Thoughts on Biology major

[BadPoison]

Hi all,
I was hoping to get some thoughts from some of you that I know are currently working in different fields of Biology. For the last few months, I have been strongly considering getting my BA in Biology. I am not interested in going into med-school, but would rather work in some sort of research. I am interested in (though by no means exclusively) endocrinology, genetics, microbiology, and ecology. I would very much appreciate any thoughts any of you have on prospective career choices, education recommendations, and your own personal experiences as I have only taken a few Biology courses at the college level (among a few other science classes) and have only a vague idea of what I would like to do - I just know I'm extremely interested in this science.
Thanks,
BP

[BadPoison]

A little more background on myself:
I am 21 years old, and have changed my major multiple times -- I've been everything from a jazz studies major, to a business major, and accounting major. I have more than a hundred credit hours in the above various fields - and truly, they will probably serve no serious purpose on my transcript, though they have been a part of who I have become today.

I am fascinated with evolution through natural selection, and I can't seem to find enough books on the subject.

[curiosityandthecat]

My advisor always says to me, you'll find what you're meant to do when, whenever you think of that topic, it's like someone is standing on your chest and won't let up. If that's how you feel about Biology (though, that's pretty vague), then go for it.

That's how I came to the focus of my graduate work: religion as a cultural phenomenon in the lives of nonbelieving adolescents.

[VanReal]

I'm 35 and changed my major at least five times, and have 3 bachelors to back up the inability to make a decision!  It's hard to find a job in a lab for science work with an undergrad degree, unless you want to teach which in Texas requires you to be certified and then have your masters within your first 6 years of teaching.  There are some good labs here though if that's actually of interest.  I have a friend that works with "cells" in different stages (I don't pretend to understand) and she enjoys it, but had to get her doctorate to get her foot in the door.

Unless you have a passion for something it's hard to make that decision at 21.  College helps for that because you can try many things and hopefully find someting that pops.  I'm 35 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up:)  Good luck!




Edited: Because I stink at typing.

[curiosityandthecat]

I'm 35 and changed my major at least five times, and have 3 bachelors to back up the inability to make a decision!  It's hard to find a job in a lab for science work with an undergrad degree, unless you want to teach which in Texas requires you to be certified and then have your masters within your first 6 years of teaching.  There are some good labs here though if that's actually of interest.  I have a friend that works with "cells" in different stages (I don't pretend to understand) and she enjoys it, but had to get her doctorate to get her foot in the door.

Unless you have a passion for something it's hard to make that decision at 21.  College helps for that because you can try many things and hopefully find someting that pops.  I'm 25 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up:)  Good luck!

Wow, in the space of one paragraph, you went from 35 to 25... you found the fountain of youth! It's not in Texas, is it?  

[VanReal]

I'm 35 and changed my major at least five times, and have 3 bachelors to back up the inability to make a decision!  It's hard to find a job in a lab for science work with an undergrad degree, unless you want to teach which in Texas requires you to be certified and then have your masters within your first 6 years of teaching.  There are some good labs here though if that's actually of interest.  I have a friend that works with "cells" in different stages (I don't pretend to understand) and she enjoys it, but had to get her doctorate to get her foot in the door.

Unless you have a passion for something it's hard to make that decision at 21.  College helps for that because you can try many things and hopefully find someting that pops.  I'm 25 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up:)  Good luck!

Wow, in the space of one paragraph, you went from 35 to 25... you found the fountain of youth! It's not in Texas, is it?  

Oh no!  I am like a maniac on a laptop, so used to my keypad, never get things right using the QWERTY keyboard for numbers:)  Oops.

[McQ]

Hi all,
I was hoping to get some thoughts from some of you that I know are currently working in different fields of Biology. For the last few months, I have been strongly considering getting my BA in Biology. I am not interested in going into med-school, but would rather work in some sort of research. I am interested in (though by no means exclusively) endocrinology, genetics, microbiology, and ecology. I would very much appreciate any thoughts any of you have on prospective career choices, education recommendations, and your own personal experiences as I have only taken a few Biology courses at the college level (among a few other science classes) and have only a vague idea of what I would like to do - I just know I'm extremely interested in this science.
Thanks,
BP

I also had a hard time deciding on a major, changed my major four times at two schools, and ended up with two degrees. But you really have time to nail it all down, so don't stress yet over not having something firm. I will give the same advice I give my sons, and which seems cliched and hackneyed, but it's true. Pursue that which you are passionate about and enjoy doing. If you have to stay in school longer than is considered "normal", so be it.

While you're still young enough and have the freedom from family responsibilities, do all you can toward your goals. It's much harder if you get hitched and start a family (if you intend to do that some day).

I work loosely in Biology, as a hematology consultant in a biotech firm, but I'd rather be doing primary research in Biology.

What ever you want to do, just go after it!

[Will]

I remember reading that career scientists are among the most content in all careers.

Here's a list of bio-major careers:
http://facweb.furman.edu/~jsnyder/caree ... rlist.html

[VanReal]

Great advice McQ no matter how it's viewed.  Passion should be followed, why wouldn't a person do so?  I am one of those that is scattered and doesn't have any one driving passion.  I envy those people that know what they want, and have passion.  Thre's nothing cliche about that advice, it's dead on!

[BadPoison]

I remember reading that career scientists are among the most content in all careers.

Here's a list of bio-major careers:
http://facweb.furman.edu/~jsnyder/caree ... rlist.html

This link doesn't work for me =/

[BadPoison]

Hi all,
I was hoping to get some thoughts from some of you that I know are currently working in different fields of Biology. For the last few months, I have been strongly considering getting my BA in Biology. I am not interested in going into med-school, but would rather work in some sort of research. I am interested in (though by no means exclusively) endocrinology, genetics, microbiology, and ecology. I would very much appreciate any thoughts any of you have on prospective career choices, education recommendations, and your own personal experiences as I have only taken a few Biology courses at the college level (among a few other science classes) and have only a vague idea of what I would like to do - I just know I'm extremely interested in this science.
Thanks,
BP

I also had a hard time deciding on a major, changed my major four times at two schools, and ended up with two degrees. But you really have time to nail it all down, so don't stress yet over not having something firm. I will give the same advice I give my sons, and which seems cliched and hackneyed, but it's true. Pursue that which you are passionate about and enjoy doing. If you have to stay in school longer than is considered "normal", so be it.

While you're still young enough and have the freedom from family responsibilities, do all you can toward your goals. It's much harder if you get hitched and start a family (if you intend to do that some day).

I work loosely in Biology, as a hematology consultant in a biotech firm, but I'd rather be doing primary research in Biology.

What ever you want to do, just go after it!

Thanks for the advice MCQ. It is frustrating to know how much longer it will take me to get a BS in Biology. I have a ton of "useless" credit hours (100+ unused credit hours) in so many other subjects, and with the necessity of having to continue my full-time job it is hard to not be discouraged. With my work schedule limiting the number of courses I can take per semester (also only being allowed night classes) it looks like it might be another six years before I have my B.S. If I wasn't working I could probably knock out the degree in just 5 more semesters. =/

[Will]

I remember reading that career scientists are among the most content in all careers.

Here's a list of bio-major careers:
http://facweb.furman.edu/~jsnyder/caree ... rlist.html

This link doesn't work for me =/

Whoa, that's strange. The page stopped working today. Here's another:
http://www.rivier.edu/departments/carde ... iology.htm

Hopefully it won't go down.

[VanReal]

Thanks for the advice MCQ. It is frustrating to know how much longer it will take me to get a BS in Biology. I have a ton of "useless" credit hours (100+ unused credit hours) in so many other subjects, and with the necessity of having to continue my full-time job it is hard to not be discouraged. With my work schedule limiting the number of courses I can take per semester (also only being allowed night classes) it looks like it might be another six years before I have my B.S. If I wasn't working I could probably knock out the degree in just 5 more semesters. =/

That is sooo frustrating!  But try to think about how well-rounded you'll be. (That's what they tell you at least:)  I think I graduated with my first bachelors with 163 credit hours.  But, the others came so quickly because of all of the core mess being out of the way.  Going at night is difficult, especially when a few classes are often only offered during the day.  I had trouble tackling those until I was at my workplace longer so I could talk them into the "extended lunches" for classes, etc.  Hang in there, just think, you don't want to waste those 100+ you have already spent time earning.  And, btw you'll still be a young pup when you are done so you are on track fo sure!

[BadPoison]

Thanks for the encouragement, VanReal.

Will - I'm going to check out that link right now! Thanks.