<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10590479#post10590479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kodyboy
If you work in the aquarium trade, or at a public aquarium, I can PROMISE you, you will not want that "HUGE TANK" at home...
VERY VERY TRUE!
I third that, I've found it's better to leave hobbies, hobbies and careers, careers. I think this is especially true in the sciences.
There are some exceptions, but you will be overworked, under payed, always "under the microscope". especially in academia, the bureaucracy just never ends and will quite possibly drain any last ounce of ambition you may have. Some people don't mind all this, but I've found this is not true for the majority.
One alternative to consider would be aquaculture engineering.
It is a much more applied degree than marine bio and probably has better career prospectives, especially without a PhD.
As for money, don't expect to get rich. I do know professors making, upper six-figure salaries, but they also are bringing in $30,000,000+ grants. Skill and determination will help get you to this point, but there is also a lot of luck (and unfortunately, politics) involved in getting to this point, but also plenty of luck...
starting salaries are more like $65-75K and only maybe 1/3 of these people eventually get tenure.
if you really love marine bio and are aware of the difficulties then go for it, just be aware...