Career Opportunities
Related Career Titles
Related Major Skills
Career Planning Links

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Geological Sciences (Geology) majors learn basic concepts and facts about the composition, structure and history of the earth. They also receive training in current laboratory skills. Geologists analyze earth components, including rock formations, minerals, volcanoes, fossils, sediments, subsurface layers, glaciers and more. They search for and develop natural resources, including groundwater, minerals, petroleum, coal, and gas. Geologists use remote sensing satellite data and advanced image processing to map various types of habitat and vegetation; to monitor urban sprawl; to study ocean variables such as currents, chlorophyll concentrations, temperature, wave heights, and surface winds; to study coastal regions, monitoring erosion and sediment transport, as well as mapping vegetation; and to monitor damage from natural hazards such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Geologists use seismographic instruments and drilling to study subsurface earth layers and use seismometers to measure earthquake intensity and locations. They use instruments to study the earth's gravity and magnetic field. They conduct geological surveys and construct field maps. Geologists work in construction projects, particularly dams and tunnels. They are also in great demand as environmental scientists, working in various positions to preserve and clean up the environment, as well as in geological-specific jobs such as assessing environmental impact in mining and excavating. Hydrogeology is a high-demand subspecialty in geology involving studying and managing various aspects of groundwater.

According to Earth Science World:  Do you find the prospect of working on a wide range of Earth-related issues, from resource management to environmental protection exciting? Do you enjoy working outdoors? Travel? Do you enjoy puzzle solving and working across scales, using details to solve wider problems? Then the geosciences may be an interesting career path to investigate.

• The scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the earth.
• The structure of a specific region of the earth's crust.
• The scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the solid matter of a celestial body.

For more information, visit CSU's Geology Department's website

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RELATED CAREER TITLES

• Aerial Photographer
• Geomorphologist
• National Park Service
• Agricultural Engineer
• Geophysicist
• Oceanographer
• Architect
• Geophysics Technician
• Paleoceanographer
• Astronomer
• Geo-Technical Engineer
• Paleoclimatologist
• Cartographer
• Glacial Geologist

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RELATED MAJOR SKILLS

Geology majors need skills in the following areas: Investigation, Communication, Computation
and Technical. 

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CAREER PLANNING LINKS

• Jobs in Geosciences http://www.westga.edu/geology/web_htm/faqs.html#Jobs
• Occupational Outlook Handbook - Geologists & Geophysicists http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos050.htm
• Outdoor Action Guide to Outdoor/Environmental Careers http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/careeroe.html
• Careers in  the Geosciences
  http://www.earth.uwaterloo.ca/services/geoscience/careers.html
• Careers in Geology (Money magazine) http://www.uwrf.edu/~wc01/GeoJobs.html
• Review.com - career planning information http://www.princetonreview.com/cte
• Careers in the Geosciences http://www.agiweb.org/
• Geology Careers http://www.westga.edu/~geology/web_htm/career.html

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