Can you tell me about being a biology field researcher?

College Life
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<p>I'm a sophomore in college and am about to declare my major. I love biology and am really leaning towards pursuing a degree in it - but I'm a little unsure of what the career prospects would be. </p>

<p>I don't want to be a physician or go to medical school. I want to be a biologist in whatever concentration I choose to follow (i.e. marine biology, drug research, zoology, microbiology, etc.). The thing I'm scared of is working in a lab day in and day out. I'd much rather be outside and in the field. I would love a job of collecting specimen and observing wildlife. </p>

<p>I'm wondering how realistic being a field researcher would be? What is the pay like? What exactly do you do? Is it fairly reasonable to go into biology without wanting to spend my life in a lab? </p>

<p>I should also note that my end goal would be to get a PhD in my field. So with that in mind, don't just give me entry-level job descriptions. I have the grades and support to pursue a doctorate so that is what I plan on doing. So with a PhD does that make it easier for me to go the route I want to go in? Could I do field research in the process of getting my PhD? Any advice on what direction my career can go?</p>

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<p>I’m a biology major right now and also dislike labs - so very much. But I also dislike field work haha :p. Population bio lab was the pits. So I’m thinking seriously of changing my major…</p>

<p>Anyway, have you considered biology and then focusing on ecology? Unless your school offers a specific field biology major then maybe go with that. The pay probably won’t be especially great without a phD, and I’m not even sure about pay prospects with a phD…but at that level you’ll probably have the ability to get grants, etc. to study whatever it is your heart desires so you’re not stuck in a lab at least. You’ll have more freedom to do what you want, and if you really enjoy the work then the pay doesn’t matter so much ;). One of my biology professors loves being outdoors, and he does all sorts of outdoor trips with students on breaks, etc. He used to work in an office/lab and absolutely hated it so I guess being a professor was a nice change of pace for him. </p>

<p>Have you considered becoming a professor?</p>