Confused on Where to Go

[CR_Student]

Hey guys. I'm a high school senior, and I want to get into the environmental field. I'm interested in and passionate about conservation, and I want to make a difference given the threats of global warming, species' extinction, etc. Haven't really found what I want to focus in, which isn't a big concern because I have a lot of time left. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what I want to major in for college, and I'm somewhat confused. The college that I want to attend has a biology major with an environmental focus. But, I've read online that, because of how many pre-meds take a biology major, it really has no value anymore. I'm willing to earn a masters degree after college, but I'm debating whether the biology major in undergraduate would be good enough for my field or whether I should major in something like business and then go into a science masters (doesn't make sense, I know, but just something I read). Where should I go from here? Feel free to add anything that I didn't mention. Thanks for any advice in advance!

[Genecks]

Generally, people become biology majors, go to graduate school, and then do field work if possible.

You should be able to get a decent amount of research experience doing ecological research.

Make sure you have a strong background in statistics. Some knowledge of psychology might help, along with sociology.

 

Yeah, I do agree that the biology major does suck for a person primarily interested in ecology/environment, though: Most of such a curriculum is not applicable to what an ecologist is getting involved in.

Edited July 27, 2011 by Genecks

[CR_Student]

Thanks for replying. The only majors (except for business/accounting and a dual-course engineering program) that the college offers that I think would relate to environmental work are biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental studies, and physics. I know biology isn't the greatest major, so that's why I'm thinking of adding a practical minor to it like accounting just to help with looking for work. Just a little bit depressing given how everyone seems to say that science majors are worthless and only engineering/business majors do well.

Edited July 27, 2011 by CR_Student

[Genecks]

Thanks for replying. The only majors (except for business/accounting and a dual-course engineering program) that the college offers that I think would relate to environmental work are biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental studies, and physics. I know biology isn't the greatest major, so that's why I'm thinking of adding a practical minor to it like accounting just to help with looking for work. Just a little bit depressing given how everyone seems to say that science majors are worthless and only engineering/business majors do well.

 

Science majors aren't worthless. But they tend to be worth more than social science, art, and humanities majors.

Without the science majors, there would not be medical science advancements, and society would be at a medical standstill.

Post-doc researchers make about 35k+ USD.

 

I often see a positive correlation between individual salary and the worth of grants brought in by said individual. This trend tends to be the same in business firms if your boss isn't trying to screw you over.

 

Yeah, business majors tend to make more money, though. Shorter time involved, and so forth. I advise people to actually get involved with business and some other major, because it's financially rewarding to do so.

 

I would say check out the environmental studies major. Furthermore, start messaging some of the environmental/ecology professors around that uni/college and start asking them for advice. Maybe try to meet and talk with them rather than an advisor: Ask for open office hours.

Edited July 27, 2011 by Genecks

[CharonY]

Simply put, the major is not really terribly important. A strong focus on premeds is a bit unfortunate, but if they teach a decent foundation in ecology you should be good. The decision of the major will only have a relatively small impact, especially considering that you have not a particular career path in mind.

[CR_Student]

Thanks to the advice so far. The major at the college itself isn't tailored to pre-meds. You can choose to take ecology and environmental classes instead of medical courses. I meant that biology in general is useless because of how many pre-meds who don't end up in medical school have it. Besides biology, I'm also strongly considering either chemistry or biochemistry with ecology classes thrown in. I just don't know if either of those has stronger job prospects or not. The environmental studies major really doesn't have many science classes; it's more focused on the social side of it. Environmental science was eliminated last year.

 

By the way, I'm entering my senior year of high school next year. Right now I'm just trying to decide which major to declare on my college applications. Given the debt ceiling issues and economic problems, I'm just a bit worried over what I should do.

[CharonY]

I do not understand how the number of people having a major in an area is going to make it worthless. The only thing you get with a major is some first theoretical insights in it. It is not really a technical training at that stage. Again, the major alone is unlikely to set you on a certain career path.

[CR_Student]

Thanks for all of the advice so far. I've looked over some of the careers in environmental science and I have a few ideas. Right now, I'm really interested in research of agriculture, plants, and natural resources. Chemistry and biology are really the fields that interest me the most, with chemistry slightly winning out. One idea would be to go for a biochemistry degree while focusing on the environment rather than medicine. Another possibility would be for a chemistry degree with a biology minor focused on ecology. Haven't decided which track would be better, but fortunately the two degrees are run through the same department, so it isn't too tough to change. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

Has anyone heard of environmental chemistry? It sounds like a great field for what I want to do, but I'm not sure how the career prospects are right now. Hopefully someone knows a little bit more about it.

Edited August 2, 2011 by CR_Student