CompuServe Messages

I received a BA in Geology 17 years ago and have never regretted it, even though I used my degree only for a few years as a hydrologist and then moved on to other work. ( I just received my Masters in Architecture and have now started a second career, and it's tough being the "inexperienced" one again). I would loved to have stayed in geology but made one big mistake: I didn't get the Master's degree. In science, educational credentials matter. My big problem was that I was terrible in math and thus never took a single calculus class, which graduate schools want you to have. (But I ended up taking calculus as a prerequisite to get into architecture and did just fine… the difference being adult self-confidence, study habits, and interest in abstractions). Point is, you'll really need the MS degree. Concerning employment, I had a difficult time finding work in architecture following graduation and was tempted to apply for the numerous jobs in geology/hydrology dealing with ground water contamination (e.g. leaky gas tanks at filling stations). Some jobs, requiring only 5 years experience paid in high 30's to low 40's. There are still loads of these jobs opening up here in Florida. IMO, most jobs can be made interesting and rewarding. All work involves people and if one imagines their job as being linked to the lives of others, then doing well at whatever you do improves your/their "world." (this assumes you're in an ethical line of work). If you think about geology as a career, then see it as at least six years of education. If that seems like a daunting amount of time, which it is when you have a family, then maybe you should concentrate harder on what you are already qualified to do and use geology as a diversion to keep the world interesting and grand. As the philosopher Satre said, you can know a person more from their diversions than from their work. He recognized that we all have, and typically need a kind of breadth that cannot spring from only one source, as from only our career.