What can you do with an ocean science and exploration degree?

Your course will help you develop an enviable combination of specialist knowledge and techniques and transferrable skills will be welcomed by employers within and beyond the marine sector. Depending on your choice of your degree, you can expect to develop your competence and confidence in:

• The use of specialist survey equipment, technology and survey-grade software.
• Use of spatial technologies for addressing oceanographic, coastal and surveying problems.
• Collecting, processing and analysing oceanographic and geomatics data obtained from different sources.
• The safe and accurate application of established methods of measurement and analysis within oceanography, coastal processes and ocean exploration and surveying.
• Critical evaluation and interpretation of oceanographic and coastal data.
• Communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to different audiences in person, in writing and using graphical presentations.
• Project management, having designed, planned and executed an independent marine science research project.
• Teamwork having worked on group projects throughout your degree.

Further study options exist in the UK and internationally. A master’s degree or other postgraduate qualification may increase opportunities in fields such as hydrographic surveying, water quality management, remote sensing, geophysics, GIS, coastal zone management, natural history museum work, journalism and publishing. Having a postgraduate qualification can open up many additional career options, particularly those involving research. Some students with excellent undergraduate academic results may go straight to a PhD.

Teaching is also an option and there is a shortage of secondary science teachers, particularly chemistry and physics, in the UK. For schools a PGCE will be required and is also an advantage for teaching in Further Education. Those interested in lecturing and research in Higher Education will need to consider working towards a PhD

The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to Ocean Science graduates:

• MSc Applied Marine Science
• MRes Applied Marine Science
• MSc Hydrography

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable post-graduate programme;

Find a Masters https://www.findamasters.com/ 

Find a PhD https://www.findaphd.com/ 

Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ 

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

• Search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
• click on ‘Alumni’
• filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool click on LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, click on the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

If you it fits with your existing commitments, engaging in a sport or society shows employers you how engaged you are and proactive about seeking opportunities to develop and improve upon your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to ocean science and exploration or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, and take this almost unique opportunity to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.