any marine biologists out there?

[jess128]

Hey everyone. I'm in grade 11 this year, so I'm trying to figure out university and all that. I've always wanted to be a marine biologist but now I'm having some second thoughts. I'm just wondering if someone in that field would answer some questions for me. My science teacher has a marine bio degree but couldn't find a job in that field so now he's teaching jr.high science. Is it hard to find a job in Canada for marine biologists? He also told me that I'd have to take 4 years at the U of A, then another 4 years at the U of V, and then a year of 2 at Banfield. Is this correct? I really don't want to be without an actual job for another 12 years!

I'm also having second thoughts because I don't want to spend 2 years studying micro plankton or micro bacteria, etc. Eventually I'd like to specialize in marine mammels, but won't that take even longer in university? I've also heard that the pay is really bad in that field, is that true? I'm also not sure if marine biology is just an interest for me, or if I like it enough to go as far as have a career in it. It would be great if someone with some experience in this field or who knows someone in this field could PM me and give me some info. Thanks!