To work as a marine geologist, you’ll typically need an undergraduate degree in geology as well as a graduate degree in a more specialized form of oceanic geology, such as a master’s degree. Within the field of marine geology, there are numerous career options, and different employers seek different types of expertise. Early on in your education, it is usually a good idea to start looking into your career options. You will be more marketable once you enter the field if you tailor your research and coursework to a specific type of study.
Much of what it takes to become a marine geologist is determined by the type of job you want. To perform basic administrative and rote research tasks, some research firms and marine exploration teams will hire people with only general geology or earth science training. This can provide valuable work experience and exposure to young graduates. However, without additional education, advancement is usually unlikely.
Like most scientific disciplines, marine geology is organized according to a system of educational hierarchy. It is nearly impossible to advance in the field without at least a master’s degree, no matter how long you have worked there. This isn’t to say that on-the-job training isn’t valuable. Most endeavors and explorations require low-level researchers, and this type of experience can also help graduates better solidify their interests. Entry-level experience, on the other hand, is not what most people had in mind when they decided to pursue a career as a marine geologist.
You will almost certainly need a graduate degree if you want to conduct undersea geological research, draw your own conclusions, and use your knowledge to make predictions. Typically, the type of graduate degree you pursue will determine, at least in part, the type of career path you will pursue. Graduate school is where you discover what interests you the most in marine geology and where you establish a reputation for yourself through focused research.
Scientists who work in the field of marine geology can do a variety of things. Some researchers look into the movement of tectonic plates beneath the sea floor and predict how seismic shifts and underwater volcanoes will affect life on land. Others investigate the mineral content of silt and rock in order to locate oil and other natural resource wells, while others specialize in map-making and undersea land surveys. Established professionals often have some leeway in the field, but you must typically specialize in just one field before you can become a marine geologist.
Marine geophysics, marine geochemistry, marine petroleum studies, oceanography, and ocean sedimentology and volcanology are all common marine geology degrees. Most firms and companies require a master’s degree or equivalent to work as a marine geologist. You will almost always need a Ph.D. to teach at the university level or to hold the most senior research positions.
Many employers recruit new scientists directly from the world’s top programs, making it easier to become a marine geologist with an advanced degree. As a graduate student, your research will establish a name for you in the scientific community and can serve as a springboard for your professional career. Depending on your interests and job availability, recruiters will frequently contact you.