Breadcrumb
Careers & Alumni
Whether you decide to go to graduate school or enter the workforce, you’ll be well-prepared for that next step in life.
After graduating with a B.S. in Oceanography, our alumni go on to pursue their masters or Ph.D. programs at some of the world’s best graduate schools. Others pursue a variety of private sector and governmental careers.
In fact, over 80 percent of our graduates get jobs related to their Oceanography degree at oceanic research companies, science centers, public and environmental health departments, and government agencies.
Whatever you decide to do, your foundation in science and oceanic studies will help you get to where you want to go.
Related Job Titles
The following list is not meant to be all inclusive; many other job alternatives and titles may exist. Some require further education.
- Oceanographer
- Marine Biologist
- Aquatic Biologist
- Marine Resource Specialist
- Biological Technician
- Ocean Technician
- Research Assistant
- Laboratory Assistant
- Biophysicist
- Physical Science Technician
- Physical Oceanographer
- Chemical Oceanographer
- Chemist
- Geological Oceanographer
- Geophysicist
- Geologist
- Hydrologist
- Water Pollution Technician
- Meterologist Assistant
- Hydrographic Survey Technician
- Oceanographic Instrumentation Technician
- Scientific Diver
- Deck Support Technician
- Science Officer (NOAA)
- NOAA Corps Officer
- Seismic Engineer
- Coastal/Ocean Engineer
- Environmental Specialist
- Museum/Aquarium Manager
- Aquaculture Technician
- Marine Products Sales Rep.
Possible Employers
Private & Non-Profit
- Ocean Research Companies
- Marine Surveyors
- Petroleum Companies
- Aquariums
- Aquaculture Industry
- Sea Labs
- Chemists
- Hydrographic Survey Companies
- Marine/Oceanographic Engineers
- Water Quality Labs
- Water Pollution Control Service
- Science Centers
- Environmental Organizations
- Environmental Consulting & Engineering Firms
- Oceanographic Instrumentation Manufacturers
- Shelf Survey Companies
- Geologists
Federal Agencies
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
- NOAA Corps
- National Ocean Survey
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- Federal Maritime Commission
- Sea Grant Program
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Minerals Management Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- National Park Service
- National Aeronautics & Space Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Smithsonian Institute
- Department of the Navy
- Peace Corps
State, County & Local Agencies
- Department of Water Resources
- State Water Resources Control
- Board
- Coastal Commission Department of
- Water Resources
- Department of Fish & Game/Wildlife
- Department of Conservation
- Flood Control Districts
- Public Health Departments
- Mosquito Abatement Districts
- Universities & Colleges
- Wastewater Treatment Districts
Marketable Skills
Communication
- Writing precise technical reports
- Working as part of a team
- Teach and give lectures
Recording & Interpreting Data
- Categorizing specimens & experiments
- Forecasting marine ecosystems
- Excellent observations & recording skills
- Analyzing microscopic samples
Technical Skills
- Excellent grasp of geology, biology, chemistry, math & marine sciences
- Ability to use diving equipment and submersible vehicles
- Collect samples of natural resources from the sea and shorelines
- Use of technical instruments to collect data
Computer Skills
- Perform simulations with numerical/computer modeling
- Strong IT skills
- Working with statistical packages & mathematical models to analyze data
Meet our Alumni
Alumni Updates
James A. Seward
Oceanography, 2016
James A Seward, Oceanography, 2016, was an environmental services intern for California Coastal Conservancy from July 2017 to January 2018. He is currently a technician with the Central & Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS).
Julianne Fernandez
Oceanography, 2014
After earning her degree, Julianne Fernandez, Oceanography, 2014, interned with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District in Illinois. As a Physical Science Technician in Water Quality she assisted in monitoring the upper Mississippi River. Fernandez worked on her M.S. in Geology at the University of Cincinnati, where her research focused on methane emissions from Lake Erie. Fernandez completed her M.S in 2017 and soon decided to pursue a PhD. She’s currently a Marie Slodowska-Curie Postgraduate Research Assistant in the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway University of London, UK. She studies urban methane emissions from London and other European metropolitan areas.
Jessica Taatjes
Oceanography, 2014
Jessica Taatjes, 2014 Oceanography, joined AmeriCorps VISTA with the California State University after graduation. Taatjes currently works with COAST (Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology) conducting student engagement across the CSU.