What are decent jobs that involve working with/around the ocean?
I've had my heart set on working in an aquatic setting in some way, but I haven't figured out what way yet. I'm 22 and haven't started college, but I live in a coastal area so there's a lot of schools that offer courses related to oceanography/marine biology. However, I'm not sure what pathways would result in the best outcome, especially from the financial aspect.
Initially I thought about working on boats for long periods of time, but unfortunately I started having seizures at 19, so I'm not eligible to get a merchant mariner credential, which seems to be a standard requirement for working out at sea. Also means no scuba diving for me. So I'm wondering what other options there are if I were to go into college for a related field. I don't want to spend years going to college for a degree I either can't use or only gets me another minimum wage job. I'm also not entirely sure how the job market is for this field and if I'd even be able to get a job.
Worst case, I'm thinking of just doing a trade school instead, but that feels like giving up. So I'm saving that as a last resort if no other pathway seems to be possible.