I'm loosing hope of things ever getting better. [warning, long]

Geology is a great subject but not great career-wise, at least making big money. That might seem absurd, but what most people end up doing is logging (analysing core samples), seismic and other remote measuring techniques. The romantic notion of studying sediments in the field or collecting fossils is confined to academic/teaching roles. Otherwise you've usually got to be something else, mostly good with computers, but not necessarily fun use of computers.

It follows that, even if you cannot finish the degree it sounds like you've done a lot of learning into the subject and you are keen enough to collect specimens and books.

Geology does attract amateurs. So you could get involved with a local geology/natural history society, go on field trips with them, attend lectures. Granted there is a social side which will be difficult, but fanaticism and a good head for detail and facts can compensate for lack of social skills in a hobby that attracts nerds, geeks and obsessives.

It is also worth contacting the geology department of a local university, who may allow the public to take part in some field trips, and may allow some access to specimens. Also local museums are glad of volunteer geologists.

Getting involved with amateur geology will give you networks - contacts and connections you can use to find jobs. There are lots of things you can do with a geology interest if you don't mind lesser pay. There are jobs for people cataloguing rock collections (so many museum collections where the labels have fallen off!), geology technicians - preparation of specimens, petrology - often used by archaeologists to identify stone age tools. I could go on and on.... if you press me.

I taught geology to undergraduates. I like particularly teaching examination of hand specimens and geology microscope work, and most of my teaching was on palaeoenvironments - identifying the climate and other environments at the time the rocks were laid down, and the behaviour patterns of the fossilsed creatures.

Point I'm making is you've got a way in to loads of geology opportunities. Some of them wont pay you anything, but might sustain a life on support. But there are plenty of lesser jobs that don't pay as well as graduates might like. Also the skills you use in geology can be read across into other areas - archaeology I've mentioned, other branches of environmental science such as geomorphology and hazard management. Then there is land management and development studies where an understanding of geology, soils and climate helps to explain the constraints.....

To do this though you've got to decide to break out of the social phobia trap. You will have to countenance coping in some social infrastructure. The thing to remember about geology is there are loads of other people whom, for various reasons, aren't so socially skilled, so autism isn't necessarily that big a handicap.

Geology is a great subject but not great career-wise, at least making big money. That might seem absurd, but what most people end up doing is logging (analysing core samples), seismic and other remote measuring techniques. The romantic notion of studying sediments in the field or collecting fossils is confined to academic/teaching roles. Otherwise you've usually got to be something else, mostly good with computers, but not necessarily fun use of computers.

It follows that, even if you cannot finish the degree it sounds like you've done a lot of learning into the subject and you are keen enough to collect specimens and books.

Geology does attract amateurs. So you could get involved with a local geology/natural history society, go on field trips with them, attend lectures. Granted there is a social side which will be difficult, but fanaticism and a good head for detail and facts can compensate for lack of social skills in a hobby that attracts nerds, geeks and obsessives.

It is also worth contacting the geology department of a local university, who may allow the public to take part in some field trips, and may allow some access to specimens. Also local museums are glad of volunteer geologists.

Getting involved with amateur geology will give you networks - contacts and connections you can use to find jobs. There are lots of things you can do with a geology interest if you don't mind lesser pay. There are jobs for people cataloguing rock collections (so many museum collections where the labels have fallen off!), geology technicians - preparation of specimens, petrology - often used by archaeologists to identify stone age tools. I could go on and on.... if you press me.

I taught geology to undergraduates. I like particularly teaching examination of hand specimens and geology microscope work, and most of my teaching was on palaeoenvironments - identifying the climate and other environments at the time the rocks were laid down, and the behaviour patterns of the fossilsed creatures.

Point I'm making is you've got a way in to loads of geology opportunities. Some of them wont pay you anything, but might sustain a life on support. But there are plenty of lesser jobs that don't pay as well as graduates might like. Also the skills you use in geology can be read across into other areas - archaeology I've mentioned, other branches of environmental science such as geomorphology and hazard management. Then there is land management and development studies where an understanding of geology, soils and climate helps to explain the constraints.....

To do this though you've got to decide to break out of the social phobia trap. You will have to countenance coping in some social infrastructure. The thing to remember about geology is there are loads of other people whom, for various reasons, aren't so socially skilled, so autism isn't necessarily that big a handicap.