u/Dismal-Mix-6661

High school junior has been interested in fish biology for years, attended two short natural resources career camps at a state university and now it’s time to start exploring college. He went back and forth about ecology based engineering but is likely headed towards fishery biology. Wants to do field work, and is taking zoology and AP stats this year which will help determine whether he enjoys that more or less than physics/calc. Any recommendations for schools we should check out? He’s more freshwater focused and we are in the Midwest and prefer not to be too far from home.

My elderly mother is afraid to fly alone, she hasn’t left the continental in 30 years. We brought her to Hawaii for her birthday. We could not purchase all three tickets together bc of the ridiculous companion pass rules, however, I called months before our flight and had them “synced” so I could manage her flight. Our flight *to return home leaves in 14 hours and 1) I receive an error when trying to check her in that she needs additional verification and must check in at the airport 2) now her flight doesn’t even show on my delta app 3) hold time to speak to a rep is an hour. My concern is that they will move her seat. Question- do I waste an hour of our last precious day in Hawaii trying to talk to someone or do I just deal with it at the airport?

We love Vero Beach. The calm soothing sounds of the ocean, the relaxed vibe inside the building common areas and the puzzle tables. This trip we had two mildly irritating experiences. First someone was on a work video call in the game room. Talking very loudly for well over an hour. The last thing I want to hear when I get a five day respite from work is work calls. Then on the back patio relaxing in the rocking chairs listening to the ocean as the sun sets and someone comes out and does a work call, loudly, had to hear the dreaded, “Dominic, you’re on mute.” Maybe I work too much that these worked my nerves so badly but if you want to take a work call do it from your room! The rest of us are trying NOT to think about work. Maybe I’m just too sensitive to this —

My 16 yr old is torn between heading down a geological engineer path or an ecology path. What does the average ecologist do all day at work? Not the 5% top performer that lands the super rare coolest job. Any perspectives or suggestions welcome - He is outside as much as possible, loves chemistry, has done DNR camps through local university (loved them), and does animal husbandry through 4-H. They are offering a GIS class through his school but he said it looks a little boring.