How impractical is a major in anthropology?

Should I major in Marine Biology or Anthropology?

• I'm kind of juggling music, marine biology, and anthropology right now. I'm a senior in high school. I know I can take classes in college and then decide, but I don't want that answer. Because I'm considering a double major in music and one of the other choices, I don't want to waste time on too many exploratory classes. I want to know what I need to take. First of all, I love science, and social science. I want to contribute to the field of whatever I do. I want to discover or create something important. I want to learn. I want to do something exciting. I want to do something that helps, especially that helps the environment or something big and overall like that. I'm very very interested in cultures, genetics, languages & linguistics, archaeology, ruins, etc. But I'm also very interested in animals, the ocean, physics, especially DEEP ocean research, and the environment. I hate math, but I am good at it. I like to scuba dive. I know that no matter what I do, I will have to do the other as a hobby because I am so passionate about all three of those things. So I'm wondering, for which area is a degree more essential? Which one could I practice just on my own as a hobby? Which one has more job opportunities? I'm especially wondering, what can I do as an anthropologist? I know what I want to do with marine biology- deep sea/ underwater research and exploration and conservation. I know what I can do with linguistics... and to get a linguistics graduate degree I have to major in anthropology and not marine biology. But I don't know what I can do with anthropology. I really like that anthropology includes both SCIENCE, which I like (physical anthropology, etc.) and social science & language and stuff. I'm very good at languages and am interested in humans and behavior and reading etc. So what do you guys think? Input, thoughts, etc. I'd prefer it if you didn't just say "anthropology" or "marine biology". Give me something to think about. Give me explanations. Thank you.

• Answer:

  Nice problem to have. I can't speak for job opportunities, but in those terms, marine biology is probably the more limiting. It's narrow and hard to practice. That's why there's so little deep ocean research going on. I would not consider some study in both a waste of time. During your life, you might end up with a career in each. Consider having music be the minor. College is a good time to get the theory and a broad exposure to the entire history of music. You don't mention doing that as a profession, and you can have an immensely rewarding avocation in music without any formal education. Think of it as getting an education in forensics. As a scientist in either field, you will be studying and evaluating evidence, and working with prior research and other people to reach conclusions. You might be working with archaeologists by studying the lifeforms (often marine lifeforms) embedded in sediment layers, to figure out when the layer was deposited, and perhaps where. Do some general-audience reading in each field to get a better idea of what kind of work is going on now. Whatever choices you make, don't sap your time and energy with 'what if' regrets. Nowadays I occasionally think about how my life would have been different if I had stayed in physics instead of switching to electrical engineering (and then got hooked on computers). But I try not to dwell on it. I had fun, but not the same fun. I made accomplishments, but not the same accomplishments. UPDATE: If your geography permits, try to spend a week at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA, and its associated Research Institute. Arrange it in advance. Try to spend a day just viewing the exhibits in detail. Arrange to meet with people at the aquarium and the institute. Tell them your interests. They'll be able to help assess your abilities and interests, and give you an excellent idea what's going on in the field, and what job prospects might be when you get your degree(s). They could even help guide you to the most appropriate schools. But they'll do a sales job on you, convincing you there's no better field on earth (or under it), so try to keep a balanced perspective.