Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: Geologist_in_Training on 10/09/2009 15:07:06

Title: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: Geologist_in_Training on 10/09/2009 15:07:06

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and was wondering if you would share a little of your life knowledge with me.

I am currently pursuing my BS in Geology although I am a bit older than a college student and work a boring desk job.  The first time round, I was too scared to study geology because of all the math and chemistry involved but I quickly realized after graduation that life it too short to hate your job for the next 30+ years.  So I am finally going for it, enjoying it immensely and doing rather well.

My question is what are the possibilities of employment being a geologist?  I live in the New York City area and feel like the opportunities around here are kind of limited.  I am certain that I do not want to go the oil route and would want a position where I enjoy the work as opposed to making as much money as possible.  I would love to work for the USGS but I realize those positions are probably very limited and highly competitive.  I would also enjoy working in a lab (I am doing optical mineralogy at the moment and loving every minute of it).  So I am wondering, realistically, are there jobs out there and in a city environment?  Are there other areas I can look into that I probably have not thought of before.  Any advice? 

Amanda

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: frethack on 10/09/2009 19:33:44

There is also NOAA to consider.  Im in the same boat...working on a BS in Geology and older than the normal college student.  There are lots of moderately lucrative jobs outside of oil.

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: Bass on 11/09/2009 00:21:57

Environmental geology and hydrology are two fields good for employment.

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: JimBob on 11/09/2009 16:52:15

If you did well in hand specimens the mining geology might be for you.

Bass didn't mention that as he can't tell a sulfide from a telluride. But he became a mining geologist anyway.

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: gemlove on 09/10/2009 05:49:49

And although I am new to this forum and feel silly when I reply, I agree with employment in the mining industry. Especially in upstate New York there are many opportunities - dealing with both or either rocks and minerals. AND you won't be stuck in an office staring at a computer screen dealing with GIS headaches :(
Have you ever been to the Barton Garnet Mine near Gore Mt.? Absolutely incredible...

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: JimBob on 11/10/2009 16:46:16

Hey, I need a good GIS person. Want to apply, GL?

Title: Re: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: duncanfreer1 on 28/01/2010 13:58:47

When I was looking for a job I used: [LINK REMOVED]

[MOD EDIT] JUST TYPE IN "GEOLOGY JOBS" INTO YOUR SEARCH ENGINE - YAHOO, GOOGLE, ETC. -  AND YOU WILL GET ALL OF THE PUBLIC JOB SITES AVAILABLE.

Title: What employment opportunities does geology offer?
Post by: Don_1 on 29/01/2010 11:35:55

Take yourself down to Alabama, you get a free room, food & drink. You'll be working with rocks all day, every day. All you have to do to apply for this job is commit a crime! http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/29/us/alabama-to-make-prisoners-break-rocks.html?pagewanted=1 (http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/29/us/alabama-to-make-prisoners-break-rocks.html?pagewanted=1)