I have a degree in biology. Super fun degree, mostly women in the classes...all around I had a great time. However, with just a biology degree I had a bit of an issue finding employment. I was looking pretty hard when the economy wasn't at a high point, but I eventually gave up and I am back in university now doing yet another degree as well.
I don't regret it, I find biology very interesting and fun, but part of me wonders about doing a more practical (in the finding a job sense) degree the first time round. Hopefully this second one is a bit better!
The Following User Says Thank You to Cain For This Useful Post:
I really think it should boil down to how you analyze the opportunity costs. Basically, is the time spent worth the income lost? If you are really into it, then absolutely go for it. So many people go through post-secondary just because they think it is "something they have to do," instead of pursuing what they really love.
I imagine you are in the latter group, and university is probably the place for you.
I also have a bio degree. I worked in genetics for a year before I went back to school and became a lawyer. I now do a lot of personal injury cases where I use my bio background all the time. You'd also be suprised at how similar scientific and legal writing skills are.
As for which specialty: the thing with biology is that you have to be really passionate about what you are doing to enjoy it. The money isn't great (well not at first anyways), and the work will be a huge drag if you are not enjoying it as it can be repetitive. So without that infusion of imagination that comes with passion, you will end up torturing yourself.
Take a variety of bio courses and find out what you like most. If it's field work go into ecology or marine/vertebrate biology of some kind. Some people prefer social policy type stuff, in which case a masters in a field like pathogens is probably the way to go. Other people really like the lab and conceptual work, in which case genetics might be the way to go.
The bad news is you will probably require a post grad degree to get a decent job in a specialized field. The good news is that get paid to do a masters in the field of biology (not a lot, but a usually enough to squeak by).
But in all seriousness, guess that means you're not staying in Reykjavik. Did Iceland finally drink you under the table?
Oh this was a old bump lol.
I'm still in Iceland, in fact I made a couple of big decisions when thinking about going back to school. One was to sell my house, drop everything and move back home to Iceland; I have a big family and I was the last one living in Calgary as everyone else moved back here.
The next was to be somewhat practical about my education; I LOVE science and wanted to go back and get a degree in biology. However after speaking to a few friends in the field, I decided to continue doing what I have been these last 5 years, reading a science book a month at least. But I did change my careerpath 180, left sales/marketing and went to do something I've always loved, working as a computer guy
Since coming back to Iceland 1 year ago I have garnered a whole slew of Microsoft and Cisco certifications, something that I've immensely enjoyed and done extremely well at. I've always been great with computers but for some reason I never went that route in University when I was younger. As a mid 30's student I'm LOVING being back in school.
I haven't been this happy about my line of work in a long time, now its just to get a new job and continue the certifications with work, since thats they key in this industry, experience and knowledge.
I'm still in Iceland, in fact I made a couple of big decisions when thinking about going back to school. One was to sell my house, drop everything and move back home to Iceland; I have a big family and I was the last one living in Calgary as everyone else moved back here.
The next was to be somewhat practical about my education; I LOVE science and wanted to go back and get a degree in biology. However after speaking to a few friends in the field, I decided to continue doing what I have been these last 5 years, reading a science book a month at least. But I did change my careerpath 180, left sales/marketing and went to do something I've always loved, working as a computer guy
Since coming back to Iceland 1 year ago I have garnered a whole slew of Microsoft and Cisco certifications, something that I've immensely enjoyed and done extremely well at. I've always been great with computers but for some reason I never went that route in University when I was younger. As a mid 30's student I'm LOVING being back in school.
I haven't been this happy about my line of work in a long time, now its just to get a new job and continue the certifications with work, since thats they key in this industry, experience and knowledge.
Heh. Guess I should really look at the dates on posts, huh.
Well, you certainly can't complain about where you live. Reykjavik is one of the best cities in the world (in my completely unbiased opinion).
I'm still in Iceland, in fact I made a couple of big decisions when thinking about going back to school. One was to sell my house, drop everything and move back home to Iceland; I have a big family and I was the last one living in Calgary as everyone else moved back here.
The next was to be somewhat practical about my education; I LOVE science and wanted to go back and get a degree in biology. However after speaking to a few friends in the field, I decided to continue doing what I have been these last 5 years, reading a science book a month at least. But I did change my careerpath 180, left sales/marketing and went to do something I've always loved, working as a computer guy
Since coming back to Iceland 1 year ago I have garnered a whole slew of Microsoft and Cisco certifications, something that I've immensely enjoyed and done extremely well at. I've always been great with computers but for some reason I never went that route in University when I was younger. As a mid 30's student I'm LOVING being back in school.
I haven't been this happy about my line of work in a long time, now its just to get a new job and continue the certifications with work, since thats they key in this industry, experience and knowledge.
Clearly you're really into Science and Technology. I'm sure that you already know these things, but for others who are interested:
1) Check out your local University or College or Tech. institute. They always host public seminars on many interesting and relevant issues. You just have to put in a little effort to get included on the newsletters. I find people complain a lot about the UofC and UofA (primarily undergrads it seems) but both of these schools are quite well known in research circles.
2) Typically, there are off-shoot organizations that get together and host forums at pubs and what not. In Calgary, we have the Science cafe once in a while at the Unicorn (at least it was at the Unicorn the last time I went).
I honestly don't know what the situation is like in Iceland, but Reyjkjavik is a pretty progressive place and I would be shocked if you couldn't find some general interest science events in town.
The Following User Says Thank You to Kybosh For This Useful Post:
One good option these days is online degrees/diplomas. I wouldn't try to do an entire bachelor's degree online (I'm not sure that's even an option yet at reputable universities), but for after-degrees, advanced diplomas, or continuing education they're a great option. You need to be fairly motivated and self-directed to do it that way, but a well-designed online course from a decent university can be every bit as good as a traditional lecture-based course and it's a lot easier to fit a program like that around a job and family.
I have a degree in biology. However, with just a biology degree I had a bit of an issue finding employment. I was looking pretty hard when the economy wasn't at a high point, but I eventually gave up and I am back in university now doing yet another degree as well.
I don't regret it, I find biology very interesting and fun, but part of me wonders about doing a more practical (in the finding a job sense) degree the first time round. Hopefully this second one is a bit better!
Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
I also have a bio degree. I worked in genetics for a year before I went back to school and became a lawyer. I now do a lot of personal injury cases where I use my bio background all the time. You'd also be suprised at how similar scientific and legal writing skills are.
he bad news is you will probably require a post grad degree to get a decent job in a specialized field. The good news is that get paid to do a masters in the field of biology (not a lot, but a usually enough to squeak by).
I agree with these posts as it dove tails with my experience.
I have a degree in biology. Turned into a PhD in neuropharmacology. Great for a scientist, but I did not want to work in a lab all my life.
So I did a MBA and - holy cow - career opportunities opened up like crazy.
Now I work for a hedge fund in NYC that specializes in investing in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Utilizes my academic background and the compensation is very good.
But it did not come cheap - I spent 10 years in university (4 for BSc + 5 for PhD + 1 for MBA).
I agree with these posts as it dove tails with my experience.
I have a degree in biology. Turned into a PhD in neuropharmacology. Great for a scientist, but I did not want to work in a lab all my life.
So I did a MBA and - holy cow - career opportunities opened up like crazy.
Now I work for a hedge fund in NYC that specializes in investing in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Utilizes my academic background and the compensation is very good.
But it did not come cheap - I spent 10 years in university (4 for BSc + 5 for PhD + 1 for MBA).
Testify. You and I sound eerily similar, the only difference is I haven't done an MBA (yet) and, despite some potentials, I wasn't especially excited about picking up and moving to NYC.
I'm about to join this group as well. I'm turning 33 this year and am going back to uni as a full-time student in June. I've already got a BA and an M.Ed but I'm going back to school to get my MBA. I'll be spending a month in Beijing, nine months in Hong Kong and then another four months back in Shanghai. It'll be the first time I've been a full-time student since finishing my undergrad and I expect I'll be spending the nine months in Hong Kong living in a dorm again and only seeing my wife on a monthly basis as one of us will be flying back and forth between HK and Shanghai.
Despite the inconvenience of being away from home and giving up a full-time income, I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be very strange leaving my current work and life, but at the same time I can't wait to be back in an environment where I'm being taught and learning a tonne of new information while being challenged to compete intellectually.
Mostly, it feels fun to be going on an adventure again. Whatever it brings, I'm fairly sure it's going to be a fun experience.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
The Following User Says Thank You to JohnnyB For This Useful Post:
I'm about to join this group as well. I'm turning 33 this year and am going back to uni as a full-time student in June. I've already got a BA and an M.Ed but I'm going back to school to get my MBA. I'll be spending a month in Beijing, nine months in Hong Kong and then another four months back in Shanghai. It'll be the first time I've been a full-time student since finishing my undergrad and I expect I'll be spending the nine months in Hong Kong living in a dorm again and only seeing my wife on a monthly basis as one of us will be flying back and forth between HK and Shanghai.
Despite the inconvenience of being away from home and giving up a full-time income, I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be very strange leaving my current work and life, but at the same time I can't wait to be back in an environment where I'm being taught and learning a tonne of new information while being challenged to compete intellectually.
Mostly, it feels fun to be going on an adventure again. Whatever it brings, I'm fairly sure it's going to be a fun experience.
Man. I re-read this entire thread to get to ONE new post. Although a bit of a let down, no offence Johnny, I did get to reminisce about Dess and Moon. That made it worth it.
The Following User Says Thank You to Titan For This Useful Post:
I'm gonna do this too. Got a specialized oil and gas degree in an abysmal market. Thinking accounting, finance or law. Probably accounting then try to get in an industry I have passion about because every industry needs accountants.
I'm old as balls like you guys, just turned 30, focusing on health is huge. It keeps me positive and motivated.
I'm old as balls like you guys, just turned 30, focusing on health is huge. It keeps me positive and motivated.
Don't let anyone tell you you're old as balls when going back to school. It's all about the decades ahead of you and your future in those. You're actually doing what many will say they're too old to do now but know that it's the best thing for their own futures.
