right arrow
Informational Message Stay on top of the information you need to navigate the admissions process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We've got articles, videos and forum discussions that provide answers to all of your test prep, admissions and college search questions.   Visit our COVID-19 resource page.

Introducing Kai!
Your College Confidential guide bot.


Kai can provide tips and support as you research and apply to colleges, and explore majors and careers.





Chat with Kai
here, 24/7!


or Skip Forever

Spain? Italy? Hawaii? Where do you want to travel WHILE getting college credit? REGISTER NOW for a virtual College Fair on Sept. 29!
PARENTS4PARENTS: AfroPuffMom is the mother of two boys, a college junior and a high school junior. She has extensive experience reviewing applications for high-achieving, first-generation students. ASK HER ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our September Checklist for HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.

Majors that pay well + not a desk job???

Typewriter110Typewriter110 2 replies6 threads New Member
in Business Major
Hi all,
Looking for a STEM major that can lead to a job where I am not sitting in front of a computer all day...and pays well, too. Does such a major/career path exist? I enjoy having free time and would prefer not be confined to a desk job. I put this in the business forum because I thought business majors can lead to some more interesting jobs...is that true?
Note: I am not interested in medical/pre-med majors.
6 replies
· Reply · Share

Replies to: Majors that pay well + not a desk job???

  • ucbalumnusucbalumnus 84666 replies752 threads Senior Member
    In many kinds of engineering, you would do some desk work, but also do work in a lab or at a job site.
    · Reply · Share
  • taverngirltaverngirl 1799 replies46 threads Senior Member
    Construction Management.
    · Reply · Share
  • retiredfarmerretiredfarmer 1275 replies3 threads Senior Member
    Environmental studies and Civil Engineering. The US infrastructure is in very poor shape. They cannot put it off for ever. You are looking for job opportunities when you graduate. These are not entirely desk jobs, but you need a solid math/STEM education.
    · Reply · Share
  • MWolfMWolf 3001 replies14 threads Senior Member
    retiredfarmer wrote: »
    Environmental studies and Civil Engineering. The US infrastructure is in very poor shape. They cannot put it off for ever. You are looking for job opportunities when you graduate. These are not entirely desk jobs, but you need a solid math/STEM education.

    Or environmental engineering.

    Most consulting companies who write environmental impact statements have their people spending a lot of time in the field. Engineers working in the field get engineering salaries. Geologists and engineers who work for fossil fuel and mining companies make a lot.

    Archaeologists can also make decent salaries, especially those working with developers or with environmental consulting companies.

    If you like living in remote areas, a park ranger or a wildlife biologist are also good jobs, The salaries aren't at the very top, but $60,000-$65,000 a year can go pretty far when you are living in rural Wyoming.
    · Reply · Share
  • retiredfarmerretiredfarmer 1275 replies3 threads Senior Member
    edited July 25
    When real solutions need to be applied to actual problems, the interdisciplinary nature of a solution becomes apparent. Solutions are rarely limited to text book problems. This means that you can find programs in environmental studies in many different departments and under different headings.

    All course structures are not the same.

    Regarding the term "Environmental Engineering:"
    There is a long standing accreditation group called The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or ABET. You can find a listing of these ABET accredited programs @ https://amspub.abet.org/aps/name-search?searchType=program&keyword=environmental

    Many engineering directed companies will hire on campuses which participate in ABET programs.
    edited July 25
    · Reply · Share
  • ucbalumnusucbalumnus 84666 replies752 threads Senior Member
    Note that environmental engineering is sometimes a subarea of civil engineering in colleges' departmental organization, since some of the problems to be solved are similar (e.g. clean water infrastructure, waste water treatment, pollution control, etc.).
    · Reply · Share
Sign In or Register to comment.

Recent Activity