I’m a Communications/Public Relations Major and I recently finished taking a Geology class to fill general education requirement. I went in expecting the worst because I’ve always hated science and found it extremely boring. But after taking this class I developed an interest in Geology. What I learned actually amazed me and I was curious to learn more. I am actually considering switch major even though I do have an interest in communications/PR. I’m so hesitant on switching majors because I’m terrible at math and Geo majors at my university are required to take Caculus 1 and 2 and also science never came easy to be. I got a B in my geology class but it took a lot of effort and constantly going to office hours. Science and math do not come easy to me at all, it takes longer for me to catch on than everyone else. But my class as a Communications major come easy to me, I’m good at everything but science and math. The field of geology seems so interesting and exciting to me. But I wonder if I should just stick with what I’m good at or try to pursue a career in geology? My family believes I’m not capable and I should stick with what I know and I’m good at. They also said I can’t do anything with a degree in Geology.
Have you talked to your advisor about this? Would it make sense to combine your major with a minor in Geology? (if that is a possibility) Try posting your question in the science majors forum, perhaps you will get some advice/suggestions there.
No one is inherently bad at math or science (or anything for that matter), some people just need to work a little harder. It really depends on the program, but physical geology at times can be more math heavy, and some aspects can go deeper into physics (which is also mathy). But if you know it may be challenging going in and are willing to work hard, I wouldn’t let the math deter you. And at the end of the day you know yourself best. My mom always thought I would be an English major…as if! 
You can certainly combine both areas of study as a double major or a major and a minor if your school offers minors. You can do communications work without a major. You could talk to the undergrad advisors in geology and communications to see about your options.
You could do a double major or a minor in one or the other and maybe work in PR in the geology field. Somebody has to research and write the press releases and articles and speak to the press, etc.
@techmom99 and @CheddarcheeseMN I’ve thought about double majoring, does it add more time in college? And would it be more stressful? I’m considering majoring in geology and minoring in communications but I thought if I majored in geology then I wouldn’t be able to get a career in the communications field.
Whether it adds more time depends on the particular program, including how many gen eds you need. Do you have AP credits, etc. that you can use? If you want to work in the communications field, with a minor, try doing your internships in that area.
definitely agree with your professor! if you’re curious about it, explore more. if you’re passionate about something and dedicate hours to it, you can definitely succeed. is there any way you could do a minor in geology? i would talk to your professor about this. you also could end up taking maybe just geology classes, and then in the future working at some sort of firm or company that focuses on geology, but your role is in PR so it combines both? what university are you at?
Have you considered minoring in geology? Then you wouldn’t need the calculus and physics. Whether you major or minor in geology, it actually can help your writing/PR career to study a specific subject, because then you would focus on writing related to that subject.
Science journalism is a niche of its own. You can find examples of science writing about geology at sciencedaily:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/geology/
The Association of Earth Science Editors promotes writing about earth sciences including geology:
http://www.aese.org/shell.html?page=what_is_aese&menu=l
If you are interested in science documentaries at all, you could also get involved in script writing and producing films about geology. For example, Montana State University has a fascinating master’s degree in Science & Natural History Filmmaking:
http://sfp.montana.edu/sciencenaturefilm/
You could also work in public relations for the oil and gas industry, or for environmental nonprofits concerned about the land, or for government agencies that track volcanic activity, etc. You could aim to get internships at these places during the summers while you are in college. For examples, see:
https://bcmpublicrelations.com/sectors/oilgas/
https://www.americangeosciences.org/organization-type/non-profit
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about.html
Geology majors often do field work in exotic places, traveling to look at mountain ranges and volcanoes. If that appeals to you, I wouldn’t let a fear of the math and physics stop you. However, there is something to be said for focusing on your strengths, so if you are really strong at writing, then I would certainly try to combine your passion for geology with your skills in writing. It may even be possible to create your own major combining these two subjects – some universities allow you to create a major. It is great that you have finally found a topic that piques your curiosity.
I’m a Communications/Public Relations major and I recently finished talking a basic Geology course to fill a general education requirement. I went in expecting the worse because I always hated science in high school and found it boring. But I actually found Geology very interesting and it peaked my curiosity. I actually wanted to learn more about it. I would go to my professors office hours just to ask more about geology. I am especially interested in the different types of rocks and minerals and how they’re formed. Geology seems very interesting and all of the geologists in the department at my university always have cool stories to tell about where they’ve traveled and done throughout their careers. All of the geology majors seem like cool laid back interesting people who stick together and love they’re major. It just seems like a cool major. I’ve never taken a class that actually peaked my curiosity.
I’ve thought about changing my major but I’ve been hesitant because I’m terrible at math and anything math or science related is difficult for me. At my university geology majors have to take 2 caculus classes and physics, and a bunch of other geology related classes. I got a B in the geology class but it took a lot of studying, tutoring, and going to office hours constantly. I’m good at everything but science and math. I’ve always been sure about being a Communications/Public Relations major but after taking Geology I’m not sure, it seems more interesting. My family and friends say I shouldn’t do it because I’m not good at science and math and I should stick with what I’m good at which is Communications. Would it be a bad idea to switch majors? Should I stick with what I know and what I’m good at? My geology professor said that just because I’m not good at something doesn’t mean I shouldn’t pursue it, that through hard work I can become good at it, is that true? Also is there a way to combine my current major and geology?
I’m a Communications/Public Relations major and I recently finished talking a basic Geology course to fill a general education requirement. I went in expecting the worse because I always hated science in high school and found it boring. But I actually found Geology very interesting and it peaked my curiosity. I actually wanted to learn more about it. I would go to my professors office hours just to ask more about geology. I am especially interested in the different types of rocks and minerals and how they’re formed. Geology seems very interesting and all of the geologists in the department at my university always have cool stories to tell about where they’ve traveled and done throughout their careers. All of the geology majors seem like cool laid back interesting people who stick together and love they’re major. It just seems like a cool major. I’ve never taken a class that actually peaked my curiosity.
I’ve thought about changing my major but I’ve been hesitant because I’m terrible at math and anything math or science related is difficult for me. At my university geology majors have to take 2 caculus classes and physics, and a bunch of other geology related classes. I got a B in the geology class but it took a lot of studying, tutoring, and going to office hours constantly. I’m good at everything but science and math. I’ve always been sure about being a Communications/Public Relations major but after taking Geology I’m not sure, it seems more interesting. My family and friends say I shouldn’t do it because I’m not good at science and math and I should stick with what I’m good at which is Communications. Would it be a bad idea to switch majors? Should I stick with what I know and what I’m good at? My geology professor said that just because I’m not good at something doesn’t mean I shouldn’t pursue it, that through hard work I can become good at it, is that true? Also is there a way to combine my current major and geology?