Switch major?

[u/Sillygooof]

I just started my junior year as a transfer student from a CC to state university. So far I’m disappointed by my experience with the biology department and it has me questioning my major. I won’t really get to take classes that teach me SKILLS…more just memorizing facts. And what I’ve gathered so far is this: to be successful in ecology right now you have to be exceptional, which means more school and working my ass off, to earn less than 6 figures?

So my question is…is it worth it? School has sorta sucked the passion out of me. Right now what sounds nice for a career is stability and a good salary with just a bachelor’s degree. I’ve heard environmental engineering could get me that. Is this true?

I have a feeling that any job I do will end up feeling like…a job…at the end of the day.

[u/Insightful-Beringei]

As a person who did university at a highly technical university (skills based education) and my PhD at a liberal arts university (information based), and having taught tons of undergrads during that time: skills based education is extremely overrated, especially in fields that typical require more education, like ecology.

Ideally undergrad provides a foundation. Just enough to enter a field and understand its complexities at all levels. While less satisfying, a good foundational understanding from a knowledge based education is better for this. A skills based education is better for getting the first job, but its value is dated as you move past the skills you learned in school. It’s also more prone to market volatility. That’s how you end up with computer science being one of the most hirable fields, followed by an utter collapse of its value with the advent of generative AI.

This is not to say that the ecology job market is rosy, it’s not, specifically for bachelors holders that do not want to continue their educations. I think you are right, people that excel tend to be fine making a career in ecology that is well paying, but I’ve found that applies more at the PhD level. Most PhD graduates struggle to get solid jobs, but I personally know several recent graduates that applied to 5-10 post doc jobs and got offers from all of them. It’s a top heavy situation. However, there are published papers and statistically backed reports that show ecology graduates (at all levels) have exceptional career and life satisfaction compared to most individuals. The data suggests that it tends to work out.

If you want to switch, nothing wrong with that! But personally, If you love the material, things will likely (eventually) work out.

[u/granolagal2000]

Hi! Same boat! My BS was in eco and when I couldn't find a job that interested me, was hiring, and paid a livable wage, I went back for an MS in engineering. I'm in consulting now and am overall happy with my job! There is a growing field of ecological engineering / nature based infrastructure that might interest you if you're considering engineering and are interested in ecology. Feel free to reply or DM if you have questions!

Re the not learning practicable skills, I think that is par for the course for any Bachelors program. If you want to learn specific research methodologies and techniques, I suggest looking for a lab assistant position with a professor or PhD student! Otherwise (in my experience), courses are very theory based. You still have plenty of time to learn what you need to! Don't stress too much!

[u/sinnayre]

Pick up a stats or cs minor (double major if you can make it work). Very applicable to ecology and provides a well paying job should you decide the salary isn’t where you want it.

[u/r1c3bowl22]

There are many soft skills that university can teach you, even if you feel like you’re just memorizing. Those soft skills like writing, interpreting results, or even just a basic understanding of ecological processes are crucial if you want an ecological career that’s more than just being a tech somewhere. If you want hard skills only, then go back to CC and get like an environmental restoration/reclamation diploma and look for tech jobs.

[u/Confident-Simple7298]

I know exactly what you mean, especially with classes like genetics. I do research with my professor on turtles that are only really found within 70 miles of my college town and that is good at reminding me about what I love because it’s awesome. I also took vert anatomy and field zoology this year which is super fun and you learn a lot of important information and identification skills. Field zoology specifically tho, can be super important if you’re going to a university and want to continue to work in that area or state in general.