Hi everyone! I graduated B.A. Sociology, double majored with Health and Society (think public health) a minor in Law, Justice and Society (classics + criminal justice), and a certificate in forensic science (more crim. justice w/bio lab). And I was technically a Bio major my first 3 semesters - From UT Austin.
Post graduating I did a year working in a jail as a QMHP, believing I'd go down the Forensic Psych/LPC route, but recently learned I'm autistic/adhd and just got super burnt out from the constant masking/performance that comes with social services/serving people, Ive since resigned from that job :/.
I understand that practically every job has human contact and I do enjoy humans but for practical longevity I began looking into jobs that don't involve high direct contact hours in the day-to-day. And apparently Data Science/Data Analysis is big with the fellow neurodivergents since its procedural and pattern recognition, which I LOVE.
Simultaneously, this last year Ive grown to really love the earth and spend more time outside in general, adopting philosophies of humanism and the interconnectedness of nature and society, and how generally we'd be more happy if we reconnected to our local sense of community and self sustainability.
ALL THAT BEING SAID, I think what Im looking for is geospatial info/tech, GIS, understanding food systems and engineering(?), and I even thought of Environmental Policy bc I think that connects back to Sociology the easiest, or even Urban Planning. The pont is IDK.
I know Columbia made a new program called biodiversity analytics but theyre looking for working individuals already in the field, ready to implement their newfound knowledge. What programs, internships, volunteer work, online courses, etc. Would you recommend to me to familiarize myself better with this field/bulk my resume? Im currently trying to learn Python and R so as to give myself more foundational knowledge but I'm not sure if I should focus on something else first. Or should I just take the plunge and apply to a masters program? Im kinda broke but Im sure I can take out a loan. I was accepted into a post-bacc gis certificate penn state program but I declined enrollment since it was 3k/semester which I felt I could probably get the same Gis cert. credits as I did a MA/MS program so instead of doing them separately I should just do it at once and possibly save money that way🤷♀️, I was also juggling the idea of Peace Corps Sustainable Agriculture Promoter position at the time, but denied THAT bc I had to pay for medical exams upfront like dental x-rays and stuff 🤧 lowkey regret being so poor at that time bc I could be in Panama rn.
Or lowkey would yall recommend I not even look in this field? Like I love the earth and I think solarpunk and the incorporation of the Earths interests above capital is the only hopeful livable future I can hope to work towards, something thats motivating due to its urgency and novelty. And Im also inspired by indengenous communities and their agricultural practices like the Ahupua. But I see so many people struggling to find a job and I'm not sitting on a gold egg myself, so Im hoping the next administration(s) put more emphasis on the green industry and sustainable independent energy.
Any advice would help. I'm also considering the air force to pay for my masters and give me possible experience in intelligence systems/satellite/data whatever that means really 🦧
Okay sorry for the overwhelming amount of information which I'm sure was presented confusingly, but if you have any questions I'm an open book 😁