Science for the win...

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You know what people love? Being studied.

 

I have been a jack of all majors and a graduate of none. At university I've studied chemistry, biochemistry, history, philosophy, religion, botany, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, maths, astronomy, literature, ecology, cell biology, genetics, linguistics and psychology, plus several others I failed and/or abandoned before exams.

Of all the professors and professionals I met, psychologists are indeed among the most intolerant and judgmental. For some reason, microbiologists also seem to carry a chip on their shoulder, I figure it's because their subject is tiny and smells of poo.

Anyways, I've since studied the theories of magic, energy healing, channeling, astral projection and telepathy. Not astrology though, that's clearly hokum. Also, just to round off my education, applied meditation, marijuana and free love.

Finally, having gotten my midlife crisis and retirement out of the way in my twenties, I'm back in the saddle of hard science, starting again again, again.

Somewhere I picked up the bizarre notion that education is its own reward and shouldn't have any practical applications whatsoever, but this time around I intend to do something which will in some small way make the world a better place, for realsies.

I'm still vacillating over majors though. Any tips?

 

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Personally, it's minors that always keep me vacillating - which one to go for when there are so many on the street?

 

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Indeed, which brings us to the value of Pedobear in the field of calcification, as he so brilliantly solved the dilemma of "how young is too young?" by multiplying by zero.

 

How about... Geology? Can't get a better opportunity to a view nice landscape before digging a big fucking whole in the middle of it.

 

Yeah, funnily enough I've never considered geology.

What's it like? What does it entail? Is there likely to be job prospects beyond surveying for oil and mining companies?

 

When it comes to the actual science, it's a mix of physics, chemistry and general concepts. Since there's lots of processes we can't observe in nature, at least not with today's equipment, the usual way to figure things out is by making a lot of measurements, throw it all into a bag and, hopefully, come out with a valid explanation.

Modern geology (plate tectonics and shit) is surprisingly undeveloped and there's still tons of things that we really don't understand, such as what the mantle is actually made of.

One of the major reasons I like geology is the mix of field and laboratory work, especially if you don't aim for a academic career. Most of my classmates are looking for more urban jobs, such as geochemists monitoring groundwater around construction sites or structural geologist mapping cracks in tunnels. I know that geology in Aussieland is more focused on the mining industry, but I'm certain those other services are also sought for.

If you like beer, that's a big plus.

Edit: Forgot to mention some of the sub-branches of geology: Marine geology (dead stuff on the ocean floor and black smokers), the oh so important subject of paleoclimatology (actually quite interesting) and last but not least, SPACE GEOLOGY (IN SPACE!).

 

Those sub-branches do sound quite interesting indeed.

I'm actually considering geology now. Thanks.

 

Since you're so easily influenced, my suggestion is that you get a degree in Hair and Make-Up.

 

Follow your heart, man.

 

But don't, you know, actually follow your heart. That's a bloody road to walk.

 

Not really, as one literally goes where one's heart goes at all times.

 

Not me. I keep my heart in a drawer at home. It seemed like a waste to carry it around with me everywhere since I never use it.

 

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I'm currently a practicing Pharmacist. Licensed for going on 3.5 years now. I debated staying in school for an extra year or two and acquiring a specialty but after the already-long schooling period, I was ready to just move on and enter the workforce. No regrets yet, except when I look at my student loan bills.

 

Okay, finished enrollment today.

Settled on biology, chemistry and geology, partly because the physicist I spoke to was a dick.

 

My university major was physics.

True story.