# Choose Your Future Path

Part of the Mammal Study Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/mammal-study/guide/index.md)

*7. Careers & Hobbies*

> **7.** Do ONE of the following:

This final requirement asks you to look ahead. You will choose exactly one path: explore a career connected to Mammal Study or explore a hobby or healthy lifestyle that uses the same skills.

## Your Options

- **[Req 7a — Mammal-Related Careers](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/mammal-study/guide/req7a/)**: Research one career, including training, education, costs, job duties, salary, job prospects, and advancement. This option helps you see how mammal knowledge becomes real work.
- **[Req 7b — Hobbies and Healthy Living](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/mammal-study/guide/req7b/)**: Research a hobby or healthy lifestyle that uses mammal-study skills, along with training, costs, organizations, and personal goals. This option helps you imagine how the badge can shape your life outside of school or work.

## How to Choose

**Career or Hobby?** — Pick the path that gives you the most honest conversation with your counselor

- [ ] **Choose 7a** if you want to learn how professionals use mammal knowledge on the job.
- [ ] **Choose 7b** if you would rather build a hobby, volunteer role, or outdoor lifestyle around these skills.
- [ ] **Best gain from 7a:** You learn how education, pay, and job duties fit together in the real world.
- [ ] **Best gain from 7b:** You learn how to turn this badge into a lasting personal interest or healthy habit.

> **Tip**
>
> If you already know you love the outdoors but are unsure about a career, option 7b may lead to clearer long-term goals. If you are curious how people actually get paid to study or manage mammals, option 7a is the better fit.

Start with the career option page first. Even if you choose the hobby path, it helps to see what professional mammal work can look like.

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