Forestry or Physics

[fencerowphil (Phil L.)]

Welcome, Glenn!

I have a twenty year old son who thought he wanted to go into computers.
He also put in the extra effort to co-study while in high school through the
local votech school in a special program in that area.  He worked in it some, too.

His real passion was developing along with computers :   Video work, video graphics
production, etc.  He discovered that by accident and began studying that on his
own, volunteering to do that sort of work at church, etc.

Now he is exploring that further in Atlanta.    Now the point of moving to Atlanta
was supposedly to go to Georgia State (college), but I think the work experience
he is getting (some of it in other countries) is probably getting him into his real
future work.  As others have said,  this passion will fuel some real effort in any
future college work he does.

My point is to agree with the thought...:

Try the work.  You might like it.  You might not.

Of course, there are other passions to drive a man:  Care for a wife (yes, a female, woman wife)
                                                                                and your children.
It's best to get the work passion set, first, then the wife and family, otherwise you may have
a bit less choice in such matters.  Looks like you have plenty of time to do that, huh?

[TW]

Hello Glenn

Back to your original question for a little moment.

To me you sound as the natural born engineer or civil engineer. Interrested in physics but not enough to go into it full time. Then you just have to find your branch of engineering.

About 10 years ago I was in your situation. I am 26 by now. We have a completely different school system and different job opportunities over here, but I think I may have something to add.

The questions I would ask myself in your situation are:
1Where is it easy to find a job. I think this question is well discussed here already.
2 To what degree do you have a brain intended for physics. In order to study physics you need a brain capable of thinking in advanced logical systems. A brain that learns math by understanding and not by brutal learning. If you have this ability only partly, like me, then choose something with more directly applied science. If you have 100 percent of that ability you should go as sceintific as you have opportunity to go.
3What can you afford to study?

And whatever you choose you can always keep outdoors as a hobby. Or read advanced physics in the evenings instead of watching TV. I know people with both hobbies.

Good luck

[Lanier_Lurker]

Glenn, since you seem "scientifically" inclined you should certainly include some physics or chemistry in your studies.  If not a double major with forestry, perhaps an identified *minor* in physics.

[fencerowphil (Phil L.)]

The pace of job market change today is hyper!

Even if you were entering a college major this fall in a promising field of study,
that would not guarantee that this will not have changed by the time
you spend your four or five or six years to complete the study program.

International effects are in place, too.  For example, excellent students in
India, etc.  are major competition in the area of computer programing.
This effect will probably increase in the future.

While this is very real, don't worry about it, Glenn.   Enjoy, as you explore your interests
and continue to evaluate your abilities.  There are some excellent ways to explore.  Try
"Career Direct."
http://www.careerdirectonline.org/

[SwampDonkey]

Maybe consider a Forest Engineering degree. There is introductory Physics, but mostly engineering with some forestry mixed in.

[GlennPagano]

Maybe consider a Forest Engineering degree. There is introductory Physics, but mostly engineering with some forestry mixed in.

I would love to do forestry engineering but I wish to stay close to home, philadelphia area. None of the colleges around this area have a forestry engineering program.