Have you ever wondered what it would be like to explore the science of the ocean, to begin to understand its psychology? Are you interested in spending your career moving around the world, studying and seeking answers that can only be found from the depths of the sea? If so, you might want to consider becoming an oceanographer. Oceanographers study marine life, work with currents and tides and study the physical aspects of the ocean. To learn more about taking part in this exciting career, continue reading this guide on how to become an oceanographer.

Oceanographers usually specialize in one of four main disciplines, but generally, all oceanographers will have the following duties in their related field. These include:

1. Developing and testing theories based off carefully planned investigations
2. Recording the results and details of these investigations and preparing the proper reports or papers related to them
3. Responding to criticisms related to such investigations and experiments

There are four main disciplines of oceanography, each one dealing with different aspects of the ocean and the plant and animal life inhabiting it. You will need to decide which of these areas you would like to focus on so you can begin tailoring your career path accordingly. These specialties are as follows:

1. Physical Oceanography - deals with studying the density and temperature of the ocean, including currents, waves, tides and the transport of sediment.
2. Biological Oceanography - focuses on the study of plant and animal life in the ocean and the way it relates to the chemistry of the ocean. This includes the abundance of life, productivity, distribution and cycles.
3. Geological Oceanography - concentrates on the geology of the ocean; studying rocks, sediments, fossils, etc. and mapping out the ocean floor as well as examining seismic activity
4. Chemical Oceanography - involves studying how the chemical process works in the ocean and how it affects both the ocean floor and the plant and animal life inhabiting it.

All aspiring oceanographers should focus on taking as many math and science courses as possible. This will help you prepare for college. Classes to consider taking include:

1. Physics
2. Calculus
3. Statistics
4. Chemistry

All oceanographers should have a Bachelor's degree, and many will go on to receive a Master's degree or a Phd. If you are interested in performing research, for example, you will need to obtain a Doctorate in one of the following, depending on what specialty you are focusing on:

1. Oceanography
2. Marine Science
3. Earth Science
4. Engineering
5. Physics
6. Applied Mathematics

The most important thing to do is know your specialty and plan your education accordingly. It will also benefit you to know what type of work you want to pursue. Do some research into your particular field first. You will likely need seek a Bachelor's of Science degree in one of the following:

1. Oceanography
2. Marine Science discipline
3. Biology
4. Physics
5. Engineering
6. Geology
7. Biology

Once you have graduated from college, you will need to start seeking employment in your related field. If part of your college curriculum included an internship, you already have some connections in the industry. If not, ask your university about possible job opportunities and do some research online. Some places that may hire oceanographers include:

1. Private companies
2. Research institutes
3. Government institutions
4. College or universities

What better way for an ocean lover to make money than to seek a career studying the sea? It will take focusing on a certain scientific discipline, and will take hard work, but once you have finished your training you will be ready to spend your life studying doing what you love!