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:

Marine science graduates have a wealth of fascinating and rewarding career options open to them in the commercial, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Opportunities for marine science graduates include but are not limited to:

Depending on the pathway followed, potential employers include:

Researching your career options
The following links can be used to search for work experience, graduate jobs and to gain more of an insight into the different areas of the marine sciences.

A good starting point for your careers research is the Prospects website and taking a look at the job profiles for:

Each year, we hold our Broadening Career Horizons conference for second and final stage marine science students and postgraduates. This is an excellent opportunity to meet graduates from your degree programme and other speakers who are now working in the marine and environmental sectors.

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth Earth science graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.

Employers  

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys of 2017/18 and 2018/19. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 21 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Further study options exist in the UK and internationally. A masters 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:

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 postgraduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn. 

Our bite-sized Accelerate workshop can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics: 

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

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.

For more information about the alumni tool select the 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, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

Research tells us that that the three factors contributing to graduates’ success are: 

Start thinking about the career possibilities from the outset and reflect on your new experiences as you progress – what are you enjoying? What isn’t quite what you thought? Get involved with clubs and volunteer with local conservation projects and organisations – you will meet interesting people and start to shape your ideas about where you might like your degree to take you.

While your degree might be the key to unlocking employment, work experiences and the skills you have developed and the contacts you make will help to push those doors open. 

Part-time work will bring in much-needed money while you study while enhancing your professional and transferrable skills such as teamwork, time keeping, flexibility and commercial awareness. Consider applying to become a Student Ambassador and get experience of events, public speaking and enjoy showcasing your subject to members of the public at community and university outreach events. 

Placements can boost employment prospects as well as providing a unique opportunity to get involved with different conservation projects or behind the scenes in fascinating research facilities, meeting new people and building professional contacts for life. Our Placements team will support you with your search and applications for placements and Placement Preparation sessions are an integral element of your degree programme. 

Volunteering is your superpower! Especially if you are planning on a career in the conservation sector. The University of Plymouth Students’ Union advertise an enormous range of voluntary opportunities on their site and host fairs and evenings to bring you into contact with organisations of interest.

Clubs and societies 

If 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.

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.