Microbiology or environmental science major?

College Majors Science Majors
1

I’m currently a freshman in college and I’m an environmental science major. After doing some research on job prospects they don’t look too hot. A lot of people consider environmental science a “soft science,” is that true? I’m really interested in the environment and sustainability, but I’m also interested in molecular biology and genetics. Would microbiology be a better idea for a bachelors degree, job prospect/safety wise? I’m not asking people to pick my major for me, I just want some different perspectives on the career aspects of each of these majors. Thanks a bunch.

2

Using Indeed.com, I found more job listings for Environmental Science jobs than for Microbiology. It will depend upon what your career goals are and if you plan to continue your education with a Masters.

I am a Microbiology major and work as a CLS (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) in a Research Hospital. Several friends that were also Microbiology majors have gone on to Medical School, PT school, OT school, Vet school, teaching or CLS.

3

I was planning on getting either a masters or a PhD. I did consider vet school at one point but find that too stressful of a job for me. Would it maybe be a good idea to major in environmental science and then minor in microbiology? That way I could still apply to graduate programs in either sector if I wished?

4

It really depends upon what you career goals are for Environmental Science and Microbiology. The majority of jobs in the Environmental Field are in policy, so a minor in Political Science pairs well with an Environmental Science Degree. If you are more interested in Genetics/Molecular Biology, I would lean towards a Microbiology degree and with an emphasis in Genetics or Molecular Bio.

There are a lot of options so you can still explore.

5

Honestly, either of those would be useless without a PhD or some form of grad school. If you only have a BS in microbiology you will be a low level lab technician for your whole life making <$50k and if you only have a BS in earth Sci then you will be a HS teacher. Pick your poison or go to grad school for whichever you think is more interesting.