CompuServe Messages

(This is long! Please read all of it!) Hi Gary: Several sides to your dilemma: I am a strong believer in "Do What You Love" (or "Do What You Are"). Many people majored in geology a decade(+) ago because it was seen as "easy money". "I like to hike and camp anyway, and they pay you big bucks." I had worked as a laborer for an oil exploration company and knew that the professional geologists did not spend very much time (maybe one day per several-month job!) in the field, so I didn't have that misconception — but I *loved* geology. Then, just about as we finished our degrees, the big bucks dried up. It didn't matter to me because I loved my science. I have not kept in touch with any of those who took geology for the money, but I imagine they have either gone on to other careers, sorely disappointed, or are working in a field they do not love for less money than they thought they would — also disappointed. I went straight from my B.S. to work in a Chemical Analysis department (for an oil company). Some of my work is related to geology, but it is not geology. But I found out I like x-ray diffraction and am good at it, in a practical sense. Now, however, I find myself soon to be without a job and without a specialized degree, in a narrow field of shrinking employment opportunities, where published Ph.D. authorities in crystallography have been laid off by IBM and other R&D companies. I'm a long way from my studies in geology, and I abandoned the idea of an advanced degree when I got married (and we don't even have kids). For the following reason: GEOLOGY IS VERY DEMANDING FIELD. Once you get beyond the introductory courses (which exist partly to attract non-majors, to swell the enrollment and justify the budget), this major entails heavy lectures, big labs, and field work — even weeks or whole semesters tramping around measuring or picking up dirt. The proportions of these vary with your speciality, but advanced study of geology is as demanding as medical school (and if you want to work, a 2 or 4 year degree is not very promising, as noted). You have to have a life. And you have to support your family in all ways, not only financially but with your presence. Even though adults with families do go to medical school, they have the advantage of a light at the end of the tunnel: even with the Health Chaos called Health Reform, most MDs and DOs can work in their field and support themselves and their families. Not so in geology, at the present time. GEOLOGY IS A VERY REWARDING FIELD. I think everyone should study at least some geology: it makes everything (except maybe paved urbanity) interesting. It teaches you to think about very large things, very small things, things that happen very slowly and those that happen very quickly, time, matter. My advice is to find as interesting a job as available with your current degree (look outside the "economist" column in the classified, too: they say that many jobs are never advertised because they *didn't exist before they were filled*!). Look for companies that are involved with science (not just geology) so that you can rub shoulders with scientists and find out about their work. And for that matter, you may find work that does not even use your degree, or only slightly related… BY ALL MEANS — study geology. Start with a physical geology class at a junior college. Take your family hiking, or at least walking (but the 6-year-old could surprise you!), and everybody can learn from your class. If you can find ways to blend your work with science or at least prepare yourself to explore linked careers, great. You'll be ready to move into more fulfilling employment when it surfaces — or when you make the job! Finally, I absolutely suggest you get "What Color Is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles. You need to read it cover-to-cover, including the appendices. It's published every year (to keep up with the job market), but sometimes older versions are available in used bookstores for cheap. Be sure to get 1992 or later; the important appendices were added that year. This book will help you explore your interests AND abilities, and to balance ALL aspects of your life. Good luck — E. — P.S. By way of a "related career", I will probably go into scientific writing after I am terminated. But I am lucky that my husband can support me while I explore and develop this option.