IMarEST's new careers guide: Careers with Marine Mammals
Careers with Marine Mammals; the sentinels of ocean health
The IMarEST Marine Mammals Special Interest Group (MMSIG) has launched a comprehensive careers guide which is unique in achieving the SIG’s ambition to appeal to both students and employers.
“Our aim is to not only give students insight into the types of roles that they could aspire to, but also provide employers with a valuable insight into the difference between the many specialist roles to enable them to understand and recruit individuals with the right skills for their projects. This is vital to ensuring future effective and successful environmental project management.” Niru Neil Dorrian, MMSIG Co-chair.
Marine mammals: seals sea lions, walrus, whales, dolphins, porpoises, dugongs, manatees, polar bears and otters, are essential for a stable and balanced ecosystem and are often referred to as sentinels of ocean health. Careers with marine mammals frequently involve working to ensure their protection. The threats are many and range from extinction through hunting, entanglement in discarded or lost fishing gear, plastic waste in the ocean, the effects of climate change, and noise pollution from shipping, energy extraction and tourism.
The Marine Mammal Careers Guide is the latest in the IMarEST’s resources which aim to promote marine professions and support those working in the sector.
In addition to literature, guides, IMarEST TV, and an extensive digital library, the IMarEST also provides a network of local branches, student sections, and special interest groups, giving members opportunities to share knowledge, expertise and ideas with like-minded professionals.
If you want to get involved in our efforts to support marine mammal conservation and marine scientists in industry, register your interest in becoming a committee member by contacting [email protected]. You can get involved with the groups’ activities by joining either as a corresponding member or if you are advanced enough in your career, as a committee member and start influencing the profession at a higher level.
You could also gain relevant experience by volunteering. Many non-governmental organisations run conservation research expeditions where you can gain practical fieldwork skills and research skills whilst also having a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Check out the list of the IMarEST’s NGO Partners for ideas as to where you could go.
Download the Marine Mammals Careers Guide.