<p>I want to pursue a job that allows me to conduct fieldwork and research about solving environmental problems (who doesn’t?)</p>
<p>So what degree would best prepare me for grad school/ a career in this vocation.
And what schools are most respected or sought after by employers?</p>
<p>Geology comes to mind. It’s a relatively small field, but since the number of openings outnumbers the number of geology graduates, the field has a pretty good career outlook.</p>
<p>I have some family members that are in the private sector, it’s not exactly research oriented, but in terms of solving environmental problems on a case-by-case basis it sounds like it’s pretty much what you’re looking for. Anyways, it sounds like they look for a geology degree first and foremost, or depending on the position they might alternatively look for a environmental and earth engineering degree, and secondarily they would be looking for an understanding of economics and biological factors.</p>
<p>Some of the universities that I’ve been told they hire out of (they’re an international corporation, but the office I have knowledge of is based in the midwest, so it’s probably disproportionately skewed that direction): University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Obviously there are more, but those seemed like the big three.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Does being a geologist require a lot of math?</p>
<p>Math is my achilles heel but I am strong in reasoning/ logic and reading comprehension, so what jobs utilize those skills? Environmental Law? Consulting?</p>
<p>It seems that environmental engineering is a field that is good for getting a job (and high paying as well)</p>
<p>Environmental/Green is the buzz word of the week. Tons of students are heading that way and colleges are dutifully creating majors to soak up the tuition money. </p>
<p>But the law of demand and supply still holds - lots of students in a major that was questionable to start with will depress salaries and make jobs very hard to come by.</p>
<p>Instead major in a high salary pre-professional area (I’d say engineering, but you said that your math is weak) such as pre-law, with electives and internships in environmental research. If the environmental stuff becomes yesterdays pet rock, then you would still have high paying credentials.</p>
<p>good idea toadstool</p>
<p>I’d say relative to other sciences, from what I’ve seen so far, geology requires less math than most others. It still does require quite a bit, and a quick look at UMN’s webpage shows that for a BS it’s recommended that you take multivariable calculus, and it’s required that you take linear algebra and differential equations. If you don’t think you could handle those, you might want to consider other options.</p>
<p>As far as I know, consulting is largely connection based, and is heavily dependent on interpersonal skills. If that’s something your good at, or alternatively, are already plugged into, then it might be an option for you. As far as environmental law goes, I genuinely have no clue.</p>
<p>As for toadstool’s comments, yes, environmental is the buzzword of the day. And, yes, environmental science degrees are turning into something of a communications degree equivalence (my intention is not to denigrate either of them, simply to put it into context). However, the actual geology departments at a lot of colleges are still underutilized and there are a lot of jobs out there for individual’s coming from reputable geology departments. Of the 4 people I know that have recently graduated with geology degrees from schools with decent geology departments, 1 is working as a consultant, 1 is assisting with research at a fairly major lab, 1 just finished their masters and is teaching at a comm. college, and 1 doing some kind of work (I have no clue what) for the government. Granted, it’s a limited sample size, and you shouldn’t put too much stock into it, but I wouldn’t be overly surprised if that was the general trend (that is to say it’s reasonable to expect to find work related to the degree).</p>
<p>Don’t do pre-anything. It’s a waste, especially if you change your mind.</p>
<p>OP, check out the Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) major at James Madison University. I dont know where you live but JMU in in Virginia. its a really cool program, granted i am bias because i am currently an ISAT major. you can concentrate in environment. look it up on the internet, its a really innovative program that focuses on practical skills and an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. </p>
<p>Most people havent really heard of it, but it is fairly well respected by people who know about it. also people i have told about it have been really impressed. </p>
<p>I am not just saying all of this. i have an internship at Los Alamos National Lab this summer, and i just finished my sophomore year in the program. My mentor at the la was really impressed with the ISAT program. I will be doing environmental research in the field. </p>
<p>just a suggestion.</p>
<p>I do not think I could handle multivariable calculus, linear algebra or differential equations. It seems someone needs advanced math skills for every career, so I am having a hard time finding my niche… The consulting sounds too uncertain, I would like a degree that is high in demand and can safely line me up for a career after college.</p>
<p>
No. You would definitely need statistics and perhaps calculus. Unless you’re a geophysicist, you wouldn’t need much more than that.</p>
<p>You might check out Pomona’s EA program. </p>
<p>[Environmental</a> Analysis at Pomona](<a href=“http://www.pomonaea.org/]Environmental”>http://www.pomonaea.org/)</p>
<p>Could you show me a source on that IBclass? I would love to believe it but I would like to make sure… If it is true then geology sounds great, is a masters recommended?</p>
<p>Oil geology. You probably can do more for the environment by ensuring the cleanest possible policies among petroleum companies than anywhere else. And for many of the best jobs, a masters will be required. You will need a lot of math.</p>
<p>I am not weak in math compared to the average person(non CCer) but it is just that my cognitive reasoning, analysis, and reading comprehension have always been far better so I would like to play to my strengths.</p>
<p>
Yep. Look at what Chicago recommends.</p>
<p>*General Recommendations</p>
<pre><code>* Geophysical Sciences: Physical Geology, Earth History, and Basic Atmospheric studies (First Year General Geophysical Sciences sequence) or equivalent
<p>Additional Recommendations for Environmental Geology</p>
<pre><code>* Introduction to Mineralogy, Introduction to Petrology, Principles of Stratigraphy, Biogeochemistry and Global Change, Environmental Chemistry
<p>
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook,</p>
<p>A bachelor’s degree is adequate for a few entry-level positions, but most geoscientists need a master’s degree in geology or earth science. A master’s degree is the preferred educational requirement for most entry-level research positions in private industry, Federal agencies, and State geological surveys. A Ph.D. is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions, but it may not be preferred for other jobs.</p>