Sedimentology
Stratigraphy
Structural geology
Economic geology
Geochemistry
Geomorphology
Geophysics
Hydrogeology
Fossil energy
Paleontology
Petroleum industry including oil and gas exploration, production, storage, and waste disposal facilities
Coal industry including mining exploration, grade assessment, and waste disposal
Federal government agencies:
Bureau of Land Management
Department of Energy
National Labs
U.S. Geological Survey
Consulting firms
Oil field machinery and supply companies
State government agencies
Well services and drilling companies
Geologists working in the area of energy use various methods to determine where energy sources are accumulated. They may pursue work tasks including exploration, well site operations, and mudlogging.
Seek knowledge in engineering to aid communication, as geologists often work closely with engineers. Coursework in geophysics is also advantageous for this field.
Gain experience with computer modeling and Global Positioning System (GPS). Both are used to locate deposits.
Many geologists in this area of expertise work with oil and gas and may work in the geographic areas where deposits are found including offshore sites and in overseas oil-producing countries.
This industry is subject to fluctuations, so be prepared to work on a contract basis.
Develop excellent writing skills to publish reports and to solicit grants from government, industry, and private foundations.
Obtain leadership experience through campus organizations and work experiences for project management positions.
Remediation
Liability
Audit
Compliance
Sustainability
Federal government agencies:
Army Corps of Engineers
Bureau of Land Management
Department of Defense
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Forest Service
National Labs
U.S. Geological Survey
Environmental consulting firms
Mines
Public utilities companies
State highway departments
Civil engineering firms
Land use planning agencies
Surveying companies
Water testing labs
Scientists in this category may focus on studying, protecting, and reclaiming the environment.
Obtain lab experience through coursework, research with professors, and internship programs related to environmental science.
Consider additional environmental courses in other departments to complement this concentration.
Develop excellent written and speaking skills, particularly for interest in public policy.
Gain a thorough understanding of federal and state government guidelines for the management of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Investigate certification programs for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER).
Consider earning a law or policy master’s degree for work with land-use laws and legal matters.
Stratigraphy
Structural geology
Remote sensing
Sedimentology
Geophysics
Federal government agencies:
Department of Defense
U.S. Geological Survey
Private companies
Geologists interested in geologic mapping collect, process, analyze, translate, and disseminate earth-science information through geologic maps.
Pursue experience reading maps and interpreting data sources including geological surveys and satellite images.
Learn about surveying through part-time jobs, internships, or academic opportunities.
Develop attention to detail and excellent technical skills to utilize geologic and spatial mapping programs.
Gain experience with modeling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Engineering geology
Geomorphology
Seismology
Volcanology
Geologic engineering
Civil engineering
Environmental geology
Structural geology
Federal government agencies:
Department of Defense
Department of Interior
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Geological Survey
Private research groups and foundations
Consulting firms
Geologists in this area focus on the detection of hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, and tsunamis, and the effects of these hazards on the landscape.
Gain experience in technical mapping such as digital terrain modeling; a high degree of computer skills is expected.
Consider an additional major or minor in physics, geophysics, and/or engineering; knowledge of engineering is essential.
Develop excellent writing and presentation skills and be willing to travel to conduct research.
Prepare to work with teams of scientists and other staff in the field for extended periods.
Research Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam requirements, as this is typically the first step in becoming a Professional Engineer (PE).
PE licensing guidelines vary by state. Check with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for links to state boards.
Obtain Ph.D. for research and administrative opportunities.
Engineering
Mineralogy
Mining
Economic geology
Geochemistry
Paleontology
Crystallography
Sedimentology
Stratigraphy
Consulting firms
Geological exploration firms
Mining companies
Federal government agencies:
Bureau of Land Management
Office of Surface Mining
U.S. Geological Survey
Railroad companies
Well services and drilling companies
Geologists who study mineralogy or mining geology area are interested in locating the accumulations of minerals or metals within the earth’s crust. They may pursue work tasks including exploration, well site operations, mine design, reclamation and groundwater management.
Become familiar with environmental regulations and government permit issues.
Consider specializing in a particular mineral or metal to build an area of expertise.
Secure experience in the field through part-time positions and internships.
Seek opportunities to develop strong technical skills, as mining geologists rely heavily on computerized models to learn about mineral deposits.
Geomorphology
Remote sensing
Mineralogy
Petrology
Geochemistry
Federal government agencies:
National Labs
National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA)
U.S. Geological Survey
Geologists involved in planetary sciences may participate in processing and analyzing data from various missions to bodies in our solar system, assisting in finding potential landing sites for exploration vehicles, mapping neighboring planets and their moons, and conducting research to better understand the origins, evolutions and geologic processes operating on these bodies.
Explore opportunities for undergraduate research.
Work in this area is limited and requires many years of experience and developed research. A Ph.D. is often required.
Take additional coursework in physics to specialize in planetary sciences.
Pursue internships in national labs with space programs such as the Ames Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Johnson Space Center.
Seek experience with remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies.
Develop extraordinary analytical writing skills for grant writing and research.
Research
Teaching
Elementary/secondary public or private schools
Colleges and universities
Museums
Explore opportunities for undergraduate research.
Develop strong communication skills, both oral and written.
Seek volunteer or paid experiences, such as camp counselor or tutor, with target age group.
Obtain certification/licensing for public school teaching, which varies by state. Acquire multiple certifications for increased employability in secondary education.
Complete a master’s degree for community college teaching.
Pursue Ph.D. for college/university teaching and research. Grant writing skills are essential in academia.
A bachelor’s degree is good background for pursuing technical graduate degrees as well as professional degrees in business administration, medicine, or law.
Within the many facets of geology, there is often overlap of job functions. However, many geologists find advantage in becoming more specialized.
Gaining experience is very important, and there are many opportunities for students to obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, field camp, internship, and/or co-op experiences in various geological areas.
Possess a love of the outdoors, an interest in nature, and a desire to travel.
Develop physical stamina to work and conduct research in remote areas under various conditions.
A bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for entry-level industry positions.
A master’s degree is often preferred for state survey work, oil industry, and for advancement in the field.
Employment prospects are best for those with master’s degrees, familiarity with advanced technologies such as computer modeling, and willingness to relocate.
Maintain a high GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations for admittance to graduate school.
Research licensure and certification laws by state for pursuing registered geologist credential.
Obtain experience in mapping and surveying. Develop skills with measuring equipment as well as laboratory equipment and processes.
Acquire a business background to help in managing projects and assessing economic costs and benefits.
Join groups directed toward improvement of natural resources, environment, and pollution control including professional organizations related to interest area(s).
Develop exceptional computer skills.
Learn a foreign language for work in other countries.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. The ability to market your skills and write proposals is necessary to maintain steady work. Grants may be necessary to start and continue projects.