<p>Hey, I have wanted to be a wildlife biologist for some time, but I have discovered a love for astronomy and physics. It really amazes me. I am still in high school, however I like to plan ahead. I think I like both topics equally, so which one should I gear my study towards? Thanks.</p>
<p>If you mean job prospects, you may want to look at the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys-4.html#post15518814[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1121619-university-graduate-career-surveys-4.html#post15518814</a> .</p>
<p>Wildlifeman, what metrics are you using to choose between them?</p>
<p>Employment prospects for both Astronomy and Biology majors are pretty bleak. I got my BS in Astronomy and ended up going to medical school and getting an MD from Drexel in Philadelphia. A Biology degree is only worth it if you can get accepted to medical school. I would guess that most people with degrees in Astronomy are actually working as computer programmers or financial analysts where their quantitative skills are attractive to potential employers.</p>
<p>Emergent, I would like to consider things such as job opportunity, years of school needed which will then relate to debt most likely, and things of this nature.</p>
<p>Here is an organization that anyone can join, degreed or not:</p>
<p>[AAVSO</a> | American Association of Variable Star Observers](<a href=“http://www.aavso.org/]AAVSO”>http://www.aavso.org/)</p>
<p>You might wish to pursue stable, gainful employment and follow your science interests on the side.</p>
<p>@Lemaitre1:</p>
<p>Since a bio degree isn’t a requirement for med school, how is it useful?</p>
<p>@Wildlifeman - </p>
<p>If you’re dead set on being a scientist, then you’ll have to decide whether to go for a biology or astronomy degree. But know this…you’ll have to get a Ph.D if you want to be a biologist or astronomer/physicist. And that means years of training. Then paying your dues as a postdoc. It also means being flexible and open to working for non-academic institutions, including profit or non-profit entities.</p>
<p>Along the way, you’re going to see many previously ambitious scientists and scientists-in-training drop out for one reason or another. But if you’re really smart, work hard, and have some luck on your side, the payoff can be very rewarding if you stick with it.</p>
<p>The downside is that, if you find out that you can’t or don’t want to cut it as a scientist, a 4 year degree in Astronomy or Biology (by itself) isn’t going to help you very much as far as job prospects are concerned. </p>
<p>So my advice to you is to do an honest self-assessment. What are you truly interested in…and will work VERY hard for…? And what are your strengths and weaknesses?</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>thanks nwcrazy, it helps a lot.</p>
<p>As far as job prospects go, physics is much better for finding work with a B.S. than either Biology or Astronomy. In addition, if you choose to go into graduate school in astronomy, it is relatively easy to do from physics. As a physics major you can even choose to go to graduate school in the field of BioPhysics, where having the strong quantitative background is a plus.</p>
<p>xraymancs, with a major in physics, just a B.S., would it be a worth it to pursue a masters or PHD?</p>