[Science Major selection problem] What Science major would match me according to my description?

College Majors Science Majors
1

A job/career I would really love to do is mainly,
Being responsible for the restoration and the preservation of the planet. Like cleaning state waters or pollution/litter from the environment.
Wildlife preservation and environmental preservation and restoration of the Earth. I really value animal life as well as human, but the things I do, would be for improvement of wildlife and not mainly for humans…

These were the ones I have looked into and are on my Major /Minor List haha:
Environmental Science
Ecology
Environmental Engineering
Biology
Wildlife Biology

The reason why I am having a hard time selecting is because I would like to major Environmental Engineering or Environmental Science or Wildlife Biology… I have also looked into Wildlife Fish and Wildlands Science and Management, which is something I would like, but its not in the colleges near me.

I don’t know anymore I’m completely lost that I feel like not going back to school :frowning: . I have no idea what career would fit my ideal job.
Please help and put in your opinion. I need a second opinion.

2

It pretty much depends on how much you like math/physics. Environmental engineering will be a lot of both, while environmental science, ecology, and wildlife biology will not have as much. Regular biology won’t focus on the environment like the other majors will. I’m not sure about the differences between environmental science, ecology, and wildlife biology.

3

You are getting too caught up in the name. Aside from the useful notes that @Studious99 offered, for an undergraduate major with broad interests, look at what classes you have to take for the major, and pick the major that has the most classes that look interesting to you. Seriously.

Put your energy into finding internships and summer jobs at places that do things you are interested in doing. Your internships and summer jobs will matter more when you graduate and are looking for a job than the exact name of your major. Promise.

4

Perhaps consider a major in the Geosciences such as geology, which has many subdivisions including hydrology and environmental geology. It can fit well with Environmental Studies.

5

I would look at Geology/GIS. Pretty much everything in this area is moving towards GIS.

6

If I were you I would try to identify people doing the kinds of jobs you are drawn to, and ask for informational interviews. These people would probably know best which majors would be most helpful. You could also talk to different college professors. But really, work in the environment addresses different angles…as the problems are multifaceted and use people with different expertise. So don’t worry unduly which specific science degree is most useful. Study what you’re best at, and are drawn to do! I knew someone who really loves birds and wildlife, but ended up studying forestry (and eventually getting a PhD in forest ecology) because he realized that the habitat for the birds was paramount. I know another person who studied environmental education and film studies, and now makes environmental documentaries. Another person studies satellite imagery to understand patterns of climate change and its effect on the environment and wildlife migration. My brother-in-law is a chemist with the EPA.

Do you think you will end up in graduate school? Many serious environmentalists have Ph.Ds, though I’m sure there are also hands-on jobs to be had with an undergraduate or masters. If you are planning to continue in school, I think that a “basic” science degree such as a biology degree would be a solid base …then you could continue in graduate school with a specialization in ecology, wildlife, or whatever. An understanding of chemistry is also very applicable to the cleanup of the planet! There’s really no one way.

I think some colleges with strong biology programs allow for different tracks where you can choose a biology major with a medical or environmental emphasis. Maybe you could double major or have a related minor. As noted above, internships will be important for exploring different careers and networking.

@TaroZz are you already in college?

7

@inthegarden Thank you so much!
Yes, I started college in 2016 but took a 1.5 year break.

8

I wanted to spend some time looking for what I wanted to do. Then I finalized to do something with the environment because I care for the health of animals, nature, and people.

I am good at art, persuasion, and designing. So I looked into Landscape Architecture. But I don’t know if people really needed Architecture. And I don’t know if it would benefit me financially and open up environmental/nature opportunities for me.

9

@TaroZz, you CAN, very much, make a difference in the world using your skills of art, persuasion and design combined with your concern for animals and nature! In fact, you have hit upon one of my favorite topics. I’m an amateur dabbler, but I also thought about using my artistic inclinations to become a landscape designer when I was young but I was afraid that would just mean designing wealthy people’s yards and I wanted to something more idealistic…

Now I regret not doing it because a whole new fascinating field of sustainable, ecologically-centered design/architecture/gardening has arisen. It focuses on water conservation, design that is least disruptive to the ecosystem, the use of native plants and organic practices to create habitats of native birds, beneficial insects etc.( (replacing the sterile landscapes of exotic plants that don’t create habitats, or at least incorporating some nativie species into traditional plantings.) This kind of design is being implemented around public buildings in cities and towns, in parks, along highways, etc. Progressive ecological designs and practices in wealthy people’s yards can (hopefully) also have a trickle-down effect in encouraging the availability and popularity of native plants around everyone’s home. The use of green roofs in cities is another exciting development.

To start, read anything by Doug Tallamy, including his book Bringing Nature Home and The Living Landscape (along with the photographer Rick Darke.) Dr. Tallamy is professor in the department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware.

Just to begin getting ideas, Google such terms as sustainable landscape architecture/design, use of native plants in landscape design, Urban native gardens, green roofs, etc. Google to find universities that offer sustainable design! Google “Wood Thrush Nurseries” owned by Ian Caton…a landscape designer formerly of the Philadelphia area who now owns a native plant nursery in Virginia. Google the High Line in NYC, an amazing new urban park created on an elevated former freight train track over Manhattan that is now a walkway surrounded by native plants. Google gorgeous “Lurie Garden,” a native prairie garden oasis in downtown Chicago. If these things excite you, you might find your path.

I don’t know off-hand which universities specialize in sustainable/ecological landscape design but I imagine if you search enough on the internet you can find this information! I think most are graduate programs, or bachelors’ that lead to graduate programs. I think you need a combination of coursework in art/design, botany and ecology, and you could likely (but check requirements for any given program!!!) get into a program with an undergraduate degree in any of these (with coursework in all three areas, depending on your emphasis.) If you are thinking about more of an emphasis on the architecture or engineering aspect, you would need a solid math background as well. Good luck to you! Let us know what you think and how it goes! There may be other students who can benefit from this as well.

10

@inthegarden Thank you so much for your advice! It’s comforting to know that it’s possible. I will look into Landscape architect. :slight_smile:

11

@TaroZz, Good luck to you! I glanced at several university websites in landscape design and many have a five-year undergrad/professional program. It seems that most (or maybe all these days) have a pretty good focus on sustainability, and some with a component in ecological restoration of degraded environments. You’ll have to do some digging to find those with the strongest ecological emphasis if that’s what you decide to pursue. I hope you live in a state with a good, affordable option nearby!

I found an interesting article you might like. I’m bad at posting links but you’ll find it if you google "The Dirt: Uniting the Built and Natural Environments (a newsletter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.) There’s an article in it called Lovefest: Landscape Architects and Restoration Ecologists.