I'm graduating with a biology degree and I hate it, what do I do now?

<p>I think that I am going to explore something related to computers maybe first, but isn't there a lot of outsourcing of jobs in that field?</p>

<p>I did have an actual engineering class in environmental engineering, which is the required class of civil engineering majors, and I do like it. Actually, my job which is related to this field does involve quite a bit of engineering. My bosses know quite a bit about concepts related to engineering, especially civil, like soils, water, and the such.</p>

<p>I do want to add some things however. I actually was one of the scholarship winners at the awards day last spring. My grades have significantly gone down, from being an A student to earning C's. I don't know what is wrong, but I just don't feel the passion I used to about biology and maybe school in general. As one poster said, it's the doldrums. Anyways, I'd like to hear more input.</p>

<p>you've said repeatedly you're interested in environmental engineering, so it sounds like you have a direction in mind. At this point I'd advise against continuing on in schooling for the time being. You already went thru college once with a major that wasn't right for you, you're running a big risk of doing the same thing again without exploring the new field in depth. The thing to do is discover what opportunities are available in the field to you today, and to get some real-world experience with either an internship or job. </p>

<p>The classic book on how to do this is "What Color is Your Parachute" and I suggest you get a copy and read it over Xmas break. Then get out there and start investigating. Work with the career center at your school to identify firms you can talk to, alums you can talk with, etc. Then get involved in the field which will let you find out if its really right for you, and will counter-balance your gpa if you decide to go for a MS in the field when you apply to schools.</p>

<p>However I have to admit there are several comments by the OP recently that trouble me; they don't sound like the writings of a confident young man eager to get out and find his way in the world.
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but I would like to know how it relates to biology from you parent's view so I can convince my mom that engineering could be a good fit for me.</p>

<p>I am a young adult who is need of advice from people older than the stupid, immature people I have to be around at my school.</p>

<p>It seems that many people, including upperclassmen, in my academic unit are immature for their age. I mean, this is supposed to be a college, and I feel like I am in high school.

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</p>

<p>I think that I am going to find a job in something related to environmental engineering, and possibly pursue a degree in that in the future. I do apologize for sounding unconfident, I was feeling a little blue at the time. It is something I do have to work on, and I thank everyone on here for helping me. Thank you again.</p>

<p>bioengineer?? ............</p>

<p>I have got to ask what was the poster thinking and doing while he completed his Biology major requirements? It's just hard for me to appreciate spending several semesters (or quarters) in a major that he/she loathed. Sure, freshmen and sophomores decided they dislike their initial choices and then move on. But Spending all those junior and senior hours unhappily?</p>

<p>Well, it's water under the bridge since he has the degree now. Take the advice from others and go to your career counseling office at your alma mater. I suspect you spent little time there up to now.</p>

<p>well people have to learn for themselves that nothing is going to make them "happy and fullfilled", unless they allow themselves to be. From reading the other thread from the OP- I suspect that there is a long way to go on that count.
Until the OP finds out where this chip on his shoulder came from- I don't expect changing majors to be as satisfying as he hoped.</p>

<p>LW:</p>

<p>I have not read the entire thread or other posts by OP, so I may be missing subtleties</p>

<p>My D entered uni in a science major which sets out a heavy science pre-req curriculum for the first few years (Ochem etc.) D survived it, but did not find it fun, by the end of year two, she was no longer excited about that major. D added a second major in a breadth req humanities subject she had really found fascinating, but did decide to finish the sceince degree, too, she felt she had put too much work into it to abandon it and also hoped that after sloggin through the lower division stuff it would get more fun. It is tough to consider throwing away all that hard work when classes are not exciting! And it takes a while to determine if it is that one class, a bad term, or a permanent feelign about the major, I can understand how the OP kept working at it and probably, by the time he realised he doesn't like bio, it is too late to switch without adding way more time to his undergrad experience.</p>

<p>It may be far more practical to pursue other subjects via graduate work.</p>

<p>In various past threads on CC, there were many posts by parents about how many were working in fields totally unrelated to their bachelor's degree. It's not as big of a problem as you think, as others have pointed out. And I concur with NOT getting a second BS. Take some time and figure out where your passions are and then plot your path...</p>

<p>I think the OP should think about perhaps they are just burned out with school-Many if not all students will benefit from taking a year off after high school before college, and I suspect an even higher percentage will benefit by doing something else after obtaining their BA besides immediate entrance into graduate school/back into undergrad for a 2nd BA.
My daughter LOVES biology- is attending a school where organic chemistry is required for even a basic bio degree- but is going to be taking a year off at least to work- to get a better idea of what she wants to pursue in grad school.
No matter what you study in school- it is not like real life :)
( unless you want to go down the road of those who aim to stay as a student for the next 20 years- deferring their loans until they don't dare set foot off campus)</p>

<p>Collegegrad, would you be interested in forensics work? Real CSI stuff, with better lighting. ;) Check the job openings with your local sheriff's department or police department. There are entry level jobs for grads with your background. For instance, </p>

<p>Criminalistic Lab Aide - Toxicology screens, ballistics identification, receiving and transporting evidence, lab instrument maintenance, data entry, maintaining and ordering supplies.</p>

<p>Fingerprint Technician - Fingerprint collection and analysis, photographic techniques, written documentation.</p>

<p>Fingerprint Examiner - Comparing fingerprints, physical and chemical processing of hard to detect fingerprints, detailed examinations of fingerprints using electronic imaging, database searches, written reports.</p>

<p>Forensic Toxicologist - Analyzing biological specimens for toxic agents, detailed documentation. Tons of lab work here, and a college degree with biochem lab experience is usually required. Entry-level toxicologists work under close supervision and receive on-the-job training.</p>

<p>"I have not read the entire thread or other posts by OP, so I may be missing subtleties"</p>

<p>I think emerald kitty meant the thread on not getting into the honor society?</p>

<p>Biology, chem, physics are pure sciences... Not many jobs for those majors...</p>

<p>However real-world applications of these subjects are in demand...</p>

<p>I am applying to schools with biological engineering/chemical engineering majors.</p>

<p>The ideal situation would be for me to get accepted into a 7 year medical program. However, my stats of 720 math, 630 verbal, 730 writing, and top6% ranking do not warrant acception into the programs. (My verbal needs to be higher). They are tooooo selective.</p>

<p>Anyways, if im not accepted to these programs, I will most likely pursue a biomedical/biological or chemical engineering degree. I will then attempt to get my MD after an undergrad degree in a field where I can actually get a decent job. Im hoping to then get an MBA after my MD while I am employed, because I am interested in business as well. An MD and an MBA is a powerful duo. </p>

<p>The thing is that life throws changes at your face and you must adapt to these changes. I may not get an MD or MBA, or I may get both. Hard to look 4-10 years into the future. </p>

<p>Sorry to go off on a a tangent, but again to emphasize my initial point. engineering provides a powerful outlet to different types of innovative jobs. Biological Engineering, Biomedical engineering, and biotechnology are all great fields that you should def look into.</p>