Aquaculture

Although students may not have had any field experience in aquaculture, there are still plenty of skills that employers often value even more highly. These skills are often learned gradually over time, rather than being taught, and can be applied to a wide variety of jobs. 

• Communication - Being able to communicate clearly and efficiently with team members, other specialists, and suppliers -- both verbally and in writing -- are skills students have likely learned throughout their education before and during college. These skills can be shown through proficiency in emailing and in interpersonal communication.  

• Teamwork and collaboration - Whether it's a research position or a manager position, working well with other people allows for more efficient work. This skill can be shown through group collaboration and the ability to navigate conflict.

• Time management and organization- In aquaculture, this skill allows for critical timing and precision needed to successfully manage a task in an aquaculture operation and ensure organism health. Although students may not have experience working in a hatchery, aquaculture facility, or farm, for example, many have had to balance classes, work, and extracurricular activities.  This balance will prepare them for future endeavors where time management is critical. Furthermore, time management and organization are critical to developing a research project or experiment and ensuring it is completed well in a timely manner.

• Leadership and Management- Taking initiative and being able to make decisions independently will also be needed as problems inevitably arise. While people must work together and communicate, being able to work together is what most employers look for.

• Dedication and work ethic-  Aquaculture is hard work, so a strong work ethic and reliability allow workers to be successful in research, technician position etc. Passion, willingness to learn, and motivation you bring to a job are qualities that cannot always be taught and make you stand out to employers. 

• Flexibility and adaptability: In aquaculture, things change with the tides! Being open and willing to learn new skills quickly and often are integral to the field of aquaculture. While you may have never had to deal with changing tides literally, adaptability and flexibility can be showcased through your ability to learn in a variety of learning formats (online, variable teaching formats between professors!)

• and many more. Think about what skills you bring to the table to showcase who you are as a worker. Check out the Career Development Center for more.

While all skills are teachable, having previous experience in these fields (and explaining that experience!) can set you apart from other applicants.

• Aquaculture and Life Support Systems Knowledge
• Aquatic Organism Biology and Physiology
• Aquatic Organism Health Assessment/Management
• Business and Financial Management
• Data Analysis
• Experimental Design
• Field Work Experience
• Natural Resource Management Knowledge 
• Plumbing and Use of Hand Tools
• SCUBA certifications
• Small Boat Operation & Certifications
• Water Quality Monitoring and Analysis
• etc.

Public Agencies

• Inland Fish Science Program
• Northwest Fisheries Science Center
• ODFW Oregon Hatchery Center
• Oregon Kelp Alliance
• Oregon Sea Grant
• USDA Pacific Shellfish Research Unit

Oregon State University Facilities

• Aquaculture at Hatfield Marine Science Center
• Aquatic Animal Health Lab (AAHL)
• Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station
• OSU Seafood Lab
• State Fisheries Genomics Lab

These facilities/programs are not run by MACO. Visit their websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Aquaculture Internships for Massachusetts (AIM)
• AquEOUS - REEU at the University of Maine
• Cooperative Institute for Climate Ocean and Ecosystem Services
• The Florida Aquarium Coral Husbandry Internship
• Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery Internship
• Maine Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program
• MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium: Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture Internship 
• Minorities In Aquaculture
• OASIS - Oregon Applied Sustainability Internships
• Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholars | Oregon State University
• Oyster Aquaculture Training | ABC | Virginia Institute of Marine Science
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (please note this is a link to a job board not an internship board)
• and many more, check out Handshake-- OSU's university-job board with on- and off-campus jobs and internships

These programs are not run by MACO. Visit their websites for the most up-to-date information.

The OSU Small Boat Program provides students and faculty with the resources and training they need to safely operate small boats, both motorized and paddle boats. In addition, they have a small fleet of boats available for current boaters to use on research excursions. 

Check out the two-year Fisheries Technology degree at Mt. Hood Community College! This degree will prepare you for a career as a fish culturist or fishery technician. Jobs within these fields can be found at private, state, and federal agencies. You will learn about fish biology and fisheries management. A large portion of this program will provide hands-on experience through field study projects, such as working in the campus fish hatchery.

OCCC's AQS Program is widely recognized and respected throughout the industry as one of the best programs in the country to learn the science of aquatic animal husbandry. Students learn the technical aspects of working with many different species of fish, along with corals and other invertebrates, and learn marketable skills to earn positions working in public aquaria, fish hatcheries, research institutions, aquaculture facilities, and other facets of the industry. The program offers a one-year certificate, two-year Associate’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor’s degree.

The Marine Resource Management (MRM) graduate program at Oregon State University starts with coursework within the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, but can go almost anywhere! It offers six flexible areas of study, including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, to prepare students for future careers at the interface of science and society — within government, nonprofits, academia, industry, or consulting.

Aquatic Veterinary Educational Opportunities: For those interested in aquatic veterinary, WAVMA provides educational opportunities geared towards upper-division and post-graduate students, including scholarships, educational programs, and short courses. The Certified Aquatic Veterinarian Program (CertAqV) is usually taken by OSU veterinary sciences students, and it aims to assist and certify veterinarians with the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to practice as aquatic veterinarians.

• Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
• IAA Scholarship — Innovate Animal Ag

These programs are not run by MACO, visit the program websites for more information