Studying loaches?

[pedzola]

For all of the "professionals" out there...

I've decided it's time for a drastic career change, before I get too old. I currently work in IT, but I've decided that I need to do something meaningful with my life. After evaluating my interests, I decided that a life of science pursuing the interests of aquarium fish would be "meaningful" for me.

My question is... how do I get started? Does anyone here work in aquaria or aquaculture, in a research capacity?

I have a business degree (MIS, UConn, Dec. '03). I've tried searching through curriculums at various American universities, only to find a huge amount of "Marine Biology" courses, but nothing relating to freshwater fish or closed aquatic systems.

Does anyone know where I might be able to start? I thought I might first try to find somebody who works in the field. Ideally, a faculty member at a university who I might be able to study with. Does anyone know of any Universities that offer graduate-level study in limnology, or the ecology of tropical freshwater environments?

I could be a "Master of Loaches". ha! (I wonder if they'd agree...)

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance you can provide.

- Chris

[TammyLiz]

Unfortunately, I believe all on this forum are just hobbiests. The knowledge here is limited to personal experience on keeping loaches. Hopefully someone will speak up and prove me wrong, though, for your sake. I WISH I could make money researching fish. You do seem a bit more qualified, though. I wish you all the luck.

Tammy

[Martin Thoene]

Hobbyists yeah, but we have friends in high places. Pedzola, check your Private Mail.

Martin.

[Mark in Vancouver]

My guess is that like most interesting studies, the cool stuff begins with undergraduate work. It's an academic change you'd be looking at, and you're doomed to the prerequisite marine biology courses.

Other approaches would be things like hassling local shops and services who might need aquarium caretakers. My sense is that this is a low-paying and largely thankless job, but like anything, if you love what you work with, you can make it satisfying.

I'm curious about the direction Martin is sending you. I recently looked into an administrative job at a local government research facility, and the frank feedback I got was that there is a bureaucracy to academia that is very hard to circumvent. The PhDs get first dibs and first access to everything, followed by the MSc's, graduates and undergraduates.

I'm not saying it can't be done, and I admire you for wanting to dive in like that. I just mean that it calls for some heavy commitments in terms of money and time. Cool thing to pursue!

[pedzola]

I already thanked Martin privately, but for those of you who are curious, he provided me with the names of a couple of researchers to look up.

THANKS!


Mark... I actually talked to a professor @ my alma mater today (UConn) who teaches "Fish biology."

As you said, he suggested that I would need at least a couple of intro biology and ecology courses behind me before I would be considered for graduate studies.

I'm pretty certain I want to quit my job. I'm starting to waver on my commitment to science right now though.

a PhD is no joke... and its looking like I'd essentially have to start over from square 1.

I had originally hoped to be able to leverage my business and IT background in an "aquatic" environment, but after looking up jobs the academic hierarchy was readily apparent. There was an administrative position at a large aquarium which required a biology degree for what was essentially an accounting role. As for government agencies (NOAA, for example) you can't even apply without a PhD...

Starting to get a little turned off....

Still want to do something meaningful though. CNN.com had an article today about the top 50 jobs in america....

Guess where mine was?

#1.

I was shocked. Software developer???? #1??? $80k average pay? (I am REALLY getting the shaft!) CREATIVE??? ("soul-sucking" is a more appropriate term). I really couldn't believe what I was reading.... especially the part saying the US is going to need 50% more software developers next year.... It was like 1999 all over again.... Right about the time when I picked my college and major.......

Funny enough, they had college professor at #2. Making the same $$, but requiring a PhD. The the College prof they cited the fact that they can basically do whatever they want, whenever they want.

[fusQer]

haha i got a CS degree from utexas , class of 04. im in law school now

[pedzola]

I was thinking about law school. I took the LSAT right after I graduated, but never applied anywhere. I definitely have the grades and stuff to get in if I wanted to.

How do you like it? I'm thinking a career in law, while it would probably be $$, wouldn't be too much better than what I'm doing now....


I dunno. Theres still that "meaningful" question. I could always try to participate in government, but public life isn't something I'm looking for.

[fusQer]

programming was something that wasn't for me, i absolutely hated it, but was stuck in it with no where to go. my grades were terrible but my lsat was really good so i was just glad to get in somewhere. im doing well now, so i cant complain about anything. the only part that will suck is working the 80 hour weeks. maybe ill setup a fish tank at my future office i wont have time for the ones at home...