<p>I am at a school that does not offer environmental science as a major, so I am trying to get as close as possible experience to that. For a career, I think I want to work on something involving environmental restoration, impact assessments, remediation, hydrology, or environmental planning. I am also considering something like environmental health as well. </p>
<p>My choice is to either double major in Geography and Conservation Biology or just major in geology. (I can't combine geology and cons. biology due to time - im a sophomore)</p>
<p>If I major in geography, it would be with a concentration in physical geography. I would also be able to does some coursework with GIS. The conservation biology program would allow me to take classes in limnology, ecology, etc. Chemistry is required, although physics and math are not ( I have taken Calc I thus far)</p>
<p>The geology program requires physics, chemistry, and math (which the geography program does not) and then of course it involves extensive geology work. </p>
<p>Which major would set me up better for what I am looking to do career-wise? Would both options be adequate? Is it possible that I am overthinking this, and that both would be fine preparation?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I think you would be ahead of the game to study Geology. It relates much more directly to what you are interested in. Are you concerned about physics and math? Geology is much more difficult than people realize.</p>
<p>Check out these sites: [What</a> Can I Do with a Major in Geology](<a href=“http://www.uwec.edu/CAREER/Students/Major/geology.htm]What”>http://www.uwec.edu/CAREER/Students/Major/geology.htm)
and [What</a> Can I Do with a Major in Geography](<a href=“http://www.uwec.edu/CAREER/Students/Major/geography.htm]What”>http://www.uwec.edu/CAREER/Students/Major/geography.htm)</p>
<p>Geology looks to be a better match for environmental restoration work.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I think geology provides the more technical training that an environmental career might require. I often find myself interested in the built environment as well, and possibly pursuing a career in planning or landscape architecture and I think that is why I am drawn to study geography as well. But I suppose if I study geology now, that would open doors in the more scientific fields while still allowing me to pursue something like urban/environmental planning if I chose to do so. </p>
<p>Also, whenever I am reading about the geography major (in general, not just at my school) I always see possible careers listed in environmental management, monitoring, regulation, resource management, geomorphology, consulting, forestry, etc. Is geography really a gateway to careers such as those? It’s just that I keep reading that it is, but when I look at job postings and majors of current employees in those sectors, I see more geology/engineering. I guess this makes sense, but can you crack these fields with a geography degree, or is that just wishful thinking?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Are you willing to transfer? Cornell has a program that fits your interests pretty well: [SNES</a> Home](<a href=“Environment & Sustainability | CALS”>http://snes.eas.cornell.edu/)</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, but I don’t want to transfer. I love the school that I am at. I wish we had a program that would give me broad training in environmental science, but I’m kindof having to combine 2 degree programs to get courses that I want.</p>
<p>You could meet your career goals with a degree in any of the three fields - I’ve seen it done. But some jobs are specifically looking for a specialist in a particular field. And there is always Grad. School to further focus on an area. Have you mentioned you career goals to your instructors?</p>
<p>Geology coursework will take you in a different direction, than, say, Conservation Biology, but there is overlap at the Undergaduate level. Look at possible volunteer work/internships to get ideas. </p>
<p>I’ll suggest that you work on your writing and GIS skills in addition to coursework. And I will aldo suggest that you take some Chemistry and Physics in addition to Calc. Sounds like you’re off to a good start!</p>