less-than-3.0 too :(

It's not that I can't find a job , I was offered two: one from Aflac and the other from 1st Investors. I didn't take them because they wanted me to drive my own car to people's homes and small business to sell insurance policies and get them sign up for mutual funds. All commission based, no base salary, and no gas and car insurance stipend. I graduated with a BA in Environ. Studies and a double minor in Econ and Asian Languages. I feel that I can do better........ I would enlist in starfleet if it only it were real

Hey is anyone here in the Environmental Systems graduate group at UC Merced? I'm interested in the program and would like to talk with someone on the inside. So if you're out there (I know you are.) Feel free to comment. I'd really appreciate it! To give you a better idea, I just finished my undergrad at HWS in environmental studies, double minoring in economics and Asian studies. I would like to pursue a MS/MA then PhD. in Geography and came across the Merced Environ. Systems page which seemed intriguing.

Ok I haven't been posting for a long while. I've just spent an entire summer job hunting and having interviews to no avail. And I am seriously considering taking a Kaplan or Princeton Review GRE classroom course. I've also been constantly checking out websites of the grad schools that I would like to apply to. Turns out I think I may have a decent chance of getting into USF. I also have had plenty of time to think about my sub 3.0 GPA and realized it's a B- average. (2.73) and I feel a little better now but perhaps all the anxiety of graduation has worn off. Job hunting sucks and I still haven't gotten hired. I'm thinking of possibly trying to get in somewhere for spring '10. How is everyone else doing?

Ok I'm taking my last final today: microeconomics. Then I've got a week off before I start a 4 week summer course at Binghamton University, then I'm officially done as an undergrad. Will begin practice for the GRE, word memorization and math practice. Starting the apps, bugging my profs. for letters of recommendation. What are a few common books that first year grad geographers read? You guys are really helpful btw.

Right, got it. Thanks.

So I guess there is hope and I'm not doomed with my cumulative 2.75. Although the other day I calculated my last 4 semesters and it was hovering around a hypothetical 3.0. So I need to bust the GRE and then find something to do for a year after I graduate while I wait for the apps. Anyone here going into or doing geography? But yes I used cringe every time someone complained about their 3.5 or 3.8. What are grad school's take on learning disabilities? I certainly have some which could explain the sub 3.0 GPA.

Is there such thing as applied human geography?

I'm getting a better idea now of what I want to do. I want to do applied human geography and remote sensing. (Is there such thing?) As soon as the semester is out, I'm going to retake the GREs and start my apps. as well as start applying to gov't census jobs or some related field that I can apply to geography. I did not mention one thing before. I was diagnosed with some learning disabilities a few years ago: dyscalculia and attention deficit disorder. (I probably should have ditched economics from the beginning however by the time I needed a disciplinary minor I had already completed 2 courses and it was easier to finish the econ then start a new disciplinary minor. I already had an interdisciplinary minor in Asian studies and was nearly done with my interdisciplinary major in Environmental studies.) I had a meeting with my school's center for teaching and learning center where they recommended that I be re-evaluated by a neuro-psych to get official extra time on the GREs. They also said I was ill-advised from the start, but I think that's partially my fault. My question to everyone here is do you have or know of anyone with learning disabilities in a graduate program? What are some grad school policies regarding learning disabilities?

Any of you in geography do any remote sensing? I've been reading up about it and it sounds really interesting.

The "why questions" is just so that I can come back and discuss with them on how to construct a good SOP. But yes I see what you mean. I really don't want to become a research slave for someone else. Thanks for the advice.

I got to chat with 2 of my environmental studies/geography profs. today and they helped me define some goals. One is from Brazil and specializes in Amazon spatial analysis and South American economics while the other is a China expert and specializes in water quality. Both of these guys are my favorite profs. Unfortunately They weren't hired at HWS until I was a Junior. They gave me 3 paths that I could follow: -Become a Prof. and stay in Academia, "publish or perish" especially at research universities. Look into geography, sustainable development: environmental studies, water, agriculture and development. -Go into Gov't: USGS, NOAA, USAID/state dept. -Private sector: ESRI, Consulting etc. Then they asked me to figure out for myself why geography is a good fit? (vs. what I've done so far.) And that I should plan on having about 2-3 pages of "why?" questions. My current GIS prof. (the guy from Brazil) recommended that I try and find a graduate prof. at a graduate school who is currently studying South East Asia who might be looking for a native Thai speaker. Don't know how difficult I will be to actually do that but hey it's worth a try at least. My Geography prof. (China expert) asked me hypothetically what's wrong with what I already have with my BA and I told him that I felt that it hasn't really answered all my questions or given the feeling of having figured something inside and out. With my econ background coupled with my environmental studies, I've learned that markets work in theory but they are not very personal. When it comes down to the real world, geography plays a huge part in how entire economies function. Lately I've been reading about the Solow growth function and how infrastructure and technology go hand in hand to the development of an economy. I think I'm going off on a tangent here but I see direct connections between human productivity and their surroundings. Significance of place I feel is very important to people on a personal level. I was also told to look into institutions that are outside of the U.S. Namely NUS or National University of Singapore. (Not really a big move for me since I spent most of my childhood there.)

Thanks people, you're all making me feel better. Lately I've been really burned out and under a lot of stress. I guess I'm going to keep posting my progress.

Thank you so much! I'm so glad I found this website. Yes, I need to figure out what it is I want out of a degree. I know that I want to at least be able to research. At the same time though I'm not sure about staying in academia or going for the private sector. I guess a priority would be to work for the highest pay. Not suggesting that money is my prime motivator but it does help with deal with a dose of reality. One of the things I was deciding a year ago was what could be my highest potential if I stayed in school 2 years for an MA or 5 for the PhD? What are my options just having a BA (which I found out a few weeks ago isn't too promising as a traveling life insurance salesman jeez.....) I would like a good balance between being able to afford to live as well as be happy doing what I like. If I can find that happy medium, well I would be very satisfied.

I am also very interested in the development of south east Asia. (That's why I studied abroad in Vietnam and minored in Asian studies.) Particularly the countries that share the banks of the Mekong River: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. How they have developed since the second world war. Why they are still considered third world countries, and what programs are being conducted to improve the standards of living in those countries.

I think I would be comfortable working for any of those provided that I find something meaningful that I can support myself with. I don't know if I'd make a good teacher, but then I've never really tried to teach anyone but myself. With the little research I've done, I enjoyed doing it. I'm somewhat independent and like working on my own but it's good to get outside opinions and help when needed. I have a part time position offered by a sustainability non-profit hopefully starting this summer.