Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short. You can be working on a farm the summer after high school.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Biology and chemistry are the useful ones. Being able to swim and handle a boat matters more than you would think.

2. 2

   Get on a farm or in a hatchery

   A season

   Summer and seasonal jobs are the normal way in. Oyster farms, trout hatcheries and university research stations all hire.

3. 3

   Certificate or associate degree

   1 to 2 years

   Two-year aquaculture, marine technology or fisheries programs. Many are run by coastal community colleges.

4. 4

   Bachelor's degree, if you want to lead

   4 years

   Fisheries, aquaculture or marine biology. Needed for hatchery management, research and most government positions.

5. 5

   Specialize

   Ongoing

   Shellfish, finfish, water quality, fish health or recirculating systems. Each one is a different kind of employer.