June 2025 | Oceanography
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What did your oceanographic education (or academic
career) give you that is useful in your current job?
My academic training provided me with a strong foundation in
observational oceanography, along with technical skills in sci
entific writing, data analysis, and project management. Equally
important were the practical and soft skills I developed, such
as public speaking, networking, and communicating science to
diverse audiences—all of which are crucial in my current role.
Is there any course or other training you would have
liked to have had as part of your graduate education to
meet the demands of the job market?
While my education thoroughly prepared me for the scientific
aspects of the job, I would have benefited from formal train
ing in project management, leadership, and public engagement.
These skills are essential for coordinating large-scale initiatives,
managing teams, and effectively communicating ocean science
beyond academia.
Is the job satisfying? What aspects of the job do
you like best/least?
Absolutely. As an early career ocean professional from a devel
oping country, I know first-hand how transformative training
programs and fellowships can be. My favorite part of the job is
creating similar opportunities for others, knowing the impact
they can have. I review every application we receive very care
fully, fully aware—through my own experience—of how these
opportunities can shape careers. I also love meeting our trainees
and staying in touch with them later through NANO.
The aspect I enjoy the least is the volume of administrative
work and reporting. While essential, these tasks can sometimes
be time-consuming and take time away from more engaging
aspects of my role.
Do you have any recommendations for new grads
looking for jobs?
Make the most of every learning opportunity—whether through
internships, volunteering in a university lab, or engaging in out
reach and extension activities. Start building your professional
network early by connecting with mentors, attending events,
and exploring opportunities beyond traditional academia. These
experiences will help strengthen your CV and make it more
compelling. Oceanography is a vast field that offers many excit
ing and unexpected career paths—stay open to new possibilities!
ARTICLE DOI. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2025.307
Degree: When, where, what, and
what in?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in ocean
ography in 2004 from the Federal
University of Paraná (UFPR) - Brazil,
followed by a master’s degree in zool
ogy in 2008 at the same university.
I completed my PhD in biological
oceanography in 2013 at the Federal
University of Pernambuco (UFPE),
Brazil. Throughout my academic jour
ney, my research focused on the con
servation of marine animals, particu
larly sea turtles.
Did you stay in academia at all, and if so, for how long?
Although I’ve always appreciated the academic environment,
my involvement was limited to the time between my undergrad
uate studies and completion of my PhD. Throughout this period,
I was fully engaged in research and academic life. However, I
was also drawn to outreach and science communication activi
ties, which eventually inspired me to explore professional paths
beyond academia.
Flávia M. Guebert, Director, Coral Vivo Project, Coral Vivo Institute,
Santa Cruz Cabrália, Bahia, Brazil (flavia.guebert@coralvivo.org.br)
How did you go about searching for a job outside of the
university setting?
In truth, I never waited for a formal transition—I was already
building bridges outside academia while still a student. During
my undergraduate years, I helped create a small marine animal
rehabilitation center on campus to care for injured sea turtles.
I later met my graduate advisor, who was also president of an
environmental NGO, and I immediately became fully engaged
with the group’s initiatives—offering training courses, receiv
ing interns (including international students), and organizing
immersion programs based on my practices.
Still as an undergraduate, I proposed and established a line of
research and outreach at my university that focused on marine
wildlife conservation, engaging other students and building
connections between science and society.
Later, during my PhD in the northeast of Brazil, I expanded
my focus to include human dimensions of conservation—study
ing fishing practices, turtle poaching, and the role of protected
areas in coastal communities.
After completing my doctorate, I took a brief pause with the
birth of my first daughter. But soon after, I applied for a coordi
nator position in one of Brazil’s leading coral reef conservation
NGOs. Following a long and competitive process, I was pleased
to be selected.