe, and record the atmospheric properties of the ocean and its connection and relationship with the climate and weather (Trujillo 2011, 5). Atmospheric variability can be tested through ship-based or satellite observations that can lead to new discoveries about the climate and weather (Cornwell et.al. 2011, 1).
Further along the lines of oceanography, is chemical oceanography. In this field one has an extreme focus on the chemical make up of the ocean's sea-water. One may also observe the composition of the water and how it relates and / or affects the ocean's components, such as the sea floor. Chemical oceanographers often cooperate with biological oceanographers while doing studies of the living systems of the ocean. A chemical oceanographer spends most of their time evaluating and interpreting the ocean's elements.
Biological oceanographers, along with marine biologists, study the life in the ocean. Throughout their work, they observe and record the growth and development of life in the sea, as well as a myriad of other specific organisms. For a biological oceanographer, it is vital to note how the organisms react to one another and how they co-exist in their environment to maintain their on going life process (Trujillo 2011, 7). As it was stated previously, the sub-fields of oceanography differ vastly, yet not one of them is in a sense any more important than the other. On the contrary, biological oceanography is quite like the grandfather of all oceanography. Mainly because without a clear understanding or knowledge about life in the ocean, many other aspects and elements of the sea would be unknown.
Pursuing a career path in oceanography is challenging, yet rewarding in many instances. Preparing or certifying for this occupation can develop as early as high school , or as soon as you spark an interest in the subject, for that matter. If any individual wants to have a successful, advancing career path in any field of oceanography, it is almost vital to have nothing less than a PhD (Anonymous 2003d, 5). As technology advances and the ever changing world continues to become more complex and diverse, scientific research is available in many different ways, but mostly through a computer; so it is almost necessary to take as many computer programming and writing classes as you can to adequately preform a job in oceanography. People who want to get involved with oceanography may also look into taking a biology, environmental science class, or a physics class. Obtaining these diverse skills will most likely separate you from other competition when trying to apply for an oceanography occupation. Ultimately, when one has an interest in becoming an oceanographer, they must be exceedingly willing to create a diverse science background for themselves, in whichever way they can achieve it (Anonymous 2003d, 5, 6).
Before one can even begin to unravel the joys of their newfound career, they must first focus on how they are going to get there. Having a successful oceanographic career, requires at least a PhD, as stated above. Also, having a degree in earth sciences and physical sciences are mandatory if one is positive about entering the oceanography field. Sparking an interest in this subject during high school, and taking classes related to this subject are also beneficial when trying to thrive in their practice of oceanography because it shows that one has prior experience and knowledge about their occupation (Pandey 2011, 6). There are multiple universities and colleges in which it is possible to graduate from and pursue the oceanography career with. One of the best known, and most productive universities to attend and pursue a well rounded career in oceanography is Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego (Anonymous 2003d, 8). Priced at about $30,000 a year for California residents (Anonymous 2011e, 1), the University of San Diego offers a wonderful academic institution that thrives on specifically Oceanography.
If one is wanting a high pay roll, then an oceanography job may not necessarily be considered. Though the total income of an oceanographer is not much, it is still a fair amount of money. When first entering the field, one usually begins making about $30,000 per year. If one is at a more advanced level of oceanography and perhaps has been in the occupation for a while, or is particularly excellent at their job, an oceanographer can make up to $130,000 a year (Anonymous 2003d, 7). Just as any other employee in any occupation, an oceanographer almost always has to work their way up to the top of the pay roll.
Though there are many pursuable employers of oceanography, one of the best known is NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While earning the general yearly salary that was stated above, the typical NOAA employee would have work both in the office and at sea. A day in the office would consist of analyzing and examining ocean samples, and creating data from that research to publish into a science journal (Sullivan 2003, 2, 3).
Seeing as oceanography is a broad line of work, there are numerous amounts of outlooks when working within this career. When one pictures the job of an oceanographer it is often associated with the sea itself, quite the contrary, oceanographers can work anywhere from the sea, on land, in laboratories, and most commonly on computers. Many oceanographers spend their careers out at sea having adrenaline rushing experiences and making new discoveries, returning to their work base with new information to observe and analyze. The amount of travel and experience that an oceanographer has the opportunity to be a part of, usually results in a very content employee with a high degree of overall job satisfaction (Anonymous 2003c, 5).
At the forefront of oceanography are many recent advancements, procedures, and innovations. Of these new advancements, the one that stands apart from the crowd is a type of oceanography that has lead to an abundance of new information and new discoveries about the ocean. Satellite oceanography, while still observing the ocean, is happening at a more modern and technologically advanced pace. With satellite oceanography, climate and ocean dynamics are observed with more depth (Stewart 1985, 1).
Lurking near the deep blue depths of the ocean, is a whole new set of discoveries that oceanography has made possible to understand and acknowledge. Studying and mastering everything there is to know about the ocean is intriguingly rigorous and challenging. This field, although it has been around for decades, continues to expand itself and the knowledge that it has brought to attention.
Overall, oceanography does not appeal to me. Though the adventure and travel that comes along with the occupation is intriguing, not in any way do I see myself working in this field in the future. I shy away from the complexity and vastness that oceanography deals with because profound, confusing things scare me away. I do believe that people who hold true to this job have a high value and appreciation for their occupation, and from what I have learned, these employees express complete job satisfaction. Hopefully, I will feel and demonstrate the same amount of satisfaction and comfort with the line of work that I choose.