Toggle navigation

SUNY Oswego - Career Services

What can I do with a major in geology?

Additional Navigation

SUNY Oswego - Career Services

View videos of professionals describing a day on the job

Department Page

Join a student organization today

Geology Club Go Green Team

Search for opportunities

Companies:
Paradigm Environmental Services
Plumley Engineering
Horizon Well Logging, LLC

Titles:
Staff Geologist
Environmental Analyst
Geotechnical Observer

Search for employers hiring graduates in your major

Employers in NY: 1,498
Employers in US: 32,865

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Resources
Areas

Energy (Coal, Oil, Gas, & Other Energy Sources)
Stratigraphy
Sedimentology
Structural Geology
Geophysics
Economic Geology
Geomorphology
Paleontology
Fossil Energy

Employers

Petroleum industry including oil and gas exploration, production, storage, and waste disposal facilities
Independent drilling companies
Federal government agencies such as:

  • Department of Energy 
  • Bureau of Land Management

State government
Private companies
Consulting firms
Equipment suppliers

Sample occupations

Geologists working in the area of energy use various methods to determine where energy sources are accumulated.
Because geologists often work closely with engineers, obtain some knowledge in engineering to aid communication.
Gain knowledge of 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: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, offshore sites, or overseas in 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.
In order to manage projects, obtain management and leadership experience.

Minerals
Areas

Mining Geology
Mineralogy
Geochemistry
Economic Geology
Paleontology
Stratigraphy
Sedimentology
Crystallography

Employers

Mining companies
Consulting firms
Federal government agencies such as:

  • Bureau of Mines 
  • Office of Surface Mining 
  • Bureau of Land Management 

Coal companies
Well services and drilling companies
Construction firms
Quarries
Railroad companies

Sample occupations

Geologists who are focused in the mineralogy or mining geology area are interested in locating the accumulations of minerals or metals within the earth's crust.
Become familiar with environmental regulations and government permit issues.
Mining geologists rely heavily on the computerized Geologic Block Model to learn about a mineral deposit, so computer literacy is essential.

Landscape
Areas

Environmental Geology
Sedimentology
Hydrology
Geomagnetism
Earth Surface Dynamics
Coastal & Marine Geology

Employers

Federal government agencies such as:

  • Environmental Protection Agency 
  • Forest Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers 
  • US Geological Survey
  • Bureau of Land Management 
  • Department of Defense
Sample occupations

Geologists in this category may focus on studying, protecting, and reclaiming the environment.
Obtain a great deal of lab experience.
Consider obtaining a double major in physics because of the geophysical nature of this concentration area.
Develop excellent written and public speaking skills.
Gain a thorough understanding of federal and state government guidelines for the management of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste.
Consider a law degree for work with land-use laws and legal matters.

Geographic Mapping
Areas
Employers

Federal government agencies such as:

  • US Geological Survey 
  • Department of Defense

Private companies

Sample occupations

Geologists interested in geologic mapping collect, process, analyze, translate, and disseminate earth-science information through geologic maps.
Obtain excellent computer and technical skills because much mapping is now digitized.
Gain experience in surveying through internships or academic opportunities.

Astrogeology & Space Sciences
Areas
Employers

Federal government agencies such as: National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA)
US Geological Survey

Sample occupations

Geologists involved in astrogeology may participate in processing and analyzing data from various missions to planetary bodies in our solar system, assisting in finding potential landing sites for exploration vehicles, mapping our neighboring planets and their moons, and conducting research to better understand the origins, evolutions, and geologic processes operating on these bodies.
Work in this area often requires many years of experience and developed research. A Ph.D. is often required.
Develop extraordinary analytical writing skills for grant writing and research.

Hazards
Areas

(Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslides, Floods)
Seismology
Tectonophysics
Geomagnetism
Global Seismic Networks

Employers

Federal government agencies including:

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
  • US Geological Survey 
  • Department of Defense

Private research groups and foundations

Sample occupations

Geologists involved in this area focus on the detection of hazards and the effects of hazards on the landscape.
Gain experience in technical mapping such as digital terrain modeling.
Consider an additional major in physics or take additional geophysics courses.
Gain some knowledge in engineering.
Develop presentation and writing skills.

Education
Areas

Teaching
Research
Administration

Employers

Elementary/secondary public or private schools
Colleges and universities
Museums

Sample occupations

Obtain certification/licensing for public school teaching.
Obtain Ph.D. for higher education teaching and/or advanced research and administrative positions.
Develop grant writing skills.
Become familiar with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

General information and strategies

  • 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, internship, and/or co-op experiences in different geological fields.
  • A bachelor's degree may be sufficient for entry-level industry positions.
  • A master's degree is often preferred for state survey work and advancement in industry and government.
  • Employment prospects are best for those with master's degrees, familiarity with advanced technologies such as computer modeling, and willingness to relocate.
  • Plan on completing a state exam to become a registered geologist.
  • Obtain experience in mapping and surveying. Develop skills with measuring equipment as well as laboratory equipment and processes.
  • Obtain a business background to help in managing projects and assessing economic costs and benefits.
  • Have a love of the outdoors, an interest in nature, and a desire to travel.
  • Join groups directed toward improvement of natural resources, environment, and pollution control.
  • Develop exceptional computer skills.
  • Join the student branch of the professional organization(s) related to interest area(s).
  • Learn a foreign language for work done in other countries.
  • Develop physical stamina to work and do research in remote areas under various conditions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
  • The ability to market your skills and write proposals is necessary to maintain steady work.
  • The ability to obtain grants may be necessary to continue a project.
  • Because geologists often work closely with engineers, obtain some knowledge in engineering to aid communication.