<p>Alright guys, hoping I can get some help here. Here's the deal: I'm an Environmental Science major with a concentration in Applied Ecology. Now I know the job market right now is favorable for ES majors but usually that requires a Masters or PHD which I have no plans for in the near future. Now that wouldn't be a big deal but I have been in school for about 5 years now and pay for my own education so you can see what i'm dealing with. I need to get done and gaurantee a job. I only have a few classes left, but due to scheduling conflicts, I have to split it into two semesters leaving me part time each semester. I figure I should add a minor to make me more marketable. I want to be able to find a job with a typcally higher starting salary and read somewhere that Environmental Economics is where its at. I was wondering if it would be worth it to pursue an Econ minor? Would Econ be compatible with a BS in Environmental Science? Would that look the same to employers as an Environmental Economics degree? Or should I just double major in Environmental Economics and Environmental Science since the the double major in Environmental Econ is only 3 more classes to the Econ minor. But, I don't really want to overload my last year. Or what minor would best complement and give me more job opportunities with a BS in Envr. Science Applied Ecology. Any help would be great. </p>
<p>Also, is it a lot of work to get a phd or master in environmental engineering from a BS in Envr Science Applied Ecology.</p>
<p>A minor in anything is unlikely to impress employers since it doesn’t mean much more than a few classes in a given subject. That said, taking certain (practical in orientation) economics classes – or statistics – will certainly teach you some valuable skills which you can then emphasize in your applications and interviews.</p>
<p>Have you considered taking Spanish? A working knowledge of Spanish is hugely helpful in much of the US.</p>
<p>What I’ve heard (take with several grains of salt) is that people come into grad programs like this with either a science background or an econ background. I don’t know if having the minor in one subject or the other is common or a major help in either entry-level jobs or for eventual grad school admissions. Since you’re going to be spreading out your remaining coursework over two semesters, it sounds like you have time for some informational interviews with people in the field. See if any of your professors, or your school’s career services office, could help you set up opportunities to talk to potential employers just so you can get the lay of the land.</p>
<p>This may sound weird but a minor focusing on Geography where you can get GIS classes is very practical and surprisingly marketable. Some colleges offer a Certificate in GIS, some have a geography major/minor, but that particular skill set fits well with your degree and could lead to a real job–it’s an actual technical skill.</p>