I Shouldn't be a Field Geologist
About a year ago, I moved to a different state to study geology in college. For the most art, I've loved it--I love rocks and maps, I made a lot of friends in our department.
But, I think I went into this major thinking I needed routine and predictability less than I do. In my first class, we traveled just about every week. Now, I'm working as an undergraduate research assistant, and I do field work about once a month, sometimes more.
But, field work always makes me anxious. At first I couldn't tell why, it wasn't that it was physically demanding, nor that I don't like being in the wilderness (for the most part, I do!). Rather, my problem was that field work disrupted my routines. At first I thought that this was a passing thing, that I'd get used to it in a few months. But I didn't, I slowly realized that this was an ingrained part of my character.
So, I should really find a career that lets me stay at the office most of the time. The amount of field work I do now isn't the end of the world, but much more would make me miserable. I don't think this means I have to switch majors--I don't want to give up the subject I love! But, I think it does mean I should focus on being a GIS guy instead of a field guy, which is just fine with me.