Curse

Goblinmatt · Feb 22, 2008, 03:11 AM // 03:11

Well im about to finish up my last year of high school and have pretty much decided on going to college for computer science (or something related to it).

I've started to have some second thoughts about it though. Im really into nature and animals and that sort of stuff, but from what i've seen, theres not many jobs in that field away from teaching. I DO NOT want to be a teacher

I cant see myself grading papers and planning out classwork.

So are there any decent paying jobs that involve something like that? Im not looking to be a biochemist or anything. And from the way I see it, I would much rather take a decent paying computer job (which I would still enjoy) then be something like an elephant pooper scooper. If im making good money I would have many more chances to travel and do the other stuff I like then if I had a low paying job.

Thanks

Redfeather1975 · Feb 22, 2008, 04:35 AM // 04:35

Edit: Okay, don't become a wildlife photographer unless you want the awful high chance of being dirt poor.

**cosyfiep** · Feb 22, 2008, 05:22 AM // 05:22

You can always do the computer stuff for your pay check and do the animal wildlife stuff for hobby/interest.

Richardt · Feb 22, 2008, 06:02 AM // 06:02

Well with going into college as an undergrad I would recommend take classes in both. And you might want to consider graduate school and getting at least a Masters.

I would also recommend that you take a look at what people are doing in computational biology-it's basically combining computer science and modeling to biological systems.

However, the majority of it is the biochem stuff, but there are research groups and labs out there that do do computational modeling of like predator/prey interactions, migrations etc. Will warn you it'll prolly mean a lot of programming and statistics, so you might want to hone your skills in programming and take a couple basic math courses.

Used to be a huge field a couple years ago, so I'm not sure what it's current state is though-so you'll need to do some leg work.

Basically at this stage, have an idea of what you want to do, but be flexible. As a personnal example, when I started undergrad I planned on teaching HS chem, but that got changed in a hurry and now I'm 2.5 years off from my PhD in Computational Chem and considering working in a gov't lab-and wishing I took more math and programming classes lol.

And remember it's best to change your major before your second year. After that it gets harder and harder to change.

TPike · Feb 22, 2008, 09:05 AM // 09:05

If you're really into computers too go for your degree / career advancement in that field.

Then when looking for employers seek out Zoos etc . . .

Goblinmatt · Feb 22, 2008, 11:39 AM // 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosyfiep

You can always do the computer stuff for your pay check and do the animal wildlife stuff for hobby/interest.

Thats what I was hoping to do.

I also like the idea of computational biology, im going to look into it. Thanks guys.

Father of The Son of God · Feb 22, 2008, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblinmatt

Well im about to finish up my last year of high school and have pretty much decided on going to college for computer science (or something related to it).

Brah, don't go to college for a degree. Go for the freedom and parties!

Don't worry about having a plan right now that you have to follow. You'll find that a lot of people end up changing their ideas of what they wanted in the time from 18 to 21 years old.

The big thing is to get a degree, and it can be in just about any field. Having that paper signals to employers that you're able to actually make a multi-year commitment to something--employers see a lot of people who talk about wanting to go to college, so they are keen for the people who actually accomplish. Obviously, some fields such as computers or statistics, will be more appealing to employers over a broad range.

But if you've got any kind of degree, I've seen ads for park rangers. And of course there's the possibility of teaching English overseas for a nice bit of starter cash.

If you really want a degree in a specific field, then think about graduate school for that. But the bachelor's degree is pretty much indistinguishable between majors.

Dante the Warlord · Feb 22, 2008, 07:42 PM // 19:42

Become a computer engineer *thumbs up* Maybe become a web designer even?

Winterclaw · Feb 22, 2008, 08:01 PM // 20:01

You could be a vet that works for a Zoo if there are jobs in that field.

thedeadwalk! · Feb 22, 2008, 09:35 PM // 21:35

Most likely you'll have two years into college before you need to declare a major. Till then, you work on the core classes of English, math, science, etc. like you are taking now. Also, many people get jobs outside of their major (like a friend of mine working in advertising who majored in history). A lot of businesses just want to see that you're able to complete tasks which a degree will be proof of.

The thing to work on will be extracurricular activities, computer skills, other abilities, and experience. See if a college you're looking at has an intern program which will help in seeing what jobs you actually like. Try to maintain at least a 3.0, keep up on Microsoft Office, and slap some work experience on a resume and you'll be golden. However, it's getting to the point where a college degree is like a high school degree, and businesses are wanting those with Masters.

As for nature and animals, there are a lot of positions in the government, non-profit, even private sector concerning conservation, advocacy, research, and the like.