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
Bradley K. Paulson
Oceanography, 1985
After graduation, Brad Paulson joined the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA, as a marine geologist to assist in arctic coastal erosion and diving investigations designed to collect long-term data on ice formation in the Beaufort Sea and to study its effect on sediment transport and shoreline dynamics. In 1988, he was hired by an engineering consulting firm (CH2M HILL) as an oceanographer to support various environmental studies and engineering design projects located around the world. In 1993, he earned an M.S. in Geological Oceanography from the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington. He is currently a senior technologist and oceanographer with Jacobs Engineering in the Seattle area. He has a diverse background in coastal and estuarine oceanography, water and sediment quality, contaminant transport, outfall mixing zone/dilution analysis, and engineering design. He specializes in wastewater discharge analyses that include integration of field and modeling programs, outfall design, and NPDES compliance and permitting issues. He also serves as an AAUS-certified scientific diver on the Jacobs dive team.
Jay Brandes
OceanographyChemistry, 1988
Jay Brandes recently gave a talk titled “Microplastics: A Local Problem with a Local Solution” at the 2022 TEDx Savannah Event. He is presently a Professor in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Georgia Athens, working out of UGA’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah Georgia. His work encompasses a variety of areas including nutrient and carbon cycling, biogeochemistry, and marine pollution. This fall (2022) he will begin teaching an Oceanographic Cruise course for Marine Science majors, and hopes to impart the knowledge he gained having experienced a similar transformational course in his education at HSU.
Carrie Leonard
Oceanography, 1992
After 20 plus years of research and managing research operations, Leonard has moved to implementing policy to address Climate Change and Racial Justice at the Oregon State Legislature. She's excited to move to implementing ideas instead of answering questions.