posted July 19, 2006 02:40 PM         

I'm a third-decanate Scorpio with a Libra Moon... so everything I read says I should go into law. Add the name Justin (justice) and it becomes even more suggestive that I go into law. But while I love waxing ethical, political, and on the matters of finer jurisprudence... unfortunately I have no desire to "work with people".

Largely, I can't stand people. I like being left alone to work on solitary projects.

I like the sciences. But as much as I dislike social work, I dislike the physical confines of a laboratory.

Physics has always been my strongest science. Sydney Omarr suggests the career of "aerodynamacist" for Scorps, and then add my Air Moon, and it sounds hopeful. I've been entertaining the idea of going into aircraft engineering. My uncle (a Scorpio) is a very successful helicopter engineer, and my half-brother repairs jet engines for American Airlines.

Currently I'm a Chemistry major, and if I stick with it, I feel myself veering towards pre-Pharm, but like I said: I don't know if I can handle being stuck in some white-walled lab for too long. Many references suggest Pharmaceuticals/Psychiatry for Scorpio. But I've chosen a variety of science electives that would assist me in any science field, if I were to change my major.

These are my *current* interests-
-Aircraft/Mechanical Engineering (of the sciences, physics comes the easiest to me)
-Pharmaceuticals (drugs and chemicals fascinate me)
-Botany/Horticulture, including breeding, alternative fuels, and alternative medicines. (I LOVE the beautiful simplicity of plants, and working outdoors, getting my hands in the dirt and feeling the sun on my back.)(Maybe due to Earth-Envy, as I only have one Earth placement- Cap Mars).

Any help? Thanks!!

My placements-
Sun- Scorp- 4th
Moon- Libra- 3rd
Merc- Scorp- 4th
Venus- Scorp- 4th
Mars- Cap- 5th/6th
Jupiter- Scorp- 4th
Saturn- Libra- 3rd/4th
Uranus- Sag- 4th
Neptune- Sag- 5th
Pluto- Libra- 3rd/4th
ASC-Leo

posted July 19, 2006 05:53 PM         

I would supplement that Chemistry (if you do go into forensic science) with a heavy dose of Biology (molecular is your best when researching DNA and the human genome).

Chemistry will still get you through the door quicker than a bio-major, but doing both makes you an ace in the hole. Trying to get into forensics without a Masters in either Molecular bio or Forensic Science (John Jay is excellent) is impossible.

Scorp is about uncovering, discovering and exposing. If you find yourself in forensic DNA analysis and you study under someone brilliant like my ex-hubby, you can be in the lab, then build a lab, run the whole department and be the only blood spatter expert in the Mid Atlantic.

~Pidaua

BA Biology and Chemistry (I spent most of my career in bioterrorism, running a diagnostic lab - microbiology and serology- and in biotechnology research)

posted July 20, 2006 01:28 PM         

Serology is the study of antigens and antibodies. In early forensics, before the real fun stuff with DNA and the "short tandem repeat" teachnology that allowed criminalists to match a suspect sample to the scene, they relied on serology. Blood typing is a form of serology as is determining a a semen sample came from a secretor or non secretor (another antigen type of reaction).

Serology is also used in basic diagnostics. When I had to test for pathogenic viruses and rather than spending $800 per DNA amplification test, I would run a serology test to determine if the sample had viral antibodies. The antigen is labeled with a color (I am simplfying it a bit) and when the antibodies in the blood bind with the antigent a color is produced.

Running a lab and doing research is rewarding, but it is also TEDIUS... and I mean to the 10th degree. In biotech I spent 6 months, 7 days a week 15 hours a day research and testing samples for the presence of lead in order to determine if our product had successfully removed the lead from the blood. (chelation). There are almost no days off in research because YOU have to be there to take blood, run equipment etc.... Sometimes, if you work for Merck or even on the Genome project you have research assistants. They normally make sure the equipment is running, the solutions are calibrated and all the lab ware has been washed.

Working for a large company means starting from the labware washer (like a dishwasher) and slowly working your way up to research- EVEN if you have a PhD. One has to still prove themselves and Science is cut-throat (WATCH your school projects with an eagle eye because people will try to sabatogue your work- I learned the hard way).

In a smaller company you have more leeway in the lab and can actually come up with your own projects - BUT all the bases have to be covered.

For example, I wanted to look at the antimicrobial selection process of our product. I had to design the project, determine potential outcomes, run a complete budget (costs includes time, overhead, supplies..etc) I had to have an exit strategy in case the project looked like it would fail, then I had to determine what, if any, benefits the company and mankind would receive from such a project.

Sounds easy.. but it's not and then the project must be pitched to my colleagues and before the Board (that represents the shareholders) .....

Those pharmaceutical company commercials are NOT kidding when they talk about developing a drug for 10 years and spending 100 million doing it. Those projects take hundreds of people, specialists and lots of money in order to test every potential outcome and run every test imaginable. I will never regret my time spent in the lab or on projects, but after 8 years of it, I was happy to get back into the real world.

Some sciences are cut and dry. One microbiologist I worked with spent 20 years just running tests using diagnostic lab machines, another used her degree to test water samples from various supplies for almost 15 years. Some involve solving crime or determining what pathogen is present and killing someone.

posted July 20, 2006 06:52 PM         

Like lala said, you probably have a Taurus MC, which is a great musical indicator. Scorpios are drawn to music naturally to begin with, so that's another good indicator. You've got an artistically communicative Libra Moon. You've got a Leo Ascendant, which is creatively demonstrative. You've also got the dreamy Neptune in the creative 5th house along with your earthy Mars.

posted July 21, 2006 01:22 AM         

Music is great, I know I have talent and a fresh sound, but everyone plays an instrument and they believe they have what it takes to get somewhere with it, and very few ever succeed. Success in the Arts is disastrously dependant on luck. I've always had terrible luck.

The Sciences sound like I need to sell my soul to succeed. But I'm now knee deep in Chemistry, and I feel the need to see how far I can take it. But, yeah, at least it seems like I'll have plenty of options.

Yup, Taurus MC at 00.29'

posted July 21, 2006 01:41 AM         

How about working in the outdoors doing research? From what you've written, you love nature. There are research field teams that go to indigenous, isolated regions to learn about their medicinal practices, sometimes to a shaman. You'd get to see Mother Nature in all her splendor, unravel mysteries, put your science degree to work, and an opportunity to pursue your own solitary, intellectual work.

posted July 22, 2006 01:12 PM         

Kidding

posted July 22, 2006 03:28 PM         

Medical research is not all confined to white walls.
Genetics, and Neuro science are two areas I think will be very hot in the next decade.

Im waiting for one of you (younger than me) super stars to grow a transplantable organ in a jar.

Spend some time and read about what is going on in science. Talk to people. You would be suprised how the busy powerful person will stop to share what they know when asked.

BTW we share the same name, and im a healer.

posted July 24, 2006 04:52 PM         

That is why scientist have editors. English teachers read our work and we provide the break throughs that save the world... even if we can spell world

Scorpionic Web,

You are right about everyone wanting to be a musician and only a few succeeding. I cringe every time someone says to give up a career to chase smoke when they have no idea that bills beckon or they have no idea if the person has talent. That doesn't mean one should give it up though... just focus on it during the off hours. I have friends that worked and pursued the arts at the same time. Some succeed in both some on only one

I wouldn't give up on chemistry because there are other things one can do as Aphrodite pointed out. You can get into archeaology (carbon dating remains) or use your degree to pursue work in the field such as in the parks services.

posted July 24, 2006 11:56 PM         

He also said I should sign up for as many internships as I can handle over the coming years, as they'll often give a much needed edge over the competition. I know that is common sense, but its really good to hear it from people who have been through it all.

A Scorpio Sun/Cap Moon buddy actually just got a really nice job for the national park service. He is certain he could get me a sweet job working for the gov't if I went to him in a few years with a Chem Bachelors. But I may consider shooting higher... we'll see...

posted July 25, 2006 06:14 PM         

BTW, your friend is right about the internships. It does two things, it not only gives you a leg up over competition, because it proves you spent time DOING the job versus just studying for it, but it also gives you the chance to find what you want to do and what makes you happy.

I discovered that for a while I loved the peace and solitude in the lab- I just hated being alone ALL the time and having to be QUIET all the time. I enjoyed working with animals as an ER vet tech, I just didn't like dealing with owners or the heartbreak of using animals in Vet school. I loved being in the ag business with our product and teaching ranchers how to use it - but travelling all over the US 3 weeks out of a month was hard....

Every step has taken me to a new place and a new experience. I now write and administer grants and serve as the director of our educational svc agency for my county. Over the next 3 years we will be introducing Science standards on the AIMS tests and therefore I will need to work on a team to teach new methods to teachers

My Science and writing background is what gave me a leg up over other grant applicants because I spent time "doing" and not just studying