Hi Matt, I am sad to hear a biology department is against study abroad programs and independent research! That is simply wrong! I also agree it would be better/easier for a future career in Ecology/Wildlife Biology if you switch to a biology department (of Forestry and Natural Resources department) but clearly not at your current school. If for whatever reason you can't switch or don't want to switch, you could also take an entire semester abroad focused on biology and research to gain some basic knowledge and skills. CIEE offers a semester abroad program focused on tropical ecology, conservation, and specially research. The program includes, but is not limited to, stat lectures, group research projects, and an independent research project, with 4 weeks devoted to data collection.
We get students that major in Environmental Studies all the time. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.ciee.org/study-abroad/costa-rica/monteverde/tropical-ecology-conservation/ Johel. On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 4:36 PM, Matt Smetana <[email protected]> wrote: > Hey Everyone! > > My name is Matt Smetana, and I’m a current sophomore at Brandeis > University out near > Boston. I have been subscribed to this listserve for a few months and have > been > applying to various summer internships within the ecological/biological > field. I am certain > this is the career path I want to take but am unclear of the skill set > required to be > successful in this field. > > My current degree is Environmental Studies, but I am also highly > interested in Ecology, > Wildlife Biology, and Forestry. I am most drawn to internships and jobs > pertaining to the > biological field but enjoy my course work and have a real passion for the > environment. > My question is, can I become a successful ecologist or wildlife biologist > with a degree in > environmental studies or must I switch my major in order to obtain the > necessary skills > for the career that I want. > > My main concern with choosing biology is that it inhibits me from taking > many desired > courses, studying abroad at a School for Field Studies programs, > participating in > independent research opportunities, and possessing an internship this > summer (I would > need to enroll in Chemistry this summer). > > I will have already taken all of the requirements for the biology degree > such as the > introductory courses, biology lab, one semester of general chemistry and > lab, and all > required electives. But I have not finished general chemistry, organic > chemistry, or > physics. As ecologists, do you think it is more important to go for the > biology degree or > stay with environmental studies and gain experience through research, > study abroad, > and internships? > > Any input would be very helpful and could potentially change the course of > my future! > > Best, > Matt Smetana > -- _______________________ Johel Chaves-Campos, Ph.D. Instructor, Council on International Educational Exchange (ciee.org) Tropical Ecology and Conservation study abroad program in Monteverde, Costa Rica Office Phone number (506) 2645-5539 Other email address: [email protected] Website: http://johelchaves.weebly.com <http://johelchaves.weebly.com/index.html>
