I need advice about my major......

[alexmir]

I am currently unsure about what i am wanting to do for a career. I was in my sophmore year in University of Houstons hotel and restaurant management programs, but changedinto accounting because i did not want to be working until 2 in the morning every day, with not weekends while i am planning on having kids after i get done with college, in about 2 yrs. I am 20 yrs old, and just got married 2 months ago.
My father in law owns an accounting firm, and suggested the accounting field after i showed some interest in an accounting class i took last semester. So now i have taken a few accounting classes. It has been ok, i mean it would be a job to make money, not something i would love.
I am absolutely fascinated with everything SW, especially inverts: coral, crabs, snails, and little things crawling on rocks

.
my wife and i think that marine biology would be perfect for me, and there is an awesome program for it at A&M galveston 30 mins from me.
I am just not sure what to do, should i do accounting and get a CPA license, where i would make more money, or do something that i would enjoy more, but not make as much money. I am also unsure about the lifestyle of a marine biologist, like traveling.
I am looking for advice from people who have made a decision like this, and who have done either one of these fields, thanks so much for any help!!

 

[pontius]

I believe there is at least one marine biologist on this board, so maybe they'll answer. but from what I've always heard, marine biology isn't a field where one would expect to build a comfortable cushy life for a family. if it were me, I'd go the accounting route and just do the saltwater stuff as a hobby. or maybe a minor in biology and do the marine biology thing later.

 

[ophiura]

I would agree with the above, personally. Many people like the "idea" of marine biology, but there are a lot of things it is not. The first is that you will quite possibly need a graduate degree in marine bio - there are A LOT of people with the undergrad degree. It is not a sure thing. The second is that it is often not the sort of life where you may make a lot of money. Certain fields of it may be profitable, but you would have to seriously consider the impact on family. It is not a sure bet to get a job in the field by any means.
So yes, many people are in love with the "idea" of being a marine biologist. It is romantic. But it is not really that hot when it comes to feeding a family. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions and not do exactly what we love in exchange for having a stable job and career to raise a family. If you are not really sure about what area of marine biology to get into, that would be a bit of an alarm for me, personally. It is a very very big and diverse field.
I would suggest you do a lot more refined research into the field. The life of a "field" marine biologist is not necessarily 9-5, and if you already identified that as a concern, then you need to think about that. It is often long, wet days; and depending on the field a lot of time spent living from grant to grant and paper to paper and it becomes far less romantic living that life, especially when you have a family to feed. There is A LOT of competition in this field.
Fisheries biology, in particular, is perhaps a better way to go IMO.
Personally, I would suggest you finish up your current degree and start your family, which appears to be a major focus for you. Perhaps take some summer courses or something to see what it is about.
But realistically, you are hitting a question that many adults face. There are probably not many of us who are truly working at something we absolutely love and making the amount of money we like. Life is about making trade offs, IMO. If your family is a priority, get a sound education, get a good job/career with BENEFITs (never, ever underestimate the importance of these) and a pay check, and take the weekends to enjoy life on the shore or with your tank. Frankly, if you still love it in 10 years, it will still be there

 

[beth]

I'm not a marine biologist, but I 'd go with the accounting, or even business ed route, then think about turning your hobby into a business. Best of both worlds.

 

[alexmir]

Thank y'all very much for the advice, i have been thinking about it a whole lot. I do worry about the marine biology, that it wouldnt be steady income, and it would be hard to enjoy something, when i was worrying about paying my bills all day long......
Also, i guess if i make good money being a CPA, then i would have more money to spend on my hobby, and i could always research the marine life i have.

I will of course do alot more research, but it always helps to hear the thoughts of other people.

And i guess i could always try and turn the hobby into a business, and start a "Responsible" fish store for a change!!! haha

 

[pontius]

in my first year of college, I chose to major in psychology because it was the most interesting class for me. now, I have a worthless piece of paper that says "BA Psychology" on it. you're in a major where you're headed for a SPECIFIC job, so you're on the right path. I didn't have such a plan. and believe me, anyone with a pulse can get a degree in psychology. everybody talks about the importance of college. but I've come to firmly believe that if you don't have a specific plan in place, college is mostly a waste of time.

 

[beth]

Originally Posted by alexmir
http:///forum/post/2505934
And i guess i could always try and turn the hobby into a business, and start a "Responsible" fish store for a change!!! haha
Exactly. Could be fish store, could actually get into breeding or propagation. Nationally shipping, just as SWF does. Good luck!

 

[nyyankeees]

Originally Posted by alexmir
http:///forum/post/2505767
I am currently unsure about what i am wanting to do for a career. I was in my sophmore year in University of Houstons hotel and restaurant management programs, but changedinto accounting because i did not want to be working until 2 in the morning every day, with not weekends while i am planning on having kids after i get done with college, in about 2 yrs. I am 20 yrs old, and just got married 2 months ago.
My father in law owns an accounting firm, and suggested the accounting field after i showed some interest in an accounting class i took last semester. So now i have taken a few accounting classes. It has been ok, i mean it would be a job to make money, not something i would love.
I am absolutely fascinated with everything SW, especially inverts: coral, crabs, snails, and little things crawling on rocks

.
my wife and i think that marine biology would be perfect for me, and there is an awesome program for it at A&M galveston 30 mins from me.
I am just not sure what to do, should i do accounting and get a CPA license, where i would make more money, or do something that i would enjoy more, but not make as much money. I am also unsure about the lifestyle of a marine biologist, like traveling.
I am looking for advice from people who have made a decision like this, and who have done either one of these fields, thanks so much for any help!!

Maybe since you know the person who will most likely employ you in the accounting field you wouldn't be in the same situation, but my best friend is a CPA and during tax season he's at work til like 9 or 10 at night and works most Saturdays too. Also, if you go into a field just for the money and end up hating it you're going to get burned out pretty quick and be back to square one. Just some things to think about....

 

[nyyankeees]

Originally Posted by Pontius
http:///forum/post/2505969
in my first year of college, I chose to major in psychology because it was the most interesting class for me. now, I have a worthless piece of paper that says "BA Psychology" on it. you're in a major where you're headed for a SPECIFIC job, so you're on the right path. I didn't have such a plan. and believe me, anyone with a pulse can get a degree in psychology. everybody talks about the importance of college. but I've come to firmly believe that if you don't have a specific plan in place, college is mostly a waste of time.
So true! I have a liberal arts degree which is basically useless, but I've recently returned to school as a elementary ed. major, could've saved myself a few years.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I say go ahead and get your degree in accounting and take a couple of business courses on the side. That way, when you get ready, you will know the accounting side of business and can one day open up a store somewhere.
(as long as it isn't close to me) lol

 

[jrthomas40]

marine biology is only a field...made up of a whole slew specialities and you need to pick a specialty....it is a field where it will REQUIRE a higher degree than a BS to make money although i know people making money with a BS but they have been doing it for while....ONCE AGAIN THERE IS MONEY IN THE FIELD BUT IT IS SPECIALTY DEPENDENT....OPIHURA said it correctly fisheries biology and i will throw in marine aquaculture as the hot spots right now...just so you know i am not just a random joe throwing in .02...i have a BS in marine biology working on a MS in marine biology/ marine fisheries, i have worked with NOAA/NMFS and i am planning to get my PHD in reef conservation and marine fisheries/marine aquaculture....
now since you are already in your sophomore year it will probably take you another 3+ years to finish up all the REQs for the BS degree and it will hard sledding with just that
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsear...=&zip=&x=0&y=0
check out this site gives you an idea of what is needed and available

 

[burch2006]

As an accounting major myself you've really gotta love accounting. You're required to get 120 hours of classes every 3 years to keep your license. Accounting really is hands on stuff, and you have to enjoy what you're doing or you will get burned out. The average CPA lasts 7 years in accounting until they go do something else. About taking other business courses. You're doing that already I'm sure. In order to sit for the CPA test you're required atleast 150 hours of classes

lol. If you're not enjoying it yet i'd get out of it. But if you do like it, like me... your options are endless.

 

[mathwhiz]

I think it is important to love (or at least like or enjoy) your job. I think your family life is more enjoyable if you can like your job too (and much less stressful). I am a mathematics teacher - have been teaching almost 12 years and still love it. I enjoy the job, have steady hours and income (that increases a little each year) , do not work evenings or weekends (unless you volunteer at ballgames) and have a break in the summer (aside from the staff development). I am not financially rich, but my spiritual and family life is priceless. In addition to all that, I have gotten to know some really great kids (and parents) throughout the years.

 

[kerriann]

have you ever considering majoring in finance?? that way, you're not tied specifically to accounting but have other options if down the road you lose interest you have other sides of the field to explore.
i was torn when i was in college as well. i was a math major with the intent of becoming a math teacher for my first two years of college until my advisor finally confessed to me that i had to get a bachelors in math and a masters in sec ed when i finally confronted him about why he's not recommending any ed classes for me to take! knowing that i was paying for college myself and that coming out of college with a math major in pittsburgh would be a lost cause i decided to explore other options. knowing that i enjoyed math i started to look into accounting and finance - obviously - and decided to do the finance thing. found a great job with BNY Mellon and have more than enough opportunities if I begin to lose interest in my current job!
just another major to think about...exhausting, i know! just remember, there is no dream job - each has it's ups and downs. it wouldn't be "work" if it was fun all day long. find something you like to do and find a company that you enjoy working for/with.

 

[reefraff]

Accounting is one of those jobs that can get real boring if you don't like what you are going. Of course maybe you can land a job as an accountant for a marine related industry

 

[mfp1016]

Go engineering, by far the most versatile.

 

[ophiura]

I am a marine invertebrate taxonomist, and did go to grad school. In my field, there were guys with PhDs working at gift shops. Highly competitive, and the ideal you can hope for is to get one of the rather few teaching jobs at a university, write paper after paper and grant after grant until you can get tenure...and then it continues. I loved teaching, but there was little of it in that world which was mostly research (and the grad students did the teaching). You basically just had to get your PhD, get a couple of post docs, then hope for a job that dozens of others are trying to get too. Having a diverse background (being able to teach general biology especially) was critical.
So I never worked under the illusion that I would ever get a job in that field. I had a passion, I indulged in that for several years, and then I moved on. I have a job I "love" because it uses the SKILLS I developed at the time. I work in data management, which effectively is taxonomy

but it has a real paycheck and benefits.
In marine bio I would perhaps have a job I really was passionate about...until I couldn't necessarily pay bills, or was working from paper to paper and grant to grant and the red tape. Again, there is a romanticism involved here...and it is not necessarily the reality.

 

[fishycpa]

ACCOUNTING!
Just finished my Masters of Science in Accounting, very rewarding career in many ways.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by mfp1016
http:///forum/post/2508391
Go engineering, by far the most versatile.
I graduated may 07. I got lucky and got an 8 to 5 job. I have a double major in economics and international business. But some of the jobs offered to me were horrible. Upper 20's. I would seriously consider an engineering degree. You like in the oil capital of the USA. And all these companies are hiring like crazy. And they are all going offshore. If in 4 years you come out with an engineering degree. You'd just have to breath and have an engineering degree to get hired. The company I'm working for is looking to hire 1500 more engineers in the next 4 years. You'd could be on the water. And these companies are all "going green" so someone who has an appreciation for our oceans would go along way.
As someone who worked retail for 4 years while in college. I'd get out of restarant management in a heartbeat. Unless you like working 60+ hours a week with no overtime pay.

 

[mathwhiz]

Originally Posted by KerriAnn
http:///forum/post/2508268
have you ever considering majoring in finance?? that way, you're not tied specifically to accounting but have other options if down the road you lose interest you have other sides of the field to explore.
i was torn when i was in college as well. i was a math major with the intent of becoming a math teacher for my first two years of college until my advisor finally confessed to me that i had to get a bachelors in math and a masters in sec ed when i finally confronted him about why he's not recommending any ed classes for me to take! knowing that i was paying for college myself and that coming out of college with a math major in pittsburgh would be a lost cause i decided to explore other options. knowing that i enjoyed math i started to look into accounting and finance - obviously - and decided to do the finance thing. found a great job with BNY Mellon and have more than enough opportunities if I begin to lose interest in my current job!

just another major to think about...exhausting, i know! just remember, there is no dream job - each has it's ups and downs. it wouldn't be "work" if it was fun all day long. find something you like to do and find a company that you enjoy working for/with.
Sorry to get off the subject of the original post, although I found your statement interesting about your college professor. I majored in education with math emphasis and have been teaching math from 6th to 12th grades the past 12 years. I have just completed a masters degree this past year and that was of my own choosing, Not a 'get a masters or lose your job' situation. Maybe different colleges require different programs.