Good Career choices: Should I become a Geologist or an Electrician?

[V3n]

I've heard - You can get paid for what you do; or you can get paid for what you know.

I've always believed it is better to get paid for what you know. Your body will almost always wear out before your mind does.

Go Geologist if you have an interest in that field. It will take longer, but it's a better investment in your mind.

(this is my opinion only and I have nothing but respect for Electricians - if there are any here it would be great to hear from your experience)

[Louise]

Another thing to add in is I want to move to a warm climate (Australia, California/Florida). I'm tired of cold winters and get depressed at the lack of sun here in Canada. I know I could go where electricians are in huge demand (Australia) but that would take 4-5 years until I complete my training. Whereas in Geology, I could move there after I finish 2 years of school.

You seem to know yourself well. You've done the research. Is it possible to work in both fields? Get the apprenticeship and work there while going to grad school? Oh, and good that you are single while figuring this out. Best to you!

[Machiavelli]

IT

[Rifleman]

Be sure you can find work as a geologist. You can find work as an electrician many places.

[Kluge]

Personally, I'd go for electrician. Study geology on the side.

[Tod]

I know a retired geology professor. He retired several years ago at age 50, lives on an island next to a national park, owns a couple of fairly large boats along with his house (all paid for in cash), and has a hobby/business he enjoys that keeps him busy in the winter months.

Either trade/profession has good earning potential. Which one would you enjoy more and, to a lesser degree, do you want to live in a specific place?

[oyarde]

Take your best shot and decide . Electrician is a good job . Geology would be more fun . When I was young I was practical , I am old now and not so concerned , all of my kids are grown and out of school. Best of luck to you !

[Brian4Liberty]

Geology is less likely to be effected by a glut of cheap, imported labor.

[rpwi]

Not an expert on either industry... But with geology, you will probably get one of two jobs. You will probably be a professor or you will most probably work for the mining/oil industries. If you have ethical qualms about selling junk to people who don't need it, then you could have qualms with finding deposits/oils in areas in which the ground water table could be put at risk. Your job security will also be pretty dependent on the price of oil/natural resources which explains why geology is on the upswing now. You might watch the documentary Gasland as a sample of what you may experience.

If you are serious about geology, thoroughly investigate the placement data for graduates for your school and major. You may consider finding another school which has a stronger geology/industry integration and would make you more marketable when you get out of school.

I dabbled with the idea of a geology major when I was in school...but the placement data was awful...it very well could be that times have changed though. My vote would be for the apprenticeship.

[TheOraclePaul]

Not an expert on either industry... But with geology, you will probably get one of two jobs. You will probably be a professor or you will most probably work for the mining/oil industries. If you have ethical qualms about selling junk to people who don't need it, then you could have qualms with finding deposits/oils in areas in which the ground water table could be put at risk. Your job security will also be pretty dependent on the price of oil/natural resources which explains why geology is on the upswing now. You might watch the documentary Gasland as a sample of what you may experience.

If you are serious about geology, thoroughly investigate the placement data for graduates for your school and major. You may consider finding another school which has a stronger geology/industry integration and would make you more marketable when you get out of school.

I dabbled with the idea of a geology major when I was in school...but the placement data was awful...it very well could be that times have changed though. My vote would be for the apprenticeship.

The placement data is pretty good for MASTERS graduates. Undergrad, I think that there are a lot of them so it's much more difficult to find a job. I would be attending one of the top 5 geology schools in the country: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of California Berkeley...etc... All research I've done was geared towards job prospects after graduation, and those schools had the 1. highest starting salaries and 2. highest ratings for geology education. They are also schools where the big companies do most of their hirings.

I'm still as confused as ever though. It sucks because I think I would be a great wealth manager, but I don't want to deal with bureaucracy which is what the banks offer. I've been great at managing my own money (50$K in savings) despite only really working part time jobs and putting myself through university.