Animal behavioral science

[suztor]

I'm thinking of going back to school. I'm currently 25 a graphic designer and have over 5 years of working experience, but i don't feel its,my calling. I feel like i'm wasting my life away.

like many of you I can spend hrs watching my salamanders, fish or dogs. When I was a kid and even now I rather snoop around tide pools than play in the water or sun tan (I glow in the dark actually)

I'm not sure what I want to do but animal biology, animal behaviour animal psychology all sound very interesting to me.

What do you guys know about these 'careers' (I know they are general concepts/fields) any input would be nice. Whether you work in the field or know a lot about it.

I feel its time I took proper charge of my life ,to make me happy!


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[Molch]

Hi Suztor,
the best way would probably to get a general biology undergrad degree and then do a grad project in a field that interests you, such as behavior. I've always believed that if you follow your passions and work diligently at it, you will eventually end up in a place that you like.

 

[Azhael]

Yeah, the problem being that working diligently at it part.....:S
As Molch says, you´d have to start out with a general biology degree then specialize. Ethology is a fascinating field, indeed.
My advice is don´t get disappointed if the degree is not what you expected. My experience is that it can really suck all your enthusiasm out if you are of a zoological persuasion. You have to find your own stuff to remain enthusiastic about it, they are not going to provide you with the fun part. Well, at least that´s the case here...

 

[suztor]

Thanks guys! Is there anything i should look at as in does it matter where your degree comes from? What is a sign of a bad or weak program?

And my biggest fear that kept me out of going into biology (in middle school i was dead set on being a marine biologist) in the first place... Math how much is it and to what level? Math has always been my crippling factor but i'm going to try and conquer it, to some extent

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[Azhael]

I feel your pain, i´m terrible at math too. There´s good news and bad news. The good news is that there´s not much math involved, it´s usually only in the first year and it´s not particularly complicated. With a bit of an effort you can get through it. The bad news is that the bit of math that persists throughout the whole thing is statistics. Those are important and those are HELL! At least for me they are, i get cold sweat just thinking about them... Mind you, it´s mostly informatized and in the end all you need to know is how to use a computer program rather than math.

 

[Green frog]

Yeah don't get your degree over the interenet for $25 ... those ones are often a bit sus

I'm 25 and have started a zoology degree this year. Only have to do one or maybe two maths papers over here. Obviously depends on the degree and papers you choose. Maths and stats are good skills to have as a scientist.

I'm loving it so far. There's heaps of options here, from certificates, diplomas, degrees etc.

I still haven't made up my mind on the exact path I would like to take. Just easing into it, seeing how I find it, nothing to lose. If it turns out a degree is too much I can just do enough papers to get a science certificate and walk away, then come back in the future and complete the degree if I wish.

Options options options :bowl:

 

[hdonahue]

I'm have one year left for my Bachelors in Science for Environmental Science, Minor in Biology and certificate in Conservation and Biodiversity.

I love it! Except for Calculus...Thank Goodness I only have to take Calc 1 it goes up to 3...YUCK!

All the other posters are correct you gotta get you broad degree then find your niche, if you will.

Most of the student at my school have had problems with not finding work and just going back to grad school piling more debt trying to wait for the wreck of a thing we call our economy.

If you feel you are not meeting your calling you should definently check your options. You have to do your homework and look at schools ratings MAKE SURE THEY ARE ACCREDITED.

I almost got into Optometry...an eye doctor:yawn: but after shadowing my own doctor I was like "You know I would much rather play outside and record data then say which is better one or two all day..."

4 years can drag you down but I find that once I got into actual upper bio classes I was fascinated and it just rejuvinated my spirits!roud:

I know a great school for environmental/biological fields is University of Illinois...I want to do my grad school there. I'm currently as Saint Louis University in Missouri. A wonderful school with fantastic programs!

I think you should totally check your options if you feel like your a void in your life. There are career counslers avaiable just for this kind of stuff too.