southwhale

Hi guys, I just joined this forum so hopefully this is in the right section! I would appreciate any help/advice; sorry for the length! I'm planning on applying to masters programs in conservation biology/conservation policy this coming fall. I would ultimately like to work in the field of wildlife conservation, and do not have plans to continue to a PhD program. I'm finishing up my junior year at a well-ranked university and I think I've done pretty well. I will probably have around a 3.8 when I apply, and am double majoring in Neuroscience and Spanish. That's where I start to worry, because neither of these majors directly relate to my intended field. I have taken several biology classes, but do schools like to see applicants with a related undergraduate major? Also, what worries me more is the lack of direction in my work experience. I've been lucky to have the opportunity to gain a lot of research experience in my undergraduate career. I worked for a year in a biopsychology lab, a year in a cognitive neuroscience lab researching memory, and now I currently work in a microbial ecology lab. Over the summers I also work in an industrial analytical chemistry lab and have experience working within different areas of that lab as well. I feel like I have been lucky to acquire so many different laboratory skills, but I'm worried about the fact that it doesn't really relate to what I want to pursue. My decision to pursue conservation biology was kind of a late one, and was kind of based on a couple classes, as well as the realization that I don't want to do research as a career. Will it be looked down upon that I have this experience in a research setting, but I don't intend to apply in in a masters program? Thank you for your help!