Best focus for environmental science major?

[kaybee]

I'm majoring in environmental science and I have to choose a focus. I can choose from environmental biology, geology, planning, technology, or chemistry. I wanted to do biology originally, but it has twice as many required courses as the others. Which option would be best for a wider range of job options after I graduate? Would any of them open up options of jobs with higher pay?

I was also thinking of minoring in journalism, but my university has a science writing minor. Which one would be best if I want to publish articles for magazines/newspapers/online? Or would a minor not even be necessary? I've read on some other college forums that it's not really necessary to minor in journalism if you want to write about a specific topic; you just have to be knowledgeable on your major enough to write about it.

 

Thank you!

Edited June 17, 2015 by kaybee

[Harold Squared]

If an in depth grasp of the subject is your goal, more courses might not be a disadvantage. If money is a factor, however, I think you should choose the option which most closely matches your own interests. If you have an intense curiosity about anything it is easier to master. Have you consulted a trusted faculty member at your school yet? If someone who knows both the program at your school and you personally, they might very well have more insight than any of us here.

 

All that said, I wish you every success.

[nudibranche]

Hi kaybee, I did my undergraduate degree in environmental science, but in the UK where things work slightly differently in terms of choosing minors and majors - we just egt to choose most our module starting from 2nd year, so we also specialise on one thing. I'd like to say just chose what you are most intrested in - in my case it was marine ecology, and I have never regretted that choice, and did a master's in that discipline afterwards. Finding a job will be tough either way, so it better be for something that's worth it to you if that makes sense!

That being said, it would be a lie to say they pay the same. I would say out of your selection, geology is definitely one of the best paid ones, especially if you go on to work in mining (of rare meteals, petrol, etc). But you can earn money and be unhappy with what you do, so choose wisely. Also, any type of engineering is also guaranteed to at least get you a job and most likely a well paid one. But as I said, I think this is taking the problem from the wrong angle. Choose what will make you happy - if it is stability and a well paid job, so be it. But i you are passionate about any of these fields, you will be able to make it there either way.

Good luck for everything.

[iNow]

Environmental planning and technology likely have the best job and pay potential given how readily they'd fit into corporate roles, though I agree whole-heartedly with others that you'll be better served doing what you enjoy and are good at.

[nudibranche]

environmental planning - sorry just wanted to check what exactly you mean by that: more in terms of architectural planning, or rsik assessments, or managing nature reserves etc? (just because in my head it doesn't fit with environmental technology so wanted to be sure I got what you meant )