Marine Studies

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Marine Career Opportunities

Marine Studies students are working in a huge variety of marine related jobs.

The majority of our students continue for one more year after their Diploma to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (AUT) that we deliver at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. This sends them out into the workplace armed with a degree which is full of practical field experience and highly valued by employers. 

Marine graduate employer Andrew Christie

"We have employed a number of marine studies graduates over the years. The course consistently produces well rounded individuals who have a good balance of academic and practical skills that enable us to get them up to speed quickly in their new position. Hence, when we are recruiting for aquarium staff, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is one of the very first ports of call!"

Andrew Christie, Curator, Kelly Tarlton's

Below is a list of jobs graduates held after graduation:

  • Department of Conservation in a variety of roles (normally field based)
  • Fisheries Enforcement Officers or Observers for the Ministry of Fisheries
  • A number have gone on to complete their Primary and Secondary School Teacher Training and are now teaching
  • The NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) aquaculture center at Bream Bay has employed several of our students as has OceaNZ Blue Ltd who are NZ's largest producers of cultured abalone
  • Other aquaculture organisations in Marlborough Sounds, Hawaii, Australia
  • Environmental consultants/surveyers in NZ and Australia
  • PADI Instructors throughout NZ, Australia and the world
  • Dolphin and whale watching operators in NZ and Tonga
  • Field technicians for a number of Universities (Auckland, AUT, Victoria, Waikato)
  • Aquariums in NZ and overseas (Kelly Tarltons, National Aquarium of NZ, Dubai)
  • Regional Councils (ie Environment BOP has employed students to work in GIS, Resource Consents, Coast Care, Environmental Education, Environmental Monitoring Officers, Pest Control, etc)
  • New Zealand Customs
  • Deep sea Remote Operated Vehicles in the North Sea
  • Charter Boat Operators, underwater videography
  • Maritime NZ (Oil spill response leader)
  • Other students continue on to their Masters (the thesis may be able to completed here in the near future).
"Here at the Department of Conservation we've employed many Bay of Plenty Polytechnic marine graduates as full and part-time employees. We've always found them to have fantastic employment credentials - they've got the requisite skills and qualifications, are work-fit and need minimal direct supervision. The practical and academic nature of the Polytechnic's programmes has consistently delivered great additions to our team."

DOC logoChris Clark, Programme Manager (Biodiversity) Kaiwhakahaere Koiora Rereketanga, Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai

We are always interested to know what past graduates are up to. Drop us a line if you have any news.

Have a look what our students and graduates have been up to and don’t forget to check out the profile pages.