Please help me decide on a career in science?!?

Question

I am 28 and I was in the Navy for four years, as an electronics tech. I have been going to college, and I am almost finished with a BA in education. With only one semester left, I have decided not to teach. I thought maybe I should finish up with a BA in general studies and sell insurance or pharmaceuticals.These careers are not easy to get into and you need a little money for startup, which I have none. So I have to decided to stay in school. I am not sure what to change my major to, something in the sciences. I am interested in research or marine biology (which is not offered in AR). I am looking into a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. What are my pros/cons? What are some career options? Are there any other interesting career options in science I might not have heard of?

I have decided not to do the general studies degree, insurance, or pharmaceutical sales. I am interested in careers with a BS in Biochemistry and Marine Biology and the pros/cons of those careers. Thanks for all of the wonderful answers.

Answer 1

The main thing to consider about a career in science is that you need at least an MS degree, preferably a PhD for the majority of research jobs. So, if you plan on getting as BS degree first, it will be a long haul. You might be better off going directly for a MS or PhD in whatever field you choose, and devote the first year of the program to catching up on some science classes. You can talk with different universities to see if this is an option. You could also find the program you want to apply to, and take a year of classes at that university in a non-degree status to catch up a little before applying.

There are almost an infinite number of specialties in science. For example, a partial list of areas of emphasis in marine biology include: microbial ecology, estuarine ecology, biochemistry, marine pathology, marine pollutants and toxicology, coral reef ecology, fisheries, marine mammals, coastal zone ecology, restoration, bio-physical interactions, and specialized topics such as molluscs, phytoplankton, zooplankton, red tides, sea grasses and other macrophytes, ground fish, shellfish, sea turtles, mangrove forests, kelp forests - and many more topics.

Take a look at marine science programs at Scripps, Woods Hole, Univ of S Florida, UC Santa Barbara, Univ of Washington, U of S Carolina and look at faculty to see what the types of research are available.

Answer 2

With a BA in education and an interest in science, perhaps you could go into science education or science writing - in those careers you have the responsibility and the privilege of inspiring generations of people to challenge their minds, learn skills and consider humans in an alternative light.
What is your main interest in science? Did you study science at high school or did you continue to take sci-subjects in college? Knowing the answers to those questions would help us to offer more useful suggestions but in their absence, my main answer to your question would be more of a warning or a caution:
Think very carefully about what you know about the pharmaceutical industry. Investigate what they are and what they do because although they project a clean and safe image of progress through science and technology, they are of course businesses like any other and money is their driving force. For instance, what would you really know about the drug that you were selling? Would it really be better than the other drugs on the market? Would it be any different from the generic drugs of the same composition already on the market at half the price? What are the 'side effects' of the drug and do they outweigh the benefit to be gained by taking it? Is there really any need for the drug that you would be selling? Could the doctor be better solved by a longer consultation with the patient without the financial or hospitality incentives to write a prescription, as offered by the multi national pharmaceutical corporations.
Among the atrocities committed by the pharmaceutical industry world wide, I feel that the three most important to be aware of are 1) the creation of disease concepts (e.g.ADHD). 2) The high pricing of drugs that are patent-protected which denies health care to those that need it most. and 3) The power held by these large trans-national companies and the sway that they have over their regulators, politicians, health professionals and the world economy at large.
For more information have a look at http://www.critpsynet.freeuk.com/pharmaceuticalindustry.htm and the references therein. Alternatively watch this for a quick introduction, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81DmeC_EXKI
I hope you don't mind my words condescending- i write them only with the best intentions and with the hope that if we generate an awareness about this problem then the industry will have to start making changes to its code of practice.

Marine biology sounds like a great idea, it is hard to get into but it sounds as if you are an intelligent and motivated individual - have a look around and see if you can transfer to another university, or as you have suggested, look into BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - but at the same time, be aware of what the purpose of the research you intend to carry out will be.
All the best with your job hunting and good luck with the rest of your exams.
Alex

Answer 3

Chemical engineering and hydrology are both pretty hot. Also, something to do with alternative fuels and energy sources I think will be in high demand in the future as energy prices rise.

Life sciences are usually good to go into, especially with health care. Beyond that, I'm not sure how good the prospects are.

Pharmaceuticals can be a very lucrative industry if you can get your foot in the door. Pharm reps can make a lot of money and from what I understand are in pretty high demand. I have a friend who went in as a pharm rep, she has an MS in Psychology actually, so I expect it all depends on how you apply yourself.

These days, if you can combine business and finance studies into your academic career, that'll really help you a lot. Most orgs work closely with different business units and it's good to have an understanding of budgets since money is so tight at most places.

Answer 4

Astronomy supplies various employment opportunities. the main obtrusive is NASA, yet there are different a hazard governmental companies, which contains climate, oceanography, commerce, Agriculture, and protection. In inner maximum industry you have significant companies jointly with favourite Dynamics, Northrup-Grumman, and Boeing, initiate united statestogether with SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, and subcontractors, of which there are hundreds. There are 3000 planetariums interior the USA of a, a lot of which hire astronomers. interior the SF bay section you have the Morrison Planetarium, Chabot, and incredibly some others. Mount Hamilton Observatory is located purely outdoors San Jose. As for college coaching, there are various roles around. no it is easy to assume the interest industry in any industry six to 10 years interior the destiny, yet astronomy does pay sufficient to stay very conveniently for many interior the sector.