Best Science Major For a Job

Off Topic
21

[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

I also like the idea of building a portfolio, i.e. study something, make up an interesting project, do the project, and then make up some presentations and really sell what you’ve done. This will set you apart from a ton of other candidates, and if you’re really interested in the project, you will get “nerd” points from potential employers who think because you do the stuff for free on your own time, you’ll be a star when actually getting paid. [/quote]

I have heard employers say the opposite. As in, they want a more rounded person and not somebody who spends all their free time writing code. In my experience, they want to hear you tell them that you are very active, like to volunteer, do things with friends, etc. in your free to show you do have a life outside of work. [/quote]

I dunno, I think you should just do both.

Get good at what you do outside of work. And have a life outside of work. Shows you know how to time manage, and that you’re passionate about what you do.

22

I’m not going to quote your reply, but it’s great you have a good understanding of where you are. In that sense, you’re much better off than most people in your situation.

Honestly, computer science can make you a shoe-in, it can also be really hard. It’s like most things… if your timing is right and they have a need and the resources to train you, it’s easy to get a job. Otherwise, you pretty much need to find a way to demonstrate that you’ll be able to add value as soon as possible. The more capable you are coming in, the better off you’ll be.

On the other hand, It doesn’t sound like you’re particularly passionate about your field though. What did you do your thesis on? (Just curious.)

I mean, Computer Science does pay well for awhile, but the burnout rate is high. The majority of your time is spent one-on-one with a computer, trying to make it do something it doesn’t want to do. Even without any sort of office politics and meetings, just the sheer nature of the work is often a constant struggle with lots of frustration and dead ends. Now, it’s also pretty rewarding when you get stuff to work and can be pretty liberating. It’s just you may or may not be suited for it. For the most part, it’s a pretty antisocial profession and can give you tunnel vision about certain aspects of the rest of your life.

23

I had to opt for additional coursework and a comprehensive oral exit exam in lieu of a thesis because of how far back my failing health put me and I couldn’t afford to live there any longer to spend extra time to make up for that. Fortunately, those health issues have since been completely resolved. My coursework had a focus in chemistry. I am passionate about the field… but that’s irrelevant if I can’t get into it which is very disappointing to me, but we gotta do what we gotta do.

And really, I love all the natural sciences. They all fascinate me. I love college too. It’s really just a matter of finding one that pays, where the jobs are available, and that I have at least a little knack for. So it’s not so much that I don’t like env. sci. it’s that I like all the natural sciences that much. I just hate that it seems like I’ve wasted 7 years of my life and am 40 grand in debt with nothing to show for it. My dream is research of some sort, but I know I need a phd for that so that could easily be over 6 more years of education, a ton more debt, and that would put me in my 30s by the time I start a career.

As far as engineering/math/physics, I’m not going to lie, the math is my biggest fear. It isn’t hard work I’m afraid of, it’s putting in a ton of hard work and end up yielding nothing that I’m afraid of. I’m convinced I’m capable of the intro calc series and basic physics, but even then I’ll be struggling to get A’s/B’s.

Does anyone know anything about the geology field or geophysics? I’m reading about it and it sounds promising, but it looks like a Masters might be needed to be competitive. I’m still weighing my options so that might be okay, I’m just not sure yet.

The more I hear about computer science, the less appealing it sounds… even if I make bank is it worth it if I have to put all personal life aside and abhor the job… I mentioned it because at this point, I’m still brainstorming

That GIS idea you laid out Dr. Matt looks very appealing. I’m trying to look into GIS some more and all I can see is that it’s really broad from automobile traffic to market analysis to epidemiology. Which sciences does it tie into the most and demand it the most? It seems like anything dealing with water/land resources from wetland delineations to oil/gas exploration to reclamation/remediation have a need for it. Now that I think of it, I think I’ll contact my GIS professor from grad school and see what he has to say.

I’ve gotten more out of this thread then I even thought I would at first. Thanks a lot everyone.

24

[quote]LoRez wrote:
I dunno, I think you should just do both.

Get good at what you do outside of work. And have a life outside of work. Shows you know how to time manage, and that you’re passionate about what you do.[/quote]

This is it right here. I’ve been there, and a lot of people have, that say they don’t have time or they are so busy, but a big percentage of their free time is spent on the internet on forums/porn/facebook or other equally inane time wasters.

If you get out of bed in the AM and out of the house by 7, hit the gym, go to work, hit the gym again or do another hobby, then get back home at 7, cook a real meal, do some errands, then hit the sack. Everytime I’ve hit a truly productive period in my existence, this was it and I was never home and when I was, I was prepping for my next day/week. It’s the limits of being a human and you can’t do everything, so focus on what you want to do and start saying no to everything else.

Also, most people shouldn’t have to pay for graduate school. If you want to go the research route, talk to professor’s and see if they have openings in their labs. Generally, you need to have the skills to do the work, but you should get tuition paid and maybe a stipend that will keep the rent paid. This is the route to research. Its generally highly competitive, but if you have an MS you are qualified to work somewhere.

Debt is slavery and there’s a whole lot of slaves walking around who don’t even realize it. I get your debt paid off before even considering taking more on, especially if you want to get into research as there’s not a whole lot of money in it, NSF/DoD/Gov funding is about to get hit hard but at least there’s the social media bubble and some productive money in play in IT/GIS in general.

Data science is also a hot place to be. If you haven’t realized yet, there is no online privacy and people are worried about the gov, but they should be far more concerned about industry who has their data and isn’t obligated by any laws in how they use it. They need people to mine it then turn it into capital. Its a mix of statistics and computer science and coding, so it’s a ball buster of work learning it, but the less people that know how to do something, generally the more pay.

25

This thread is interesting to me as I am looking for a career change and I have a science background, although more of a human biology background.

Can someone tell em more about GIS? I enjoy physics and maths so something like this might be good to look at.

tweet

26

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:
2. Engineering/math/physics are all good undergraduate degrees (and amazing PhD candidates) to get and are pretty much interchangeable as far as the jobs that you can get with them, although if you want to be an engineer you usually have to take a qualifying exam (in the US it is the PE exam, but it is not that tough). The downside here is that you will have to actually get the full degree.
[/quote]

Professional state licensing (PE) is completely optional for engineers and requires at least 4 years of relevant work experience after graduating and completing the fundamentals exam. You can take the fundamentals exam before you graduate, but you won’t be recognized as an Engineer in Training (EIT) until you get your BS.

Most of the engineers that I’ve worked with do not have a PE. If you’re anything other than civil or mechanical it’s not really worth all that much except as a resume booster. Those are generally the only disciplines where a PE stamp is ever used on drawings.

That being said, I’m a ChemE and I’m on my way to getting my professional license. The only reason I took the FE was due to work being extremely slow at the time, so I had nothing better to do. If I had been as busy then as I am now I probably wouldn taken it. What you’ve done on the job means a lot more to companies than evidence that you can study for and pass a standardized test. However, since I’m already an EIT and only need another year of experience to take the PE exam, I will certainly follow through and get the paper, just because I can.

27

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Scotto wrote:
Geographic information systems[/quote]

Interesting, there’s a graduate certification program at U of H that’s 5 courses long one of which I have already so 4 more I would have to take. I just wasn’t sure what the prospects of it were. It would tie into the degree I already have nicely too. [/quote]
Im hiring[/quote]

Great! I’m available, should I send you my resume!?[/quote]
Yep
djhtimbs@gmail.com

28

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Scotto wrote:
Geographic information systems[/quote]

Interesting, there’s a graduate certification program at U of H that’s 5 courses long one of which I have already so 4 more I would have to take. I just wasn’t sure what the prospects of it were. It would tie into the degree I already have nicely too. [/quote]
Im hiring[/quote]

Great! I’m available, should I send you my resume!?[/quote]
Yep
djhtimbs@gmail.com[/quote]

Watch out for Derek if he asks to speak to you in his office. Surprise Buttsex is in your future. lol

29

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Fletch1986 wrote:

[quote]Scotto wrote:
Geographic information systems[/quote]

Interesting, there’s a graduate certification program at U of H that’s 5 courses long one of which I have already so 4 more I would have to take. I just wasn’t sure what the prospects of it were. It would tie into the degree I already have nicely too. [/quote]
Im hiring[/quote]

Great! I’m available, should I send you my resume!?[/quote]
Yep
djhtimbs@gmail.com[/quote]

Watch out for Derek if he asks to speak to you in his office. Surprise Buttsex is in your future. lol
[/quote]
Lol.

30

I will be getting my 2nd degree is CS around this time next year.

Depending on the school and program it can be brutally difficult. If it’s an MS program you are probably going to need to review Algos and Systems Programming before enrolling. Probably Computer Arch and some OS too. Guess it probably depends on how rigorous the program is.

The upside: I get a lot of recruiters coming to me with well paying jobs at reputable organizations. When I apply for positions at places which aren’t actively recruiting, I often get calls back and interviews/interview offers. Basically I have my pick of a plethora of dev/software engineer/programmer jobs. I also have 4 years as a Systems Engineer on my resume though.

Downside: Sit in front of computer all day (I guess this could be a good thing depending on where you fall on the introversion/extroversion). IMO, existentially, it’s not really a super fulfilling profession, but that’s totally subjective. Also, there is a ceiling for software engineer at about 150k. You’re going to need to switch to management if you plan on making more. CS has a lot of really obnoxious people too.

31

Hi.

Someone say GIS?

Over 20 years in surveying/mapping, geo-science, and “GIS”.

  1. The value in GIS is the subject matter. GIS is a tool. Like any tool, its use becomes a commodity. If I’m an oil company or a pipeline operator, I’ll take the person that knows the business of oil and gas over a generic “gis analyst” every time, unless there is some other value-added skill.

  2. If you’re looking for something formal for GIS education, then I’d say a certificate program along with your major (eg. Env. Science + GIS cert) is a good investment, or, an MS in geography or other geoscience heavy in mapping. Like, geology.

  3. Look at ESRI’s website (esri.com) under “industries”. If you want to use GIS, then learn the industry of your choice.

  4. Nothing wrong with a CS degree. It’s the skill of the future. However, in practice, programmers are commodities. Those with subject matter expertise are in higher demand because they will know “the business” and will understand the requirements and workflows of customers. Think of how a utility manages its assets. There are work orders, engineers, costs, timing, approvals, etc. All those workflows can literally take years to document, and then spec’d out, then at the end, they’re handed off to a junior programmer (or intern) to code. Having said that you have to start somewhere.

  5. I started out in the art and science of land surveying at a time when we still used programmable calculators. I taught myself to program in a time when there weren’t a whole lot of programs out there, especially in mapping. The most brilliant programmers I know (I’m not one of them) do not have CS or programming degrees. Several have no degrees, and oddly, several were English majors…

  6. I was a map geek as a kid anyway. Collected rocks and dinosaurs. I still do (right, Derek, my T-Rex brotherfromanothermother?) If you’re fascinated with puzzles, maps, and don’t mind watching progress bars for a living, GIS is a great tool in context. If spatial analysis (solving problems in time and space), then a modern geography degree is quite relevant.

  7. I forget where I was going with all this… LOL… happy to answer any questions.

  8. Oh, can’t go wrong ever with an Engineering degree. Ever.

Good luck with your choice!

32

I just realized OP is in Texas? Houston is a perpetual hotbed of GIS. I talked to several companies down there but I couldn’t be sold on Houston.

But, if you’re already there…

33

[quote]Dr.Matt581 wrote:

  1. GIS is a great field to be in right now. People are hiring for GIS left and right for the time being so if you are able to complete a graduate certificate in this, then that is a good idea. In addition to the standard course material for the certificate, I would recommend that you take undergraduate level courses on discrete mathematics (sometimes called discrete structures), linear algebra, and a complete introductory calculus sequence (1,2, and 3) if you have not already, a couple of introductory level computer programming courses such as a course on data structures and intermediate level java and maybe a systems level programming class and/or software engineering course to help develop your programming skills. You should be able to this in 2-3 semesters depending on how many of these classes you have already taken and it will make you an excellent candidate for GIS and computer programming jobs and you won’t have to get another full degree.
    [/quote]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, big guy.

You know what you call a guy in “GIS” who has all that math n shit?

Intern

I kid, I kid (sort of).

See my earlier post :wink:

For general programming, Java is fine (I guess). For GIS, right now: C#.NET and Python + REST services and Javascript + HTML5.

It’s all going web based.

34

Also want to add that it’s not useful to think of “GIS” as a “field”. It’s a tool.

Large scale map production shops outsource labor, typically to India. Lower level programming often gets outsourced as well.

The real meat of GIS is implementing the “S” part of GIS. It’s a system, a tool, that integrates with a business.

Again, think of an electric or gas utility. Engineers, analysts, and professionals use GIS as a tool to do their work. They are first engineers, or inspectors, or asset managers, (or IT people who got assigned to ‘do GIS’). They learn GIS and usually become versed in it.

You don’t apprentice in “hammer”, you apprentice in carpentry. GIS is a map hammer… (lol?)

35

OMG someone shut me up.

36

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
I just realized OP is in Texas? Houston is a perpetual hotbed of GIS. I talked to several companies down there but I couldn’t be sold on Houston.

But, if you’re already there…[/quote]
0_o

Yes Steely you could have been in Houston

37

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
I just realized OP is in Texas? Houston is a perpetual hotbed of GIS. I talked to several companies down there but I couldn’t be sold on Houston.

But, if you’re already there…[/quote]
0_o

Yes Steely you could have been in Houston[/quote]

One company was listing the ‘pros’ of living in/near Houston. They mentioned “Astros”.

I said “You didn’t really just try to sell me on ‘The Astros’, did you?”. She said “OK, point taken”.

38

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
I just realized OP is in Texas? Houston is a perpetual hotbed of GIS. I talked to several companies down there but I couldn’t be sold on Houston.

But, if you’re already there…[/quote]
0_o

Yes Steely you could have been in Houston[/quote]

One company was listing the ‘pros’ of living in/near Houston. They mentioned “Astros”.

I said “You didn’t really just try to sell me on ‘The Astros’, did you?”. She said “OK, point taken”.[/quote]
But you would have been near me and the wife.

That is money enough.

Fletch I responded to your email and waiting your response.

39

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
Also want to add that it’s not useful to think of “GIS” as a “field”. It’s a tool.

Large scale map production shops outsource labor, typically to India. Lower level programming often gets outsourced as well.

The real meat of GIS is implementing the “S” part of GIS. It’s a system, a tool, that integrates with a business.

Again, think of an electric or gas utility. Engineers, analysts, and professionals use GIS as a tool to do their work. They are first engineers, or inspectors, or asset managers, (or IT people who got assigned to ‘do GIS’). They learn GIS and usually become versed in it.

You don’t apprentice in “hammer”, you apprentice in carpentry. GIS is a map hammer… (lol?)[/quote]

We have a winner. I think GIS jobs are a little harder to find than most people think. I know many folks with MS in GEOG that have a hard time finding work.

40

OP,

There should be piles of jobs in TX in environmental sciences. Have you looked into wetland delineation /mitigation in the houston area?