Comments on: So You Want to Be A Deep-Sea Biologist?

By: A day in the life of three marine biologists. Really. « The Oyster’s Garter

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:39:45 +0000

[...] day in the life of three marine biologists. Really. Dr. M at Deep Sea News was all “ZOMG! Ocean science is so much work and reading and computery stuff!” Whatev, Dr M. I [...]

By: Matt H.

Matt H. — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:56:01 +0000

Really great article! I wish I read something like this when I was starting off. One thing that I would add is the importance of interning/volunteering as soon as possible in college or before hand. I’ve been trying to make a career in marine biology with just a BS and I only did a little volunteering and interning in my last year and just after and it has been rough trying to get jobs. I haven’t even worked a proper marine bio job, trying though.

By: Andrew B

Andrew B — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:42:28 +0000

Hi Dr. M,

As a young, attractive white male with no mustache, how do I break into this mustache dominated field?

Sincerely,

Mustacheless in Missouri

By: future deep sea marine biologist

future deep sea marine biologist — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:28:57 +0000

Since I was very young, I have dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. I then figured out i wanted to be a deep sea marine biologist. This article really helped me a lot, and I am happy to report that I am STILL interested in this field. Keep up the good work and please try to inspire others!

By: Blondie

Blondie — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:02:52 +0000

I really appreciate the candidness of your article. Some of my students have expressed a desire to go into this field, but I believe they just see the glamour of being on a ship sailing around making discoveries. It is this type of article marine biologist wanna-bes need to read and probably won’t find in their after high school research or from a guidance counselor. Thank you.

By: Dr. Glitterbear

Dr. Glitterbear — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:59:53 +0000

Peter & Kevin,
The presence of successful female deep sea biologist does not negate the fact that being female or a person of color or a sexual minority makes life in science (and the world in general) more difficult and there are far more road blocks to success. I am sure if you canvass this successful women, most of them have had to deal with some form of sexism in science although this is obviously not special to deep sea biology.

My experience as a grad student in the early to mid 90’s in this field was not healthy or supportive from professors to students to support staff and ship crew. Maybe, my experience is a complete random occurrence and every one else like me has had a lovely experience.

After that first failed attempt at a marine biology education, I left science for a spell but returned to complete an MS in marine biology and a PhD in biology but focusing on marine invertebrates. I have been at three marine labs across the country and at each one I have had to deal with some form of bigotry and discrimination ranging from property vandalism to comments and slurs. Since leaving to study a completely different field of science, I have had much success and no one refers to me as ‘the faggot’ or vandalizes my car or told me I don’t belong. It has been rather refreshing.

By: Pondering the lack of diverse sexualities in the ocean sciences « The Oyster’s Garter

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:49:08 +0000

[...] it’s been languishing in my drafts folder for over a month. However, Dr. Glitterbear’s sad comment over at Deep Sea News prompted me to dig it out again. On a post on how to become a deep-sea [...]

By: Kevin Zelnio

Kevin Zelnio — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:58:12 +0000

Dr. Glitterbear,

You situation is very unfortunate! We need more diversity in deep sea, and marine science in particular. I agree with Peter that women in marine science and deep sea science are becoming more and more commonplace, which is terrific! My boss is one of the few groundbreaking women in deep sea biology and has been working in this subject since the late 70s/early 80s at a time when it was probably harder to break in to the white, male, hetero system.

As far as diversity in gender identity/sexual orientation we have a LONG ways to go! There are some fantastic outspoken LGBT marine scientists out there though. In this era, I think it would be easier to break in. But I’m not in your boat and don’t know how recent you were working in the field. I hope you can get back into marine research one day though. Its a shame to lose talent due to bigotry. I’ve also found from personal experience that some advisors and bosses will try to break you any way they can. I don’t know why, maybe they think they are weeding out the weak, toughening you up, who knows. But sometimes switching labs is one the best things you can do for yourself! A change atmosphere really worked wonders for me.

By: romunov

romunov — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:55:57 +0000

Interesting How You Guys Over There Capitalize Every Word Of Any Given Title. I’ve Noticed This In Many Papers Over The Years. What Gives?

By: Tips on Consulting for the Marine Sciences | Deep Sea News

Tips on Consulting for the Marine Sciences | Deep Sea News — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:26:38 +0000

[...] should be considered an addendum to Craig’s post yesterday, called “So, you want to be a deep-sea biologist“. It assumes you’ve done everything right, and still can’t find a job. Or, maybe [...]