Why you should be pursuing paid jobs when seeking a career in marine science and conservation
Release Date: 04/05/2024
From Shoveling Coral Overboard to Negotiating at the UN
How To Protect The Ocean
Before he ever sat across a table from UN delegates, Matthew Gianni spent 10 years working as a commercial fisherman up and down both US coasts. Gillnetting for Spanish and king mackerel in Florida. Bottom trawling off central California, New England, and Florida for sole, redfish, hake, sablefish, shrimp, and other groundfish. Hook-and-lining for salmon and albacore tuna in Oregon and California. Running pots for Dungeness crab and dredging for deep sea scallops on Georges Bank. In today's episode, I trace how that decade on deck, watching coral and glass sponges get shoveled back overboard...
info_outline
Blue Collar White Coat: Meet the People Behind Ocean Science
How To Protect The Ocean
Science communication has a blind spot: it keeps putting the same faces in front of the microphone. In this episode, Andrew talks with Amy Weldon, host and executive producer of the podcast Blue Collar White Coat, about why she built an entire show around the people science coverage usually skips. Amy spent 15 years in science communications, starting at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and now uses that background to track down the electricians, dive supervisors, ship repair technicians, and life-support operators who keep ocean and space research running. The conversation covers why Amy...
info_outline
Why YouTube Might Be the Future of Ocean Science Communication
How To Protect The Ocean
YouTube has quietly become one of the best platforms for ocean science communication, and in this episode Andrew breaks down exactly why. Fresh off yesterday's 2,000-episode milestone and the new Pisces Oceans licensing agreement, Andrew explains why he's diving back into YouTube after stepping away last spring, including the launch of a brand new daily show, Ocean Decoded Live. Andrew walks through his own history with video, from the early days of Speak Up for Blue TV through burnout, a rebrand, and now a fresh start under Ocean Decoded. He breaks down why YouTube's search-driven discovery...
info_outline
Episode 2000: TV Offers, Job Offers, and a Major Announcement
How To Protect The Ocean
Today marks episode 2000 of How to Protect the Ocean, and Andrew is taking a break from the usual format to look back at how this show came to be. From an accidental start in 2010 to a name change driven by search engine optimization, to over 3 million downloads across 11 years, this episode traces the full arc of the podcast's history. Andrew also opens up about how podcasting reshaped his career. What started as a side project outside of work hours led to TV documentary appearances, podcast hosting offers including a multi-year run on the Toronto Zoo podcast, and eventually the job offer...
info_outline
The Power of Podcasting for Ocean Science Communication
How To Protect The Ocean
Podcasting has been part of Andrew Lewin's life for 11 years, and in this episode he explains why he thinks more people working in ocean science and conservation should be doing it too. He walks through what makes long-form audio and video different from the short clips discussed in yesterday's episode: the ability to sit with complex topics, tell a full story, and reach an audience that's multitasking, whether they're walking the dog, working out, or gardening while listening. Andrew gets specific about what podcasting actually requires. He covers how titles and the first several seconds of...
info_outline
Short-Form Content for Ocean Awareness: What Actually Works
How To Protect The Ocean
This week on the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew kicks off a science communication series exploring how ocean advocates can spread awareness across every major content format. Today's episode digs into short-form video: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, and what it actually takes to make original content work when you're used to talking for an hour, not ninety seconds. Andrew is candid about his own struggle with the format, since most of his short-form output today is repurposed podcast clips rather than content built for the platform from the ground up. The conversation...
info_outline
The Electric Boat Revolution Is Here
How To Protect The Ocean
Electric boating is having its Tesla moment, and few people understand that shift better than Alexandre Mongeon, CEO and co-founder of Vision Marine Technologies. Andrew sits down with Alexandre to trace his path from importing speed boats in Montreal to building the electric outboard systems now powering boats across North America. Along the way, Alexandre shares how a chance meeting with Olympic sailor and boat designer Ian Bruce set him on the road to electric propulsion, and how a rental-to-sale showroom model in Newport Beach, California, turned a small hobby business into a NASDAQ-listed...
info_outline
3 For-Profit Companies Cleaning the Ocean and Paying Living Wages
How To Protect The Ocean
Not every ocean conservation win comes from a nonprofit or a government program. In this episode, Andrew breaks down three for-profit companies that are cleaning up the ocean, funding wildlife research, and paying living wages to the people doing the work. These businesses show that conservation and profit are not opposing goals. They can be the same goal. Andrew covers 4Ocean, whose full-time captains and cleanup crews earn living wages with health insurance and bonuses across Florida, Bali, Haiti, and Guatemala. He covers Ocean Sole, the Kenyan social enterprise that pays local collectors...
info_outline
How 4ocean Turned Bracelets Into 50 Million Pounds of Ocean Trash Removed
How To Protect The Ocean
4ocean has removed more than 50 million pounds of plastic and trash from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines. That milestone did not come from a government program or a traditional nonprofit. It came from a for-profit business built around a single idea: every bracelet sold funds the removal of a pound of ocean trash. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how 4ocean went from one viral video in Bali to a global cleanup operation, why founders Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper chose a business model over a nonprofit, and how the company built local jobs, recycling infrastructure, and B Corp...
info_outline
The Boat Sharing Economy Is Exploding, Here's Why You Shouldn't Buy a Boat
How To Protect The Ocean
The boat rental market is bigger than most people realize, and it's growing fast. In this episode, Andrew shares a personal story about his dad, boats, and why he's spent the last few months considering buying one, before walking through the data that changed his mind about ownership altogether. Andrew breaks down the numbers behind the boat sharing economy: a market valued between nineteen and twenty three billion dollars US, growing five to seven percent a year, with electric propulsion emerging as the fastest growing segment in boat rentals. Peer to peer platforms like Getmyboat,...
info_outlineAndrew Lewin discusses the choice between unpaid volunteer and internship opportunities versus paid jobs in marine science and conservation. He explores why many individuals are opting for volunteer experiences to gain valuable skills and knowledge. Andrew emphasizes the importance of taking action to protect the ocean by pursuing a career in marine science and conservation, especially for early career researchers and scientists.
Tune in to learn more about the benefits of volunteering and how it can contribute to a better ocean future.
Connect with Speak Up For Blue:
Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc
YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube
Building a career in marine science and conservation requires patience and a focused approach towards finding paid jobs. As discussed in the podcast episode, many individuals in the field are eager to work in marine science and conservation, driven by a passion for the ocean. However, the episode highlights the importance of seeking paid positions rather than solely relying on non-paid internships or volunteer opportunities.
The host emphasizes the need for individuals to invest time and effort in searching for paid jobs within the marine science and conservation industry. It is noted that securing a paid job in this field can be challenging and may require a significant amount of patience. The host shares personal experiences of taking six months to find their first paid marine science job, underscoring the perseverance and dedication required in the job search process.
Furthermore, the episode stresses the significance of financial stability while pursuing a career in marine science and conservation. It is recommended that individuals consider taking on other part-time or full-time jobs to ensure financial security while actively seeking paid positions in their desired field. This approach allows individuals to maintain stability and focus on their job search without being overwhelmed by financial concerns.
Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of networking and building connections within the industry to increase job prospects. Networking through platforms like LinkedIn and engaging with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights, job leads, and potential opportunities. By actively networking and establishing relationships with industry professionals, individuals can enhance their chances of securing paid positions in marine science and conservation.
In conclusion, the episode emphasizes the need for patience, focus, financial stability, and networking when building a career in marine science and conservation. By prioritizing the search for paid jobs, maintaining financial security, and actively networking within the industry, individuals can increase their chances of securing rewarding and sustainable career opportunities in marine science and conservation.
Investing in people within organizations is crucial for fostering loyalty and productivity. In the podcast episode, the host emphasizes the importance of organizations paying professionals for their work in marine science and conservation. By compensating employees adequately, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to valuing and supporting their staff. This investment in people not only ensures financial stability for employees but also cultivates a sense of loyalty and dedication towards the organization.
Furthermore, the host mentions that professionals who feel valued and supported are more likely to produce high-quality work, leading to better outcomes for the organization. Loyalty from employees can result in increased productivity, efficiency, and overall job satisfaction. When employees feel appreciated and compensated fairly, they are more motivated to contribute their best efforts to the organization's goals and objectives.
By investing in people within organizations, not only does it create a positive work environment, but it also helps in retaining talented individuals. Employees who feel valued are more likely to stay with the organization long-term, reducing turnover rates and ensuring continuity in projects and initiatives. This loyalty and retention of skilled professionals can lead to a more stable and successful organization in the long run.
In conclusion, the podcast episode highlights the significance of investing in people within organizations to foster loyalty and productivity. By prioritizing the well-being and professional development of employees, organizations can create a positive work culture, enhance job satisfaction, and ultimately achieve greater success in their conservation and scientific endeavors.
Networking, improving job application materials, and staying financially stable are crucial strategies for securing paid jobs in the marine science and conservation field. In the podcast episode, Andrew Lewin emphasizes the importance of building a strong network within the industry. He suggests reaching out to professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, connecting with them, and showing genuine interest in their work. By building relationships and trust within the industry, individuals can increase their chances of hearing about job opportunities and receiving recommendations.
Furthermore, Andrew highlights the significance of having well-crafted job application materials, such as resumes and cover letters. He advises against using templates and encourages tailoring each application to the specific job and organization. Seeking feedback from other professionals in the field can help improve the quality of these materials and make them more appealing to potential employers.
Additionally, maintaining financial stability while searching for paid jobs is essential. Andrew shares his personal experience of working in a different industry to ensure financial security while pursuing opportunities in marine science and conservation. By having a stable source of income, individuals can focus on their job search without the added pressure of financial stress.
Overall, the combination of networking, enhancing job application materials, and staying financially stable are key strategies that can significantly enhance one's chances of securing paid jobs in the competitive field of marine science and conservation.