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Strategies for Success: Preparing for a Career in ocean science and technology. Deidre Sullivan. Director Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center www.marinetech.org. Outline of Presentation. MATE Center Who am I? Trends in the Marine Economy, Science and Technology
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Strategies for Success: Preparing for a Career in ocean science and technology Deidre Sullivan Director Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center www.marinetech.org
Outline of Presentation • MATE Center • Who am I? • Trends in the Marine Economy, Science and Technology • Realities of Career Advice • Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes for Success • Barriers to Success • www.OceanCareers.com
The MATE Center Mission: Working to improve marine technical education and prepare the ocean workforce. • Workforce Research • Underwater Robotics Competitions • Faculty Education • At-Sea Internships • Curriculum & Textbook Development • Career Awareness
Deidre Sullivan • Owner of Video Production Company • Scuba Instructor for Club Med • Camp Director • Christmas Tree Lot Manager • Zoo Tour Guide • Kelp, Fish and Lettuce Farmer • Retail Store Manager • Cocktail Waitress • Scientist/Seafloor Habitat Mapper • College & University Instructor • Director of the MATE Center • Philanthropist, Saxophonist or Japanese Fish Printer
The Marine Economy • National Security/Defense • Transportation and Commerce • Energy and Exploration Activities • Telecommunications • Recreation and Tourism • Fisheries and Aquaculture • Search & Recovery Operations • Nautical/Underwater Archeology • Government Assessment and Regulation • Scientific/Medical Research • Education and the Arts
Ocean Developments Working deeper Long-term observations/climate change Renewable energy and food • Drilling for oil in unprecedented depths • Ocean observing systems • Offshore wind and wave energy installations • Offshore fish aquaculture • Marine safety and health concerns • Environmental protection (storms/sea level)
Trends in Technology • Increased use of Remote Sensing • Atmosphere, Land, Sea Surface, Sea Floor, Mid- Ocean • Increased use of Miniaturization • Cheaper, lighter, (ROVs, AUVs, GPS, Animal Tags) • Increased use of Computer Processing Power • Smarter equipment, data streams • Higher level data products, 3-D Sonars • Increased use of Molecular Biology • Species identification, phylogeny
Time’s Best Inventions of 2008-9 • Green algae for biofuel • Tank-raised bluefin tuna • Fish friendly tidal turbine • Google’s floating data center
Students are not being adequately prepared for ocean occupations • Most students don’t receive adequate career guidance • Many education programs are not keeping up with changes in research & industry • Problem solving and creativity are limited • Students and educators are unaware of many ocean occupations because many are not classified by the Department of Labor
Occupations Difficult to Fill in Industry • Electronics Technician • Software Engineer • Electrical Engineer • Mechanical Engineer • Engineers/Scientist with acoustic backgrounds • UW Vehicle Pilot / Tech • Computer Programmer/Scientist • Project / Program Manager • Diver • Machinist / Welder • Ship Officer / Crew 11
There is a widespread need for employees with a broad range of knowledge and skills Interdisciplinary Engineering (EE & ME) + physical oceanography Computer science + physical oceanography Marine biology + physics Marine biology + math/modeling Science + technology Oceanography + electronics Oceanography + high performance computing Oceanography + remote sensing Marine resource management + GIS Geology + software development 12
Comparison of Salary Ranges Across Sectors High starting salaries in Industry 13
Barriers to Success Outliers: The Story of Successby Malcolm Gladwell Barriers to At-Sea Internship Participation • Being on a Boat • Sleeping in a strange place • Eating different foods • Not knowing how to swim • Being afraid of being asked something you don’t know how to do • Being away from family, friends, cell phone… • Attitude