Career working with Marine Mammals? specifically dolpihins/manatees?

Question

I'm a senior in high school and i am doing some college and major searching. I have a particular passion for dolphins and manatees and working hands on with them. I'm not sure of what majors might be beneficial for the area of work i want to work in. I also don't know what colleges to look into. If you have any career, major or college information or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I would prefer to go to college in california but colleges in other states aren't out of the question.

Thanks for your suggestions! =)

Answer 1

It depends on what you want to do with dolphins and manatees as to what you should major in.  If you want to do research, which means you'll have to go to graduate school, then you can get a degree in marine biology, but having a solid foundation with a biology degree is great.  In this case, going to any college or university with a biology program will work.  You might want to find one that has a marine field station though so you could perhaps take courses or assist with research in the summers.

However, if what you want is to do rehabilitation or training with them, then you should look into degrees in wildlife care and take some marine bio and psychology courses to compliment it.  Also, if this is the field you want to go into, then plan on doing as much volunteering and internships (most likely unpaid) as you can.  There are a lot of people for few positions.

Answer 2

You might want to look into taking biology as a major... im a junior and i live in ri the university of ri has a great biology program... i dont really no any colleges in ca

you might want to check out www.waytogori.com i no you dont live in ri but the site really helps with funding majors based on career and colleges and stuff like that...