This is probably the only board I trust with an answer to this, so here goes..
Should I get an Environmental Science degree or a Geology degree?
What are the different job prospects for each?
I was originally thinking Geology just because I think it is cool, but the problem is it isn't offered at the campus near me, while EnvSci is. Now I could totally go to the other campus but its about an hour drive, so I don't know that its even worth it, since I'm not sold on the major to begin with.
>>627205
I'd go with Geology, or Biology, or another more mainstream science. You'll have more flexibility one you're done and if you want to specialize in a more environmental field you'll have the option of doing that later on. If you want to spend a lot of time /out/ing and get a decent salary then it's easier to go with Biology and do field surveys, or get good at writing research proposals and go study the bears or something.
>>627205
I'm studying EnviSci right now and my school's program has a geoscience concentration. You should check out if the campus near you offers that.
>>627205
>going to college
>not living on campus
Bro you're going to miss out on the best part of college (at least in the USA).
Do you have an idea where you want to live? Go look at job openings and see if you can find what degree you plan on doing.
>>627205
what are you more interested in doing?
what kind of work do you want to do after?
both are fine degrees. You might be able to take an Enviro Sci degree that covers geology a bit. If it does, then you could even get your honours year through a straight geology department if your marks are good enough.
I'd recommend contacting someone at the college your wanting to apply for and get their advice
>>627267
>best part of college
I couldnt have handled that when I was in college. v happy I opted to live in a share house with m8s.
>>627276
I was on scholarship for football(american football). It paid for room and board on campus. Would have been a fool to live off campus. Loved the dorm life. Every floor had a big common area with couches and big TV. Whole floor, maybe 50 people or so, would get together for big events. We had madden tournaments. We watched Super Bowls and Wrestlemanias. There was always card games going on like spades or rook.
I did luck out and get a good roomate though. We ended up marrying sisters so now he is my bro in law.
There was also always something going on at campus also. Concerts, intramural sports, plays, or something fun and interesting to do.
Damn I miss college.
>>627228
Not OP but prospective Env Sci major. I keep hearing nowadays a masters is necessary for all STEM majors except for Comp Sci, so probably gonna get my bachelors in Env Sci then do graduate school for chemistry. Good idea or not?
>>627228
You're completely wrong about the bio degree. ENS is pretty much the only one with jobs outside of research(phd professors) and government jobs which usually prefer specialists in wildlife, aquatics, and ecologists. a general bio degree is only good for premed.
>>627291
Masters is a plus but really it's one of those 5yrsXP for entry level job markets. MS in chem would probably work for some industries like air quality/industrial) but you should really figure what job you want and get your MS appropriately.
Source: Environmental Specialist working in engineering with a BS in ecology. I do permits and field work.
>>627205
It is a BA, I'd say that both have similar job prospects. Both ought to get you using ArcGIS and a general understanding of the natural sciences. Geology might have better surveying.
It really depends on the programs you apply to and the courses you select.
>>627291
A master's is definitely a solid idea. If you want to get your masters in chemistry I think that good background would be chemical engineering or simply getting your undergrad in chemistry as well.
>>627279
just wondering? What college did you attend?
>>627205
Either way you will need a masters more than likely or else bitch work for around 40K a year for the rest of your life unless you get into management later down the line. I am a Geo undergrad and thought about Environmental but decided it was too general of a degree that gives you a little of everything but not enough of anything to be of any real use. That being said, I know several masters students at my school who were environmental or bio and are doing geo grad degrees. They have to take a few additional classes but it makes them more employable because they can get the professional geo license down the road. Hope that helps.
>>627205
geophysicist here. Geology and Geophysics tends to suffer similar fates. You have more opportunity to survive and have consistent work with environmental. With Geology your shot at interesting travel is higher though.
>>627291
get work experience early on if you can. do a masters if you can't find a job for a year after graduation. I have a masters and in some cases listing that qualification has been seen as a drawback.
>>627205
I'm a Geo/Geophys undergrad, from having spoken to enviros i'd say the chances of shit work, but work none the less are higher, to really go places you need a masters in any of the Earth Sciences.
Job security for either is pretty poor right now. Geology jobs are largely dependent on mining and resource prices are tumbling. Enviros are a dime a dozen, it was and still is a very popular degree so the job market is quite competitive. This is an Australian perspective though, may be different in your country.
I did a BSc Hons in geophysics 4 years ago and have spent the meantime bush bashing around the outback as well as overseas. Happy with the shitty job security, the lifestyle makes up for it. Pic is a work vehicle decorated with camel bones.
