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CHOOSING A CAREER

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CHOOSING A CAREER

CAREER CENTRES

CHOOSING A CAREER IN AQUATIC SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY

WHAT QUALITIES ARE REQUIRED OF THE AQUATIC SCIENTIST?

Our increasing dependence on the correct management of freshwater and marine resources demands well trained and responsible workers in aquatic science. The work is important and challenging and there is strong competition for employment.

Workers in the aquatic sciences are intelligent and practical, with the high degree of persistence which comes from strong self-motivation. Their motivation usually stems from a strong interest and enjoyment of the work that they do. Going to work is fun! They are usually very responsible people, well organised and able to cooperate and communicate well with the public and their co-workers, both verbally and in writing. A common trait is a love of the outdoors and not minding getting wet! However, prospective researchers should realise that for each hour spent in the field there are many more spent in the laboratory analysing data and writing reports.

Besides the theoretical knowledge gained during training, workers in the aquatic sciences usually gain considerable practical experience in other areas. Many become familiar with the handling of boats, SCUBA diving, a variety of sampling equipment, laboratory analyses and experimental techniques, computing and analysing data and writing reports and papers.

At the highest management or administrative levels, persons of integrity with the qualities of responsibility, knowledge, insight, skill in decision making and good communicative abilities, are much in demand.

ASSESSING YOUR INTERESTS AND SKILLS

Deciding on what career to pursue is an important decision in anyone's life and demands an element of self knowledge. Without previous exposure or practical experience it is often difficult to appreciate what a particular course or career entails and this makes choices difficult, this is why it is often helpful to talk to a professional career guidance officer. He or she is trained to help students to assess their interests and areas of skill and guide them towards careers suited to their particular abilities. Discussing problems or concerns helps the student to reach an informed decision.

Whereas the course structure at a technikon may be very straightforward, choices offered at university level are often confusing to students who are uncertain what they want to do. Many students do not realise that specialisation and the development of their interests usually only starts at the second or third year of a Bachelor's degree, or even at postgraduate level. Initially students should pursue a generalised science curriculum which will enable them to gain experience in a variety of disciplines, thus facilitating future choices and career decisions. The interests of many senior students are inspired by their lecturing staff, or by the research programmes and equipment available at the institute at which they study. Hence many students only realise in what direction their real interests lie towards the end of their training. Flexibility, broad knowledge and experience are perhaps the most important qualities leading to a successful and rewarding career in the aquatic sciences.

WHAT LEVEL OF TRAINING TO PURSUE

Once you have decided on a career in the aquatic sciences you should determine in what direction your interests and aptitudes lie and whether these are best served by university or technikon training. As in all careers, there is a hierarchy of employment opportunities associated with increasing complexity of training. Technical posts would require direct apprenticeship or a technical diploma from a Technikon. Conservators and biologists occupying research positions usually require a B.Sc. Honours degree, preferably with specialisation in marine or freshwater studies. However students pursuing postgraduate degrees, e.g. Master or Doctorate, would obviously be eligible for more responsible and more highly paid posts such as university lecturers, administrators and research directors.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION FOR TRAINING

At school level the prospective student will need to have a good pass in matric physical science or biology, and in mathematics, before entering a technikon or university. Information about entrance requirements and course structures can be obtained from universities and technikons by writing to the registrar at the appropriate institute and requesting a prospectus in your proposed field of study. It is wise to apply for registration at more than one centre, particularly at university level, as there may be considerable competition for entry at the more popular institutes. Applications should be made well in advance of your proposed entry time. Final decisions regarding exactly what courses to take may be made in consultation with the appropriate student advisor upon admittance.

COURSE STRUCTURES

A few universities and technikons offer specialist courses in the aquatic sciences such as hydrology, limnology or marine biology. Technical diplomas are only obtainable through technikons and these are one to three year courses. Most universities offer a generalised Bachelor of Science degree, although students can often select research projects and essays on topics related to their particular interests. A typical university curriculum might be structured as follows (courses vary at different universities):

EMPLOYERS OF AQUATIC SCIENTISTS

There are numerous employer of aquatic scientists in South Africa - too many to list here. Besides the various institutes tabled above, many museums, local municipalities, government departments, large business corporations and firms of consulting engineers offer employment opportunities. The CSIR has several departments employing both marine and freshwater scientists. The Provincial Environmental Departments, the Rand and the Umgeni water boards, the kwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, National Parks, the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban and the Sea Fisheries Research Institute in Cape Town also employ technicians, researchers and administrators in the aquatic sciences.

List of centres and institutes offering specialised training in the aquatic sciences.

Compiled and published by the Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists
(The executive committee based at the Freshwater Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, RONDEBOSCH, South Africa 7700.)

The Foundation for Research Development funded the original paper leaflet. Problems to: Michael Silberbauer

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