Bryan Asked:
My name is Bryan and I'm almost 19. I'm heading into college and I am seriously considering paleontology as a career. I need some advise on how I would go about getting a degree and where a good field school is in the US. So any help and/or advise you could give would be great, thanks.
When you get to college, take lots of Biology and Geology. In Biology, concentrate on anatomy and other "whole organism" classes. In Geology, take courses on sediments and stratigraphy.For a list of good schools with programs, go to http://www.vertpaleo.org, the home site for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP). You can also find links to other sites that deal with Paleobotany and Invertebrate Paleontology if you decide bones are not your cup of tea. One of the best ways to prepare for a career is to attend one of the meetings of the SVP. You will be able to meet most of the professional paleontologists there, and also talk to graduate students to get their perspective. My first meeting was one of the best learning experiences of my life.
Good luck!
MB-S