I need advice from friends...

[SnowFoxx]

Ok, here's my problem. Nick and I live in Maine, which some of you might know is a very large state with a pretty low population, and there isn't much to see and do up here. We are wildlife enthusiasts, however, and have decided to settle down here for good, buy some land, and raise a crop of kids and pets. Our original plan had been to move to California, where I was going to get a degree in Zoology and work at one of the many zoos or aquariums. There aren't any zoos or aquariums in Maine, so I settled for Elementary Education instead. Now that my first year of school is ending and I will be starting as a Education major next year...I'm not so happy with my choice. Leaving Maine isn't really an option, so...here's the question:

Should I damn the torpedos, major in Zoology and Wildlife Ecology, and hope I get a job after school? Should I stick with Elementary Education, which will definitely lead to a solid job, and always wonder if I would have been really happy if I had pursued my love of zoology? Should I force Nick to choose between me and the state he wants to call home? If I do choose Zoology, will I ever find work, will it involve travel, and if it does (which sounds very appealing) will I have to give up all my pets in order to be able to leave home for extended periods of time? Will Nick even let me travel?

I have a headache now. *sniffle* If anyone here has any insight on this....I need to hear some clear-headed opinions!

- Victoria

[beth wallbank]

elementary school would be my first lead. Although your love for animals does hold strong above the school teacher thing, it wont be as promising at job hunting. You do have to remember that most herpers have 'normal' day jobs, executives, bar tenders, bank clerks, hairdressers, office administrators, etc,... Having a school teaching job as a career should not stop you from your love for animals. On the contraire.....you could spend half your teaching days outside teaching nature stuff, something most teachers couldn't give two hoots about. You could also do presentations to schools being a teacher on herps and animals you have. Would be a good teaching aid.....and give you all the pleasure of working with animals that you love. You could also major in teaching and do a follow up in animal sciences, which you could teach biology or likeness in colleges etc,....
Just my two cents, but I think you better think about this and do what your heart tells you. Only you will know what you want to do. We can only tell you what we think you could and should do.

[Alicewave]

Why do elementary Ed when you could teach high school or middle school biology?

[Tim_Cranwill]

As I always tell people, you know what you want to do so get up the courage to just do it. There's no point living your life doing something you don't really want to be doing. If it's zoology that's in your heart, go for it. You'd be surprised at the opportunities life will put in front of you...

[Jeromerules]

One of the biggest things in life that bothers me is people just doing things for the money. For example a guy who has no clue what an engineer does wants to be an engineer because you can make big $$$. Say he gets to be an engineer and finds out he hates it. WOw what a waste. I am not saying you are wasting your money on a teaching degree. I say do what makes you happy. You have something inside of you wanting to go into zoology so then go do it. Remember you only get one life and one chance to get it right. I have a drem to be a pilot and I've had millions of people tell me there's no jobs there and you can't make it. I held my head up high and I'm going to an aviation academy starting this September. If you put your mind to it you can do whatever you want. ummmm I am running out of things to say. hehe REACH FOR THE STARS. Do what makes you happy.

Marine biology is probably in demand in Maine, as probably fishery managment, river ecology, game managment and others. Never forget to think outside the box even where animals are concerned.

[Jeff_Favelle]

SnowFoxx man, you gotta do what makes you pumped about life. You don't want to be regretting life 10 years from now when, with a tinsy bit more hard work, you can realize your dreams. Not everyone has the choices. Lots of people have the choices already made for them and those are the unlucky people. Do what excites you! Make it happen man.

[Steeve B]

Nothing is more important in this world then kid’s education, and what a teacher you who’d make having the ecological conscience that you have, your passion for animals will always be there for you, no matter at what level you enjoy it. Many times when peoples get involved with a professional animal career, they overload and loos some of this passion. Last winter was a world conference in natural science held in Bonn Germany, proof H.G.Horn talked with me about this conference, and basically all science fields agreed that we have don irrecoverable damage to our environments and its inhabitants, and are only possible way to stop this is thru education. Mark Bayless, who’s been teaching at deferent academic levels all his adult life, is now teaching to kids as he feels they are the ones who will make the change. What ever you do, be happy with your decision.
Kind regards

[tightsqueeze]

i agree with beth , go for the teacher thing and use your powers as an educator to start the young ones early in life and let them know what they can do to take part in preserving our beloved hobbies.....and herps in the wild too ofcourse

[NewLineReptile]

i also agree with Beth put in a way i also agree with Jeff sorry i'm not much help but really do what will make you happy in life you only live once and have no time for regret's good luck with what you decide