Career change....

TedH71 · #1 06/29/14, 12:33 AM

Will be going back to university. Seriously considering taking biology classes since I like scientific research or anything to do with critters. Was thinking maybe becoming a fisheries biologist or wildlife biologist. Any chance this would eventually be a good paying job? Any ideas what a biology degree can enable a person to do for a career?

fordy · #2 06/29/14, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH71

Will be going back to university. Seriously considering taking biology classes since I like scientific research or anything to do with critters. Was thinking maybe becoming a fisheries biologist or wildlife biologist. Any chance this would eventually be a good paying job? Any ideas what a biology degree can enable a person to do for a career?

................I'm assuming you love science and you can master the math up through Calculus 3 , I'd look very seriously at a career in Hydrology , with a specialization in Environmental water management for eco systems ! Basic biology is a part of the above , but not the main part . Water engineering , the geology and science of subsurface water reservoirs , their quality , maintenance , depletion and enhancement are very much in demand and will become only more so as time pushes everyone into the world of diminishing water supplies . , fordy

notwyse · #3 06/29/14, 06:40 AM

And biology is a field difficult to find a job in. Think about your local community.... How many work in your own community? I have two very good friends who were biologists....they both changed careers simply for lack of consistent work.

fordy · #4 06/29/14, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH71

Will be going back to university. Seriously considering taking biology classes since I like scientific research or anything to do with critters. Was thinking maybe becoming a fisheries biologist or wildlife biologist. Any chance this would eventually be a good paying job? Any ideas what a biology degree can enable a person to do for a career?

...............If you recall Jena , she maj. in Biology and Geology , graduated with a GPA around 3.9x

and went to work on a drilling rig as a Mud engineer ! I doubt she is using much of her Bil degree . , fordy

BadFordRanger · #5 06/29/14, 08:38 AM

I'm not sure Ted, but it looks like raising fish yourself could be a good job.
I wish you already finished and I could get you to take a trip to Danville.
Dan River Mills folded and they have torn down nearly all of the building but they have, as Elle May called them on the Beverly Hillbillies, concrete ponds but they are much larger than her swimming pool was, LOL.
One is round and it is about a hundred yards wide and probably 18' to 20' deep, which would make a very nice starting pond.
And the other one, Good Lord. I was down there looking at some crushed brick and concrete to use for back filling a brick and concrete porch I am bidding on and we walked down to see it.
I have lived here, on and off for dang near 60 years now and while I could see this concrete lake from West Main Street, I never knew how large it really was until Friday.
It is a rectangle and I walked off the narrow end and it was 140 paces and I am good at walking off a yard per step.
That's 420' wide and that thing is at least 4 to 5 times as long.
I haven't any idea on what it takes to raise fish in a man made structure but I'd love to see those used for it instead of them being filled in.
What a waste.
Good luck with your schooling whatever you choose to do.

Godspeed

Ranger

PS. I just did the math and the large lake is somewhere close to 20 acres.
Something does need to be done with them instead of fill them in.

V-NH · #6 06/29/14, 08:39 AM

A major in wildlife biology or something similar is a great platform to go on for a masters in education and become a teacher. I'm not sure that the prospects are great otherwise. If you'd like to be a conservation officer or something you're actually better off going the criminal justice route as far as I understand it.

Science includes a lot of math, as others have said. Make sure you're up for it. It will be challenging, but doable.

I have a BA in poli sci and an MA in education. If I could go back in time and start all over I would get a BS in agriculture.

Vosey · #7 06/29/14, 08:49 AM

Out here in the PNW, there are lots of biologists working for BLM and the forest service, ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife). Lots of conservation movements that employee people as well. There are many other degrees that spin off of biology, soil conservation and management is one that come to mind. Fish hatcheries still exist out here as well.

emdeengee · #8 06/29/14, 01:02 PM

I completely agree with Fordy. Go for water - every thing from Hydrology to water quality technology will not only be applicable today but in the future and not just at home but anywhere in the world. But you have to be willing to move.

This is what my husband went back to school for and you name it he is doing it and there is no one on the planet who is happier in his work. Who wouldn't love 6 months of the year where you office is the wilderness. Mining, forestry, oil, ice and snow sciences, permafrost, wildlife, fisheries, construction, road building, soil analysis, agriculture and agronomy. You can't even build a bridge or new road without water being involved.

You will have to study a lot of biology but when it is coupled with water it will open doors for more things than you will even think of.

fishhead · #9 06/29/14, 02:56 PM

I have a degree in fisheries biology specifically aquaculture. Jobs in fisheries are tough to find because there are so many graduates and funding has been cut. This spring there was a job posting for someone to map out exotic specie plant stands in the area lakes. It was temporary and paid $12/hour. There were 70 applications for that job. That's a bad sign.

Jobs in hydrology were much more numerous in my job searches but be prepared to move across the country if necessary. That field is going to see some really good job growth and if you can I would stay for a graduate degree.

Raising fish can be a good career but look before you leap and be sure to take some business classes instead of focusing too narrowly on fish culture.

Miss Kay · #10 06/29/14, 08:42 PM

Go to USAJOBS.gov and do a search on biology. It will give you an idea of the type of jobs they have and how many of them at any one time. It will also give you an idea of the skills you would need and what you would be doing.

hawgsquatch · #11 06/30/14, 02:38 AM

Fisheries or biology is a great career path. Bear in mind that you may have to take an underpaid governmental position which wants you to scew data to get a politically correct conclusion. In the opposite direction in the private sector the best biology, forestry, and fisheries jobs are usually offered by timber and energy companies. I live in an area with a university that pumps out a huge number of idealistic yet unemployable environmental grads every year. The few that go to work in the real world for real companies do very, very well.

Jokarva · #12 06/30/14, 12:11 PM

My nephew has a degree in environmental something (can't remember the exact name) with an additional certification in some sort of water testing (?) and he can only find seasonal work in Oregon...which is close to broke according to him. So check your state's financial condition if you're looking to remain there. My sister had dual degrees in biology and zoology, she went on to vet school after years in the military.