Marine Science major. Careers? Long one, be prepared.

College Majors
1

<p>Hello! I've been in and out of college for year now, unable to decide on a major. Every time that I find something that may interest me enough to pursue, I find a reason why it is a bad idea. </p>

<p>I orignally started out as an environmental science major. I love science, but find math extremely difficult; to the point in which if I fail College Algebra again, I will no longer be able to take the class and poceed with the science classes that it is a pre-requisite for. Unfortuneatly, with enough research, I decided that there isn't anything in the field that I would truely enjoy and make money doing. I hate to be "moneymoneymoney", but I make quite a bit as a waitress and bartender, much more than a B.S. in environmental science would get me, sadly enough. I refuse to go to school for 4 years only to come out earning less than I began with. Every part of me screams how backward that would be.</p>

<p>After a few more months of indecision, I am thinking of Marine Science. I live on the coast in Florida and my school offers this degree as a B.S. I grew up on the water, love science, and am really interested in the ocean and marine life. Only problem is, I don't know what I would do with this degree besides education (please don't make me teach!!) that would actually earn me any money either. I would love to do research, but I'm grounded with a large 4 legged family (I live on a farm and wouldn't have that any other way), and most marine research is conducted over a large period of time out at sea. Daily or weekend boat trips I can do, but months away from land will not agree with me.</p>

<p>I know, I'm being picky, but I was hoping that someone could tell me that yes, I can have it all (C'mon, someone whisper soft lies in my ear).</p>

<p>I have a very difficult time with traditional school. I need the science degree because the classes are so hands on and that is honestly the ONLY way that I will learn. I'm not un-intelligent, I just require more than the average person to keep my interest. </p>

<p>I don't know if I could handle graduate school either. I've always been a working girl and school has always been the subject of my loathing. I get discouraged knowing how much I have ahead of me academically with just a B.S. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not lazy, I just struggle so much with academic work and find almost any other challenge that I've met in life easy. Just not school and it kills me. =(</p>

<p>I'm just terrified now because I've spoken with quite a few of the alumni from my university with B.S.'s in science (biology, chemistry, biochemistry) and they are all either in education, which they dislike, or making $9/hour doing research in the swamp. I like the swamp, but I need to make the basic cost of living if you're getting my rear in there everyday and $9/hour just doesn't cut it!</p>

<p>So, please tell me there is hope...Please tell me there are oppertunities with a bachlor's. I could teach, I probably could, but the school systems pay quite poorly here and with the cost everything on the unending rise, I don't know how the poor teachers do it!</p>

2

<p>The fact is that there just aren't that many jobs for a plain degree like marine science. There are jobs with the marine fisheries etc., but to get any really decent, long-term job with most science degrees you need a masters (exceptions are engineering etc., or obviously if you major in a science and choose another career). This is particularly true in a field like marine science where there just isn't much work in the private sector--the field is very research oriented.</p>

3

<p>I won't be going with marine science after all. I spent a few hours really researching it and everyone has been quite correct; hard to find a job, even with a masters and doctorate. The pay isn't much either.</p>

<p>I'll figure something out, thanks for your reply!</p>

4

<p>If you really love marine science, don't give it up. I'd rather do something that I would enjoy doing even with a low income than a job with a high income where I hated every minute I was working. & if you want to do good in science, you need to have more confidence in math. Don't worry, just try a bit harder, get a tutor if you need one, and soon it should begin to process. If you want a career with anything science related, being good in math is a must. I use to suck at math. When I began high school I told myself that I just HAVE to try harder in it. Surprisingly, everything started to flow. So don't push yourself down and suggest that 'you suck at math or whatever', this may sound a bit cheesy but, it's true: "If you believe you can do it, you really can." lol</p>