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re: What’s a good college degree for working outdoors?
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:49 am to RogerTheShrubber
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:49 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Biology. Get a job with an agency that deals with wildlife.
And hope there are a bunch of retirements soon, or be prepared to move.
In all seriousness, getting into the wildlife/natural resources field requires a few things.
First and foremost, a willingness to move. You may get lucky and be able to stay around Lafayette, OP, but don't count on it. I know people with the same degree as me that didn't want to move, and they don't even work in the field.
Second is a willingness to "settle" for something to get your foot in the door. It took me 10 years working professionally to finally land the job I wanted because I had to wait on guys to retire, or move halfway across the country. Again, if you're lucky, you may land your dream job right out of school, but I know very few people who managed that. And I hate some of them for it because I'm envious of their career...
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconLOL.gif)
Last but not least is working your arse off and making the right connections/impressions. I'm sure this applies to any field, but it's worth saying. As competitive as jobs are these days, anything you can do to separate yourself from the pack helps.
I love my job and the field I work in, as it is a true profession. But it takes work to get where you want to be.
You can work in the "environmental" field doing groundwater or air sampling/monitoring, or go be a field technician and not need a degree. But if you want to work as a "scientist", biologist, forester, etc., you need a degree, and the 3 things listed above.
As to your original question--there really is no "one size fits all" degree. You have to determine what you want to do, and then figure out what degree is going to get you there. In most cases, if you want to be a forester, nothing short of a forestry degree is going to get you there. But if you want to be a biologist, there's a much wider range of degrees that will get you qualified academically.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:52 am to Seen
Gender studies.
It's worthless, so you can end up working construction, landscaping/gardening, or wearing a character costume at a theme park.
It's worthless, so you can end up working construction, landscaping/gardening, or wearing a character costume at a theme park.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:56 am to weadjust
Depends on sunny vs cloudy. You can tolerate a higher temperature when it's overcast as opposed to the sun beating down on you.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:59 am to Cowboyfan89
Good info, appreciate the post
Posted on 12/11/22 at 8:11 am to Seen
Shrimp a Boat Captain, and if you’re god at it, maybe one day you’ll coach at LSU!
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:10 pm to Seen
Call a college or high school counselor. Or state dept of education. They would put you on the right track.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:13 pm to Seen
Farming. You’ll be outstanding in the field
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:24 pm to Seen
quote:
I was a paramedic for 10 years and have owned a lawn service
With this background you should know skilled blue collar workers can make a good living and eventually run their own business that makes them comfortable or wealthy.
Consider training to become an electrician, plumber, roofer, HVAC specialist, or builder. The people in those fields are older and will retire over the next couple decades. You will be able to earn six figures and will not be easily replaced by remote or overseas workers.
Your sons could also consider these types of professions.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 7:25 pm to Seen
I’m single, no kids and mid 30s. I alone could not imagine living on $40-60k. I literally could not live on that. I can’t imagine having a family on that.
ETA: I have a construction management degree. Depending on the type of construction, you could spend a lot of time outside and make $60-70k right out of college. LSU offers an online CM degree
ETA: I have a construction management degree. Depending on the type of construction, you could spend a lot of time outside and make $60-70k right out of college. LSU offers an online CM degree
This post was edited on 12/11/22 at 7:27 pm
Posted on 12/11/22 at 8:33 pm to jeffsdad
Maybe check out the local water districts. They have employees that do field (outdoor) maintenance and don’t think college education is required.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 8:39 pm to rowbear1922
quote:
I’m single, no kids and mid 30s. I alone could not imagine living on $40-60k. I literally could not live on that. I can’t imagine having a family on that.
Wife makes about the same as I do. 2 kids are grown although one is autistic and lives with us, youngest is 16. Have 3 kids
My 20 y/o is autistic and he does work, just not quite in position to live on his own. He pays for his own stuff and also his food in the house
This post was edited on 12/11/22 at 8:41 pm
Posted on 12/11/22 at 8:42 pm to Seen
I mean I have two guys in my office that make $40-$50k as a side hustle as realtors selling land. Maybe try that.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 9:07 pm to Seen
Try agriculture. The guys who sell fertilizer, pesticide, and other products to farmers can make six figures a year. The mechanics who repair farm equipment make good money too.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 9:14 pm to Seen
Welding
Fitting
Industrial painting
Vessel cleaning
NDT certs
Etc…
Fitting
Industrial painting
Vessel cleaning
NDT certs
Etc…
Posted on 12/11/22 at 9:52 pm to Seen
I’m guessing that scaling a 50-60k/year lawn service to a 100-110k/year company would be better than going to college at age 40.
If you only make 50-60i/year, then you just own a job, not a business.
Expand into pressure washing, windows,gutter cleaning, etc.
If you only make 50-60i/year, then you just own a job, not a business.
Expand into pressure washing, windows,gutter cleaning, etc.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 9:57 pm to Seen
Talked to a park ranger at Petit Jean state park in Arkansas. Not sure the requirements here, but he said in Arkansas they just had to have a bachelors degree in anything to be a park ranger. His was okay history and he was pretty knowledgeable of history of the park (obviously), but more so than I expected.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 10:01 pm to Seen
Get on with a Survey company. Both of my nephews are doing that, one has a degree and one doesn't.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 10:07 pm to momentoftruth87
Construction management, civil engineering
Posted on 12/11/22 at 10:12 pm to rowbear1922
quote:
I’m single, no kids and mid 30s. I alone could not imagine living on $40-60k. I literally could not live on that.
Sounds like you have a money management problem, baw
Posted on 12/11/22 at 10:41 pm to greenbean
quote:
At age 40 and with a spotty academic record, Those first two would be tough.
Depends on his other obligations, i.e. wife, kids, bills,etc. I partied my way out of LSU. Went back at 38 on full scholly while married with a 1 & 4 yo. Graduated in CE. Best decision I’ve ever made. Tough? Good. Everything that’s worth pursuing is tough.
This post was edited on 12/11/22 at 10:42 pm
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