<p>Hey community I am a senior in high school and I'm hoping to attend either Notre Dame, Northwestern, or Duke. If not, Ohio State is my backup.</p>
<p>I love geosciences and I'm pretty sure I would like to major in them. Geography is my favorite, but there are not many job opportunites in that area, so I may just minor in it. </p>
<p>Would Earth/Planetary Science and Geology curriculums overlap? I like geology, but I also like meteorology and atmospheric science. Or is one major better in terms of receiving a job out of college, or out of grad school?</p>
<p>Finally, would incorporating engineering into this area be a good idea? For example, petroleum engineering or enivironmental? </p>
<p>Just looking for some info on majors and job opportunities information. I would say geography, meteorology, and geophysics are my favorite subjects. Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump… Probably shouldn’t have posted so late</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>I majored in earth/ocean sciences at Duke, so I’m very familiar with the curriculum there. </p>
<p>Honestly, it depends on which college you choose. Duke’s program is highly interdisciplinary and flexible, so you have people studying solid earth geology, atmospheric studies and physical oceanography, sedimentology and paleobio, environmental science and conservation, environmental policy, etc. all in the same overarching department. The undergraduate program is administered by the Nicholas School, which is an entirely independent branch of the university like the law or medical school, but the undergraduate degrees are offered through Trinity (arts & sciences). I’ve written about Nicholas at Duke before:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/11141140-post5.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/11141140-post5.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9894419-post38.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9894419-post38.html</a></p>
<p>Other colleges have separate departments for everything. Geology, astronomy, environmental science, and atmospheric studies/meteorology could be independent departments with different requirements and expectations. This is especially the case with publics like my current university (UCLA), U Washington, Wisconsin, etc.</p>
<p>For job prospects, it often depends more on your skills and field/lab experience than your focus or coursework. I’ve gotten several cool gigs on the side thanks to knowing GIS. Those willing to work for oil companies have good job opportunities with very good salaries. (Heck, I’ve even known a few archaeologists who’ve gone to work for such companies.)</p>
<p>That’s awesome info thanks! </p>
<p>And I was thinking of doing GIS. Is that a good route, maybe as a minor? Is it like computer science mixed with geography?</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>I believe recent reports indicate petroleum engineers are highest paid. Another area to consider with an Earth Science/geology degree besides petroleum is mining. Leads to cool field trips and summer field camps!!</p>
<p>But you need to like to camp outdoors and not shower for extended periods at many of the field camps.</p>
<p>Haha I’m not sure I could handle mining but it does seem like a cool job. Thanks!</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>Do not get mislead by the glamours of such a job. The truth is, the majority of those jobs where you go hiking in beautiful places or cool field trips are very limited. That is not what the field is actually like. Even if those jobs were plentiful, they would be very competitive, as everybody would love a job like that. But PetE is very lucrative right now. However, they are prone to the boom/bust cycle.</p>
<p>GIS is a very useful tool to learn. Incorporate as much math and programming as possible into your Geos studies.</p>