Vincent Hyland - Marine photograph

Vincent Hyland is a marine wildlife film maker, photographer and artist. He sells his prints, paintings and DVDs, and specialises in producing digital content for Vincenteducational use.

Vincent did a degree in geology. However, he was always interested in marine science and wildlife. He remembers being fascinated by water life and the work of Eamon de Buitléar and Jacques Cousteau when growing up. This led him to take up scuba diving and underwater film, both activities which he has nurtured throughout his career.

His film subjects include whale sharks and hammerhead sharks, filmed in the Galapagos Islands in 2000. He has also produced “Ireland Seabirds and Marine life”, a DVD exploring our fascinating marine wildlife above and below water. Vincent is also a talented artist, producing marine wildlife illustrations for magazines, newspapers and books.

Degree

BSc (Geology), NUI Galway, 1983

Background

Vincent is originally from Dublin. He worked for Microsoft in technical publishing, digital media and business development, before setting up an award-winning Irish wildlife and environmental website and magazine ‘Wild Ireland’, in 1999.

What’s so brilliant about your job?

“The sea gives me a real sense of freedom. You not only develop an in-depth knowledge of the sea but also of the marine flora and fauna that inhabit it. Having dived and filmed marine wildlife in places from Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands, you learn to appreciate what we have at home here.”

“I also love the science behind the wildlife I film. I can invoke my knowledge of digital technology to bring to life what I do best. The unpredictable nature of my work is a good thing – it keeps the mind active.”

What do you like least about your job?

“When I am at home editing my work, I sometimes wish that I was back out there in the wild.”

How do you spend a typical day?

“If I am at sea, planning and implementing the day’s diving and filming routine. If I am in research mode, finding out the best places to record what I am filming – habitat, behaviour and likelihood of encountering.”

“If I am at home editing, assessing the best sequences and assembling. Or painting – seeing a blank canvass develop into a picture of marine wildlife through my eyes. Or building my website – working at the design, writing and editing to get the best representation of what I am trying to put across. Or teaching – seeing children’s reactions to the marine wildlife I have recorded.”

Does your work require a lot of equipment?

“Yes – from computers and software to underwater lights, camera housings, boats, diving gear, safety equipment, communication gear and transport.”

Are you a science/engineering/technology nerd?

“Yes. I love the technical side to portable computing and digital broadcasting – bringing rich content to people. I am particularly interested in alternatives to the linear representation of the world through television.”

Did those subjects give you a buzz at school?

“These subjects were not available at school but yes, I am passionate about science and art also. I believe the creative mind has a lot to do with our ability to visualize and solve the mysteries that science seeks to answer.”

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

“Wild Ireland magazine, filming and webcasting Jackie and Daw (the natural nesting behaviour of a pair of jackdaws) and producing the DVD Ireland – Seabirds and Marine life.”

Learn more on Vincent’s website

Holland began work on submarine design after emigrating to New Jersey. Initially funded by The Fenians, who wanted to use Holland’s submarines against British warships, his first sub sank after someone forgot to install the screw plugs.

He went on to design a series of submarines “suitable for war”. It was not until after his death that Holland became widely recognised and renowned as the inventor of the modern submarine.

In 1964 a plaque was erected in Liscannor to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his death. The town’s Castle Street has been renamed Holland Street in his honour.

Visiting Liscannor but haven’t got a submarine handy? You can still see sharks, congor eels, starfish and other Atlantic Coast underwater life at Lahinch Seaworld. Or, look for fossil tracks of marine animals in Liscannor Stone, a variety of 300 million year old local stone.

The Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Cave are only a short drive away.

Read more about John Phillip Holland

Dr Sarah Varien - Marine Environment Consultant

What were the main “career decision” milestones in your life so far?

For me, making the decision to do a course or a degree was the easy part. The difficult decisions were made afterwards once I entered the workplace and I moved around a lot before I found an environment that suited me.

Apart from my interest in the subject of biology, one of the main motivations for me was to feel like I was making a positive difference to the environment. If I was in a job that wasn’t fulfilling that need, I just ended up moving on.

It’s also important to consider that work may not be the only influence in your life, so there are other factors that will inevitably shape your career too (e.g. where you want to live, the hours you work, spending time with loved ones etc).

Who most influenced your career direction?

My parents would have had the greatest influence on me making the decision to study marine biology. They have always been enthusiastic about wildlife and the environment and they very much supported me when I expressed an interest in going to Galway to do my degree.

Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?

Opting for a career in nature conservation is very much a lifestyle choice. In a way, you are turning a hobby into work and that has its pros and cons.

On the one hand, you have the luxury of almost always being interested and excited about your work. Sometimes I forget that I am working because I am so into what I’m doing.

On the other hand, the world of wildlife is full of people who are utterly dedicated to what they are doing, and it’s not unusual for people to work long, long hours (e.g. 70 hour weeks). This makes things very competitive.

It’s also not a career that can guarantee much security from a financial point of view as most of the work is contract based. For me, the enthusiasm I feel for my work makes up for this, but I think it really depends on the individual as to what they consider to be acceptable.

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

My role as business director and manager obviously involves certain responsibilities, ensuring that projects are well run and that we are on track for meeting targets and goals.

My work as a science communicator is all about holding the audience’s attention, so energy, enthusiasm and a sense of humour tend to go a long way with that one.

When I’m working on scientific surveys, my formal scientific training comes into play as I need to be independent and objective in the way that I evaluate the environment. It’s important not to allow your feelings for a subject to bias the results.

What are the main challenges?

The main challenges for me are all related to the business management side of things, e.g. fundraising, meeting numerous deadlines, making do with limited resources, managing time etc. The science itself is fun and easy in comparison.

What’s cool?

Getting out in the field, traveling, getting close to wildlife, meeting lots of interesting people, being able to try out ideas, seeing a child’s eyes light up when they touch a starfish for the first time, breathing in the sea air…

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

I took eight subjects for my Leaving Cert, including the three sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) and music.

In hindsight, I think it probably would have been best to take two science subjects. The workload was very heavy with so many practical subjects (I never had any time to practice the piano!).

I also think it might have been worth studying Spanish rather than French, as it might have been more useful from a globetrotter’s perspective.

Sarah Varien - Marine Environment Consultant

What is your education to date?

• Secondary level: Alexandra College, Dublin
• Tertiary level: BSc Hons in Zoology (1st class), PhD in Fish Biology and Behaviour, University College Galway
• Diving Qualifications: PADI Divemaster

What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

Pretty much all of my education. I think there is a tendency for people to focus on subjects that are directly related, e.g. biology or chemistry, but I believe that subjects that receive less emphasis, such as English, are just as important.

A scientist needs to be able to draw upon a whole range of skills in order to be successful in his or her career. For example, good communication skills (both written and spoken) are becoming increasingly important in the science world.

Do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?

I am currently attending the Wicklow Enterprise Board’s Management Development Programme which is certified by the Carlow Institute of Technology.

Because I am running a small business, I need to be looking at constantly improving my business management skills.

I have also signed up for a Wicklow Enterprise Board workshop that focuses on developing media skills. Other areas that I would like to get training on are project management and fundraising skills for NGOs.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

I think that the day that I realised that my business, Marine Dimensions, was actually viable (at least until 2009) was the most rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Think carefully about pursuing a career that requires a very strong sense of commitment and dedication. If they’re dreaming about that Louis Vuitton handbag or a permanent pensionable job, it’s probably not going to suit them.

But on the positive side, if he or she loves discovery and exploration, well then deciding to be a marine biologist or zoologist might be the best choice they ever made.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Determination, enthusiasm for the subject and hard work will get you where you want to go, no matter what your skills are. I would also say that a strong sense of integrity and a good sense of humour should serve you well too.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Working with an environmental consultancy, assisting scientific researchers in a university or research institute or working as a volunteer with any of the environmental NGOs.