I am currently 3 years into my BA in geography with a minor in environmental studies. I’ve realized that I really want a job helping the environment, and while geography can possibly lead me there, the options are limited and not well paid. I’ve been researching getting an MS in environmental science, possible concentrating in sustainable energy, but most jobs that I see online want environmental engineers, not scientists. When looking at the coursework for many Envs Sci masters, I feel like not a lot of the classes will actually help me obtain a good job. I’m considering either switching to get a BS in environmental engineering, or finishing my geog BA and then getting an MS in environmental engineering. I’ve seen some schools will accept earth science majors into environmental engineering, usually as long as they have taken science/math. The problem with that is the classes I’ve taken so far have been absolutely useless. The state university I’ve been going to has terrible geog and envs departments. The only class I’ve taken that’s applicable to engineering was Calculus AB in highschool, which I got AP credits for.
Is it smarter to take a semester of Calc 2, Physics, Chemistry, Linear Algebra, and some basic engineering course after I finish my geog BA, and then see if I’m accepted to get an MS in engineering? Or should I just start all over and get a BS in engineering? I currently have a 3.57 GPA if it matters.
Currently I go to school on campus, but when I further my education I want to get my degree online. That’s because I have to financially support myself in every way, though only paying 1/4 rent to my mom. My plan has been to move out in 1 year when I finish my BA. In order to move out I need to work more to afford the increase in rent, but it’s been extremely hard working 4 days a week, and having my job work around my ever changing school schedule. I also despite the hour commute, and having to wait on campus between classes, bring food, sit in hard metal chairs, etc. I hate everything about going to class on campus. I’ve taken multiple online classes when my school offers it, and it works with me so much better.
If I decide to take a semester of math/science and then get my MS, should I see if whichever online university I want to go to allows me to first enroll as a non-degree student? Or is it better to suck it up and stay on campus one more semester? (My school doesn’t offer these classes online). Would it be messy to graduate with my geog BA at my state uni, take those science/math classes online at a different university, and then apply to another different university for my MS?
Please help! Thanks 