Oceanographic work is carried out in research laboratories, universities, and in industry. Most of our Ph.D. graduates work in academia, or the research labs which are really a part of academia. This is changing somewhat, with a broader spectrum of employment for highly skilled environmental scientists...even as far as the profession of science reporting and writing. A vast majority of our undergraduates use their oceanographic training in some way, yet less likely in academic research. Environmental science training can contribute strongly to work in economics, politics, governmental regulatory practice and law. Understanding the 'scientific method' of observation, experimentation and inference is an important part of our program, and is a rare commodity in these professions. Computing skills are intensively developed in physical oceanography, and these of course can be applied very widely in technical and business-oriented jobs. Perhaps the most important observation is that an oceanography degree gives you a world view...an understanding of the global system that is our environment...which can inspire your work, wherever it leads.

Placement Statistics for School of Oceanography graduate students

ONR's Oceanography Career Page

Sea Grant Physical Oceanography Career Page