<p>Ok I've been debating this for a while. I have two loves, science and money. So I've been thinking I should take either science or business as a major in college. My passion is science but I'm great at thinking business also. I want to mostly be a microbiologist when I grow up but after a little research I saw that they only make $30,000 a year which I can't live with. My dream since I first moved to America was to become a scientist and merge business into it eventually creating my own company like Pfizer or something, just something profitable but I can't see that happening with $30k a year. I do great in school and am good with almost all subjects, science and math. I will most likely attend U of M when I graduate but I am so lost right now. I had it all planned out then I start to question myself. :(</p>
<p>Are you planning on going to graduate school? A professional microbiologist would surely make more than 30K a year after post-doc.</p>
<p>Doc as in doctrine? I want to get a phd but I don’t want to be 30 when I start making money. I want to start with masters then work and follow up getting my phd.</p>
<p>As in post-doctoral appointment. Usually a year or two in duration where you do research, before looking for something more permanent. </p>
<p>People who earn Ph.Ds have a passion for their research, it’s not about money. That said, there are doctoral programs (higher-regarded programs) in the hard sciences that offer stipends near $30K a year. Most decent programs will give you something to live off of. Post-docs would earn something similar, possible a little more. But like I said, if your goal in life is to make money, a research career may not be the best path. It takes patience, dedication, and frugal living for several years, if not more.</p>