career posibilities?

Bartman · 01-31-04, 10:21 PM

Need some help from anyone lol
Well i was talking with my sister today and we were just talking bout how i need to start trying in schoool (high school) because with good marks, obviously, you can get into any university you want and do whatever you want. We got onto the subject that i should start making goals but I just feel so lost because i have no idea what i want to do. She told me that i need to make sure that i get a job that when i wake up in the morning im happy to go to work, which in most cases isnt true for some people. I know myself, and i know there is no way that i can go to a job i dont like.

So then i started thinking about my passion for reptiles and the fact that i would absolutly LOVE a job that covers reptiles, aniamls, anything like that. My main problem is that im **** at math and to get into zoology or pretty much any sciences requires crazzzy math. Basically im lost and need an answer, if anyone can, as to what i should start thinking about if i want to get a job that has anything to do with animals, reptiles in particular, without needing math. I figured there are a lot of older people here that know a bit about real life (btw im 16) and what you need to do what.

My dream job, no joke, would just to live in australia and study animal life there. Things like watching population growth, health of ecosystems, etc. What job would have something to do with that.

thanks for reading my post
any answers/thoughts would be a real help!

Bartman

Neo · 01-31-04, 10:33 PM

by that last paragraph it sounds like you should study in the field of ecology. Takes knowledge in biology maybe animal psychology. The only math you'll need for that is statistics probably. I havent taken statistics yet but i bet it sure is easier than calculus and stuff.

Jeff Hathaway · 01-31-04, 10:47 PM

Bartman,

You are correct- Zoology, Ecology, etc. all require some math. Statistics, yes. Calculus, yes. Possibly others depending on the program. Try as hard as you can to get past these subjects- you need to understand them even if you don't use them much once you're out of school.

If you really can't do the math, consider a less academic program like the college Fish and Wildlife Technician program offered through Sir Sandford Fleming. While they don't focus much on reptiles in the program, I know some first rate reptile people who have gone through it. Not everyone needs (or wants) an academic degree, or plans to go on to do a Ph. D.!

Either way, jobs in the field are scarce, pay is typically low, and you can expect to bounce from contract to contract as job security is even lower. That is just the nature of things these days.

I'd agree strongly with your sister, though- it is important to find something to do which you enjoy!

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

suckrpnch · 01-31-04, 10:51 PM

I'm in almost the same boat as you. Difference is I'm 26, went to a tech/trade school after taking a year off after high school (i dont recomend the year off btw) and got a degree in computer networking. After only 2 years or so working in the field I had to quit. I loved what I was doing only as a hobby.. when deadlines, rules and restrictions, authority, and politics became involved, I hated it. Now I'm working retail trying to figure out what it is I wanna do with the rest of my life. I'm starting back to school again in march and have no idea what i'm going to be taking. I would love animal research or biology but I suck at math.. so something I'm leaning to is Natural Resources jobs (i'm in the states.. i'm assuming theres similar up there) .. anyways.. I'm rambling..

Good luck with whatever you do..

suckr

Auskan · 01-31-04, 10:52 PM

Just curious - why Australia? I'm an Aussie even though I now live in the US, so could maybe help with some info on that part of the world even though I can't give much career advice. (Btw, I can identify with the not knowing what you want to do thing. I felt the same way in high school - it made it really hard to choose a major in University!)

Wuntu Menny · 01-31-04, 11:13 PM

Here's a site that you may find helpful:

http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/careerfaq.html

WM

boydsnakes · 01-31-04, 11:27 PM

Like Jeff said Sir Sanford is good,i went there ,,but jobs are limited,mostly filing paperwork for grants,no real hands on....
Good luck though!

Sairys · 01-31-04, 11:47 PM

I am currently working on my university degree, 1st year biochemistry student. I know a lot of biology students (some within the animal science program) that have to deal with both calculus and physics. Both these courses offered for the 'bio stream' students are not as difficult as the courses taken by the physical science students (which I am involved in). There is a lot of support and help for these students and most universities have help rooms. I cannot speak for all campuses though. Good news is in most programs after first year...all math and physics courses are non-existent.

I recommend taking grade 12 calculus and at bare minimum passing the course. University calculus is nothing like high school, with studying and effort it can be conquered.

01-31-04, 11:55 PM

a Master's in Business is the best way to start, my BA's in sociology and psychology don't make neither as well as the Master's in Education with a sociology minor I get in May. Business and really Engineering (heavy math/science) majors get good bucks even with just 4 yr degrees 40K+. once you get the bucks in the bank, world is open for desire. Get a math tutor, pays well in the end.

Katt · 02-01-04, 01:27 AM

I'm third year bio, was hoping to head into veterinary studies, but now, I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm not really into bovine's, equines, or cats and dogs. I feel your pain! I'm considering teaching, not highschool or elementary, but university professor. I really enjoy educating people, seeing in their eyes the moment they go eureka.

Jeff Hathaway · 02-01-04, 09:20 AM

Hey Katt, there is a need for herp only vets:-) You'd need to move to southern Ontario where there is a bigger market though.

Two good points I wanted to comment on:

Suckrpunch's experience isn't isolated. Lots of people find that things they really enjoy as a hobby, or even as a money-making sideline, become drudgery to them when done on a full-time basis. Zoology related jobs are no different. Personally, I couldn't imagine working as a lab tech doing the same protocols every day, even if the specimens came from interesting life forms!

And although I can't work that way, I know people who have followed reverendsterlin's approach- make some decent money, and you can spend more time on the hobbies you like! Just watch that you don't get so hung up on making more money (or that your lifestyle doesn't balloon so much that it requires it) or you'll end up with no hobbies at all:-)

Sometimes a hobby is better left as a hobby.

And although my experience is somewhat out of date, I'd also agree strongly with Sairys- if you can get through the high school math, you'll be able to get through the university stuff required for the biological sciences! High school calculus was much harder than that required in first year university.

Consider spending some time volunteering with people who work in the fields you are interested in, and see what it is like. Realize though, that you likely won't see everything, just the highlights!

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Lisa · 02-01-04, 12:19 PM

I have found through multiple experience not to do a hobby as a job. I used to enjoy working on bicycles, then I worked in a bike store, now I can't remember the last time I put air in my tires never mind tuned it up. I used to love riding my bike everywhere, then I got a job as a bike courier, now I never ride my bike. I used to enjoy messing around with the computer, breaking things and fixing things, then I got a job fixing peoples computers and you guessed it, I hate working on computers now, I have a dvd-rw that we got for xmas that we have yet to install in our tower.
I have learned that I hate mindless repetitive stuff and dealing stupid people.

Siretsap · 02-01-04, 12:46 PM

Lol, the problem with our society today, is we allways get told in school to study hard, go as far as we can in studies and all. But most of us don't stop to think what it is we really want to do.

I started studies in natural sciences to become a vet, but then I got interrested in computers, changed my studies to do some in computers. I just finished a course at McGill for the Cisco CCNA and am enrolled for the MCSA course now, but right now, I also don't think I want to work in that field all my life.

I am thinking of heading back to try and get into vet school, but am 24 and already been working as a computer help desk for 4 years... once you taste to the life of working, it's hard to go back to school full time.

Anyhow, all this crap to tell people we really should think about what we want to do before we head into what everyone else want's us to study in. In the end it will save you big $$$$ and time, big $$$ meaning the time you spend changing programs in school are years you loose of salary in the end and time being the time you will have to work to get your pension...

Cruciform · 02-01-04, 01:04 PM

I just want to win the lottery, retire, and breed critters

Invictus · 02-01-04, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Hathaway
Lots of people find that things they really enjoy as a hobby, or even as a money-making sideline, become drudgery to them when done on a full-time basis.

Oh, is this ever true. I'm another example of it. I've been working with computers my whole life, and even started programming at the age of 10. I don't have a formal education, but because of my knowledge, I was able to land a white collar office job, and now I've got 7 years of IT experience behind me. (I don't recommend this path, as it's almost impossible these days - I got VERY lucky.) I'm now a Sr. Software Tester / Jr. Systems administrator, and on the side I run my own business in web and graphic design. And let me tell you... aside from the web & graphic design, I HATE IT. I'm actually thinking about not only switching careers, but switching collars altogether, and taking up carpentry or cabinet making. Quite a switch from databases and web servers!

So here's my advice - your first year of University, take math, all math, and nothing but the math. You're going to need the extra time to pass if you're not good at it as you say. But once you have the math courses out of the way for good, it's smooth sailing.