BoomhauerTX

Hey folks. First of all, I realize this is a forum for graduate students, and a lowly undergrad like myself probably shouldn't be posting here. I admit, I didn't read the full Terms of Use to see exactly what the rules are Please, by all means, point me in the direction of a more appropriate forum if necessary. I couldn't find another Geology/Earth Science forum myself, but then again, my Googling skills aren't all that great. Basically, I am a sophomore at a new, small 4 year institution near Atlanta. The majors are very limited at my school, and I have really taken to my science courses, and I think I would like to pursue Geology. Unfortunately, my school doesn't offer it, and Georgia State and UGA are the only schools nearby who do. Transferring schools and changing majors is a big decision, however. To be honest, I don't really knowmuch about the field. I have read a good bit on the internet, such as at http://geology.com/articles/what-is-geology.shtml, but I don't know anyone personally to talk to about working as a geologist. Working as a scientist, outdoors, taking samples of the Earth, analyzing in the lab, etc, etc sounds fascinating, but I think I may have a jaded "popular" view of what a geologist does. From the reading I have done on blogs and such, it seems to all be about oil and gas. I have contacted the Geology Departments at UGA and GSU, but they have both told me, in very polite and well worded emails, not to bother them until I have been accepted into the school. So much for visiting the department and checking out what it is really like. I don't blame them, as I am sure they are extremely busy and doing important work, but it just disheartens me to think that I would have to apply to a new school, claim the major, and then learn about it. Anyhow, I am sorry to bother yall grad students with my trivial problems. I just don't know where else to turn. Feel free to point me in the right direction and give me the boot until I am myself a grad student, if necessary