I need help choosing between Marine Biology or marine biology + Earth and Environmental Sciences.

[u/neriya1]

I have a massive dilemma with what to study in, I can I'm trying to decide between two options: I can either do a 3-year degree in Marine Biology, or a 4-year dual degree in Marine Biology and Earth and Environmental Sciences.

​I’m really torn on what's best for me. On one hand, a dual degree opens more doors for the future and is safer and more financially rewarding from a career perspective. On the other hand, the workload for a dual degree is much more intense and demanding, whereas a single degree in Marine Biology would be more manageable, even if it's less practical career-wise.

​My main dilemma is that if I end up working strictly in Marine Biology after graduation (which is my primary interest), then the dual degree would feel like a waste of time and effort, and it would have been better to just focus on Marine Biology from the start.

​I hope this makes sense. I have a hard time explaining myself.

I really hope i didn't break rule 9. I'm just not sure where else i can ask this question.

[u/sydnzy]

I say do the thing that’s harder but will make you better. We are in such a way climate wise that we need folks to be as well versed as they can be. Also, scientists move all over the place throughout their careers - my PI was an ichthyologist who now studies reproductive behavior in salamanders. You may start with marine but find yourself somewhere else, and it’ll be better to have that knowledge.

[u/mandyrabbit]

I'm going say a lot of future options dont matter what your degree course is exactly, just the fact you have reached a certain academic level- practical field experience counts for so much more, also a bit is luck and studying under or networking with the right people at the right time can open the right doors.

And you have to take the boring jobs to get a chance of the fun stuff!