Graduate school provides advanced education and specialized training in a specific field. You can choose between two paths in earth and environmental science: a Master's degree or a Ph.D.

A Master's degree might be a great step to determine your next career moves! A Master’s program lasts 2-3 years and focuses on one project. It's ideal if you're not completely certain about your specific study area or if you're not planning to enter academia. From a career perspective, a Master's degree can open doors to various professional roles, such as environmental consultant, geoscientist, hydrologist, environmental policy analyst, GIS specialist, and sustainability coordinator. These positions are available in industry, government agencies, non-profits, and private consulting firms, offering a quicker path to employment and the flexibility to explore different areas within the field.

On the other hand, a Ph.D. is suitable for students with a Bachelor's or Master's who are certain about the field they want to specialize in for their career. A doctoral program usually takes around 5 years, but can range from 3 to 9 years depending on whether you already have a Master's and the scope of your project. A Ph.D. typically involves one main project with several smaller projects within it. This degree is generally required for academic careers and provides in-depth expertise in a specific area.

From a career perspective, a Ph.D. prepares you for advanced research positions, university faculty roles, and leadership positions in specialized areas of earth and environmental science. Specific career options include becoming a university professor, research scientist, principal investigator, senior environmental consultant, policy advisor, environmental program director, and roles in governmental and international organizations. Ph.D. holders can also pursue leadership roles in industry, such as chief scientist or director of research and development, where they lead innovative projects and drive advancements in their field.

The application process for graduate study can be time-consuming, stressful, and generally overwhelming. To mitigate this, a description of the various steps in the application process and explanations of the materials needed to demystify this process. 

How do you Contact Potential Advisors? 

Within earth and environmental science fields, when applying to graduate programs, you want to ensure you email potential advisors to learn about the programs, projects, and available funds to support you during your education. Typically, you want to look into potential advisors in the spring before applying and start contacting them during the summer. It is not uncommon for faculty to not respond during the summer because of fieldwork, research, or other activities, so be sure to email them again before you apply - typically before November. This can also be, occasionally, a hidden requirement for some programs or advisors, so doing this should be a priority for you. 

How to Research Potential Advisors: 

• Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests by reviewing department websites, recent publications, and their research profiles. Their contact information will be there, be sure to record it.

• Read some of their recent papers to understand their work and see how your interests align.

• Review their websites and reach out to some of their current or previous students.

How to Craft a Professional Email to Potential Advisors:

• Include a clear subject line that conveys the purpose of the email, such as “Prospective Graduate Student Interested in [Specific Research Area].”

• In the first paragraph, briefly introduce yourself, explain your educational and research background, explain why you're contacting them, and state how their research aligns with your interests and desire for graduate study.

• In the second paragraph, ask specific questions about their research, the program, and the potential for working with them as graduate students. Also, attach an up-to-date, reviewed, and proofread resume or CV they can review for more details.

• End with a polite closing, thanking them for their time and consideration. 

Achieving Letters of Recommendation 

Letters for graduate programs are one of the most important portions of your application packet. Many programs require three letters, but you can sometimes include up to five. Letters of recommendation can come from various sources, including faculty members, internship supervisors, employers, colleagues, volunteer coordinators, etc. 

Tips for letters of recommendation:

• Talk to the individuals you want to write your letters to well in advance; I recommend beginning this process at the same time you are contacting potential advisors. 

• A good letter of recommendation will come from someone who knows you and can provide specific examples of your work ethic, research abilities, skills, academic ability, etc. This is why you should provide your recommenders with your CV or resume and written statements for the program so they can tailor your letters for specific programs. 

• Communicate when your deadlines are. Asking for letters at the last minute may mean you'll have rushed recommendations or no letters at all. A good letter takes time, and being courteous will improve its quality.

Make a Schedule 

In many cases, you will apply to several programs with different deadlines and manage your personal, educational, and professional opportunities. Staying organized is the secret to submitting completed applications and managing stress. Everyone should make a schedule in the best format for them; for me, I added the deadlines to my calendar with reminders and organized a spreadsheet with the information needed for each program. 

Feel free to download the Graduate School Application Manager I used when applying to programs. 

Picking a Program 

Choosing the right graduate program is crucial for your academic and professional development, as it sets the foundation for your future career aspirations. The right program will provide the technical knowledge and research opportunities you need, as well as the support and resources necessary to thrive. Finding a community that promotes you and your research is equally important; a supportive environment fosters collaboration, mentorship, and networking, which are vital for your growth as a scientist. A strong community will encourage your intellectual curiosity, provide constructive feedback, and help you navigate the challenges of graduate school. Ultimately, the right program and community will empower you to achieve your goals, advance your field, and make meaningful contributions to earth and environmental science. 

How to pick a graduate program: 

• Assess Your Research Interests: Identify programs offering strong research opportunities in your area of interest. Look for faculty members whose work aligns with your goals and read their recent publications to ensure a good match.

• Evaluate Program Reputation and Resources: Consider the program's reputation, faculty expertise, research facilities, and available resources. Strong programs often have well-funded labs, cutting-edge technology, and access to extensive academic and professional networks.

• Consider Location and Lifestyle: Think about the geographical location of the program and how it fits with your lifestyle preferences. Consider the cost of living, climate, proximity to family and friends, and the overall culture of the area. If you can't see yourself staying there for an extended period, it may not be the best fit for you.

• Investigate Support Systems: Look into the support systems available to graduate students, such as mentoring programs, academic advising, mental health services, and professional development opportunities. A supportive environment is crucial for your success and well-being.

• Explore Financial Aspects: Analyze the financial aspects of the program, including tuition costs, availability of scholarships, assistantships, and stipends. Ensure that you understand the financial commitment and seek programs that offer adequate funding to support your studies.

• Connect with Current Students and Alumni: Reach out to current students and alumni to get their perspectives on the program. Their experiences can provide valuable insights into the program’s strengths and weaknesses, the department's culture, and the graduates' career outcomes.

• Geosciences Education & Mentorship Support: "GEMS provides mentorship support for undergraduate and early-stage graduate students in the geosciences. We believe that all students wishing to pursue an advanced degree should have access to resources and support. In order to address existing mentorship gaps, particularly for students from historically excluded groups in the geosciences and academia, we match students with faculty, postdoctoral, research staff and graduate student mentors. In addition, we hope to provide materials, webinars, and Q&A sessions on how to apply to graduate school. GEMS aims to increase the accessibility of graduate programs and funding for all students, which we recognize is only one component of a larger effort needed to diversify the geosciences."

• Graduate School Application Station: "The Graduate School Application Station Welcomes You! Your one stop shop for navigating the grad school application process. Welcome to the Graduate School Application Station! We are here to provide you with some tips and tricks for applying to graduate school in the Geosciences in the US. Click the “Application Timeline” tab above to get started."

• NASA Future Investigators In NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology: 3 years of funding 

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program: 3 years of funding (including tuition and fees)

• Ford Foundation Fellowship Program: 3 years of funding 

• AMS Graduate Fellowship: 1 year of funding

• NDSEG Graduate Fellowship Program: 3 years of funding

• Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship: Renewable funding for up to four years

• Space Grants and Fellowships: Most states have a Space Grant system that provides grants or 1-year fellowships to students

• Amelia Earhart Fellowship: 1 year of partial funding for women pursuing a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering and/or planetary science

• Graduate Women in Science National Fellowship Program: 1 year of partial funding for women identifying, gender-fluid, or non-binary students in STEM

• Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program: "The Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program creates a pathway for you to advance your PhD thesis research while working at a Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory, collaborating with world-class scientists, and using state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge scientific instrumentation. While maximizing the impact of your own research, you will also expand your professional network and develop new opportunities for your future."

• Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grants

• American Geophysical Union Student Grants

• Mineralogical Society of America Grant for Research in Mineralogy and Petrology, and Crystallography

  • Mineralogy and Petrology Award

  • Crystallography Award

• International Association of Geochemistry Research Grants for PhD Students

• Space Generation Advisory Council

• Association for Women Geoscientists GEOID Scholarship

• MAES Scholarship for Latinx/Hispanic researchers pursuing a higher education in STEM

• Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research

• The Editing Press Laura Bassi Scholarship for funding research publications

• Additional Earth Science Fellowship Opportunities

• GEOSCIENCE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK 

  • Student and Postdoc Funding Opportunities