Switching Majors

[Hellotalkie]

Originally I was environmental policy but recently interviewed an employee who works in that field. Seems the jobs are scarce for that particular field, and what I was hearing, I became less interested in the field. It looked good on paper but actually talking to someone in the field it didn't sound as good.

So I've decided to switch Majors. I would like to stay in my college (environmental and natural resources), so my only option is environmental sciences. It has the same curriculum as environmental policy and mgmt, except more math and science. Which I could get done in a couple quarters.

Does anyone know of the job market or opportunities in this field. I would like to hear from someone in the field and maybe their view on opportunities available. I'm currently researching online but I think asking this forum can be very helpful as well

Thanks ahead!

 

[SandEagle]

you must be allergic to money.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

The environment bubble will implode once Cain takes office. Get out while you still can and pick something in the biology field instead (except evolution).

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Pro tip: Figure out what you're going to study before attending college. Going to college to "find yourself and grow as an adult" was bullshit in the 60's when I first heard it and still is. You may be much more fulfilled by working in an environmental field that doesn't require a degree. There's many more training and educational opportunities than going to college.

 

[IronWing]

Are you planing to go to grad school? With a BS or BA in any environmental science you are looking at lab tech or field tech positions with low pay and little advancement opportunity. Most likely employers would be state governments which are notorious for low pay. With the current frac gas and coal bed methane booms you might land a field job with a drilling company if you are willing to move with the boom. Again, advancement is very difficult with a BS or BA and with energy, when the boom is gone so are you.

 

[bigpimpatl]

dude, major in something that will allow you put a roof on your head and food on the table.

Mathematics, physics, engineering, even business would be better choices. At least you'd be taking more math and science courses I guess.

 

[bhanson]

Pro tip: Figure out what you're going to study before attending college. Going to college to "find yourself and grow as an adult" was bullshit in the 60's when I first heard it and still is. You may be much more fulfilled by working in an environmental field that doesn't require a degree. There's many more training and educational opportunities than going to college.

For most people it is not that simple. Most 18-year-olds do not know their head from their arse.

By the way, I am all for the technical school route as a viable option for a lot of people, but I do think the "develop a whole person" methodology of college is valid.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

For most people it is not that simple. Most 18-year-olds do not know their head from their arse.

By the way, I am all for the technical school route as a viable option for a lot of people, but I do think the "develop a whole person" methodology of college is valid.

I agree with the first part. My point is that not only don't you HAVE to go to college, if you decide you do want to go, you can go at an older age. I can say from my own experience that older students have quite a few advantages over the kids straight from HS.

Universities were designed to broaden your perspectives. However, if you have no life experience to compare those broadened perspectives with, you are left with a purely academic view of the world. That may seem rather obvious but, the result in the real world is either arrogance or, being overwhelmed in the short run and, disdain or, distrust of the knowledge gained from school in the long run. Obviously it depends a great deal on the character of the individual but, character is gained by making real life mistakes and having successes that matter not, getting drunk and missing class or scoring with a hot sorority slut. You must have a framework to support and give order to the knowledge gained from school.

 

[Rudee]

I completed a Mechanical Engineering program in University back in 1996. And to be honest, it wasn't something I was that terribly interested in taking, but I took it because I figured it would give me a fairly high level of job security compared to other occupations. It's kind of comforting to know that I can quit my job and pretty much have multiple offers for another job in the same field on the following day. Mind you, I live in Alberta Canada, where the demand for Engineers in various disciplines is huge, so pretty much anybody who graduates from an Engineering program here can likely pull in a six-figure income fairly quickly upon graduation.

 

[Gibson486]

From a person who came from the environmental field, all I can ask is....are you nuts? That field is growing a lot and it is not slowing down. That said, I am talking from the perspective of an EE. Let me know if you have anymore questions.