University - this might be a really naive question

[Ian]

As one of those who has done a few things I too say follow your passion not the dollar. Realise also that unless you are taking an applied science degree (enjineering, med, vet- med, etc.) you really are not prpared for any job with a B.Sc.

I got a molecular biology degree first then took a break and did forestry for a few seasons. Loved it, but couldn't pay the bills working 4 months a year. So I went back to school and while "finding myself' got a neuroscience degree,Then a degree in education.
Teaching was the best choice for me I truly love to do my job and enjoy going to work. I know a balance needs to be made between income and enjoyment but hey being happy is worth a lot of money.

Good luck with your choice

[Canadian]

I'd suggest reading the book "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Tom Rath. The premise is basically that we need to focus on what we do well and quit trying to fruitlessly work on improving our weaknesses. The book is a quick read and there's an online quiz to help identify your top 5 strengths. It also makes suggestions for optimizing your strengths and how to compliment them in a team.

That book might help direct your potential options. You're far more likely to stay engaged and motivated if you make life choices based on your strengths than you are trying to struggle through improving your weaknesses.

[Funky_Fish14]

Hmm, well, im certainly the one with the least 'life experience' in this thread (being 19, haha), but I might add my point of view:

Obviously, having an education really 'keeps your options open'. Even if you dont do something with the degree, you've proven to the world that you can accomplish such a thing. Also, most university courses will apply to other areas of study as well, particularly the earlier courses, as previously mentioned. The skills you learn in university can and do apply to everyday life as well. Im only in my first year of study (for a bachelor of science with a General Biology major, environmental studies minor), and I think the life lessons, intellectual devices, 'workplace habits', and all other skills i've learned, are almost exactly on par with the amount of 'book knowledge' I have gained. Im sure none of what i said is new to you, and is probably a repeat from the thread, but its my 2 cents worth.

Another advantage i've found really fun - the application of 4 out of my 5 current courses TO my fishkeeping hobby, and the application of my fishkeeping hobby, directly back into 2 of those courses. Im in the middle of a biology report based on my freshwater fish behavior, and have been able to use my hobby enthusiam and experiences for ALL of my personal responses in my environmental studies course. My teachers LOVE to hear about it. I think this aspect is pretty darn cool. Today even, my bio prof and I had chat about the evolution of diatoms and cyanobacteria(course is about evolutionary biology - so species, behavioral, cellular, molecular evolution). When 'work' turns into your hobby, everything becomes fun. I want to get a master's degree in marine biology. My job opportunities have turned into a playground (no I am not dissalusioned, because I truely am interested in (and willing to) doing/studying just about anything related to biology, aside from humans, lol).

The prospect of concepts related to biology are imense, and I knew there were LOTS of things I could do... now that im in school, I realise there is even more than I ever thought possible to choose from.

Cheers,

Chris

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Yes, for sure, I would recommend you try to find something that takes advantage of your strengths.

[Funky_Fish14]

Exactly.

It HAS to be fun, then you are more motivated to put in the effort. Aside from my mother and an uncle, who figured things out instantly, EVERYONE in my family that is currently 30+ has taken the time to find a career they LOVE. All my family members are happy doing what they do - and all continue to remind us youngin's that that is the most critical aspect of a career choice/path. It didnt always work out at first, but the experiences in the journey there were invaluable.

Cheers,

Chris

[Myka]

Upon looking at job advertisements, I have sarted to notice a lot of them saying the applicant has to have a degree. Sometimes in a related field, sometimes any degree. I guess they just want to know you can stick with something...?

Chris, what type of job opportunities do you have? I have heard that a degree in Biology doesn't turn up a lot of employment at the end of it.

Originally Posted by Canadian

I'd suggest reading the book "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Tom Rath. ... You're far more likely to stay engaged and motivated if you make life choices based on your strengths than you are trying to struggle through improving your weaknesses.

Yes, I think you have a point. I will take a look for this book.

[Funky_Fish14]

Well, if you dont care about the money (which I dont), then it opens it up a little more. I've kept a 'network' of aquaintences in many different areas - I also have numerous family members in different areas of biology. Alot of it includes 'research', but many opportunities for a 'technical assistant', also opportunities to eventually choose my own research topic, jobs at aquariums (you work your way up the totem pole, right?), family that does marine ferry tours, another few members do dive tours in Oz. I guess I sort of lucked out (father worked for Ducks Unlimited, is friends with many biologists and a zoology prof). Plus, I've always got a job doing the grunt work farming muscles(like the mollusk) off the coasts of mexico & BC with a cousin who is an oceanographer if I need. Lol.

I guess most of it, to start with anyways, ends up being research/technical assistance of sorts, or those are the easier positions to get. Im content however in any of those areas. Also, just remembered, opportunities through school, like the ability to be part of advisement councils(and have this as a job)- (for going 'green', or being environmentally friendly - and I am already part of the student group for this).

Maybe im just blabbing, but, I guess I've found there are alot of small things that most people dont want to do. Im happy doing them, lol. I've learned more about what they are through family, friends, school, people I work with, etc... (Even farming now that I think of it, as I head over and help the dairy farmers across the road on occasion)...

Hope that sort of answers the question?

Cheers,

Chris

[globaldesigns]

Myka,

I haven't seen anybody ask, but I may of just missed that post. So I will ask:

What are your hobbies/passions, beside Aquariums... Tell us a little about yourself. Maybe with a bit more info about you, others can give you suggestions of areas that might interest you.

[Myka]

That's the trouble...I don't like to do much. Reading I enjoy. Uber nerdy fantasy novels. Anything to do with animals...although I don't think I could handle being a vet. I despise any on-call type work unless I am being paid for the hours I'm on standby. I like Mon-Fri 8-12 hours a day. $50K a year I think is a reasonable minimum salary...even that is a tad low I think. I would like to be my own boss.

I am actually 6 months away from a Red Seal Carpenter. I also have my Class 1A license. I am considering busting out on my own and doing bathroom renos. I do enjoy that. Bathrooms are my favourite. I think i lack contacts though since I am new to the province. I am considering trying to find a job in carpentry for 6 months or so just so I can get some contacts.

I would love to have my own retail marine store, but I don't have enough start up money.

[Pan]

I'm 33 in university. Finishing off an Honors Philsophy degree then off to law school (or grad school, unsure yet)

University is not somewhere you go when you are looking for a job. Short of computer science, anything health related (bigm huge demand everywhere right now) or possibly some bachelor of science degrees you will need more school beyond a mere b.a. . In fact all a bachelors degree really says is i'm one of the few peoplke who made it through university now on to serious study. I drove a truck and made more than 85 percent of university grads. That is until they worked their way up the ladder, or went on to further studies.

Also university is hard, I have no idea your abilities, but please keep in mind to do well (you need a highish gpa to make university worth it) is harder than people think. If you think merely graduating university is enough you end up with problems. Anything less than a b avg and you may as well not have gone. If you are looking at, and can get into SAIT or NAIT (these are hard as well, take for instance their nuclear med. program 22 spots out of 1000 applicants) they train for specific high paying careers. 34-44 bucks an hour for most of the med related fields...

At 18 university is somewhere you go and then make up your mind, older no so much it costs a lot of money to figure out as you go (trust me ) i'm looking at 40 years old before i'm out in the workplace again (full time anyway) BUT i am doing something i love...any money being relative...well

Please don't tell me about grammar or spelling mistakes, i'm in the midst of finals and term papers and simply too busy to care