GEOLOGY …

                                                           GEOLOGY
                                                  What can I do with this degree?
                   AREAS                                         EMPLOYERS                                  DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
RESOURCES
Energy (Coal, Oil, Gas, & Other Energy Sources)   Petroleum industry including oil and gas exploration,   Geologists working in the area of energy use various
Stratigraphy                                         production, storage, and waste disposal facilities        methods to determine where energy sources are
Sedimentology                                     Independent drilling companies                                accumulated.
Structural Geology                                Federal government agencies such as:                    Because geologists often work closely with engineers,
Geophysics                                           Department of Energy                                      obtain some knowledge in engineering to aid
Economic Geology                                     Bureau of Land Management                                 communication.
Geomorphology                                     State government                                        Gain knowledge of computer modeling and Global
Paleontology                                      Private companies                                            Positioning System (GPS). Both are used to
Fossil Energy                                     Consulting firms                                             locate deposits.
                                                  Equipment suppliers                                     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
Mining Geology                                    Mining Companies                                        Geologists who are focused in the mineralogy or
Mineralogy                                        Consulting Firms                                            mining geology area are interested in locating
Geochemistry                                      Federal government agencies such as:                        the accumulations of minerals or metals within the
Economic Geology                                     Bureau of Mines                                          earth's crust.
Paleontology                                         Office of Surface Mining                             Become familiar with environmental regulations and
Stratigraphy                                         Bureau of Land Management                                government permit issues.
Sedimentology                                     Coal companies                                          Mining geologists rely heavily on the computerized
Crystallography                                   Well services and drilling companies                        Geologic Block Model to learn about a mineral
                                                  Construction firms                                          deposit, so computer literacy is essential.
                                                  Quarries
                                                  Railroad companies
(Geology, Page 2)


                    AREAS                        EMPLOYERS                       DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES

LANDSCAPE
Environmental Geology           Federal government agencies such as:           Geologists in this category may focus on studying,
Sedimentology                     Environmental Protection Agency                 protecting, and reclaiming the environment.
Hydrology                         Forest Service                               Obtain a great deal of lab experience.
Geomagnetism                      Army Corps of Engineers                      Consider obtaining a double major in physics because
Earth Surface Dynamics            US Geological Survey                            of the geophysical nature of this concentration
Coastal & Marine Geology          Bureau of Land Management                       area.
                                  Department of Defense                        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.



Geologic Mapping                Federal government agencies such as:           Geologists interested in geologic mapping collect,
                                   US Geological Survey                           process, analyze, translate, and disseminate
                                   Department of Defense                          earth-science information through geologic maps.
                                Private companies                              Obtain excellent computer and technical skills
                                                                                  because much mapping is now digitized.
                                                                               Gain experience in surveying through internships or
                                                                                  academic opportunities.



Astrogeology & Space Sciences   Federal government agencies such as:           Geologists involved in astrogeology may participate in
                                  National Aeronautics and Space Association      processing and analyzing data from various
                                      (NASA)                                      missions to planetary bodies in our solar system,
                                  US Geological Survey                            assisting in finding potential landing sites for
                                                                                  exploration vehicles, mapping our neighboring
                                                                                  planets and their moons, and conducting re
                                                                                  search 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 PhD is
                                                                                  often required.
                                                                               Develop extraordinary analytical writing skills for
                                                                                  grant writing and research.
(Geology, Page 3)


                    AREAS                                                      EMPLOYERS                                        DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
HAZARDS
(Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslides, Floods)               Federal government agencies including:                            Geologists involved in this area focus on the
Seismology                                                    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration                   detection of hazards and the effects of hazards
Tectonophysics                                                US Geological Survey                                              on the landscape.
Geomagnetism                                                  Department of Defense                                          Gain experience in technical mapping such as digital
Global Seismic Networks                                    Private research groups and foundations                              terrain modeling.
                                                                                                                             Consider an additional major in physics or take
                                                                                                                                additional geophysics courses.
                                                                                                                             Gain some knowledge in engineering.
                                                                                                                             Develop presentation and writing skills.
EDUCATION
Teaching                                                    Elementary/secondary public or private schools                   Obtain certification/licensing for public school
Research                                                    Colleges and universities                                           teaching.
Administration                                              Museums                                                          Obtain Ph.D. for higher eduction teaching and/or
                                                                                                                                advanced research and administrative positions.
                                                                                                                             Develop grant writing skills.
                                                                                                                             Become familiar with Geographic Information
                                                                                                                                Systems (GIS).
GENERAL INFORMATION
· 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 bacheolor's degree may be sufficient for entry-level industry positions.
·   A master's degree is often preferred for statesurvey 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 since work may often be done in other countries.
·   Develop physical stamina to work and do research in reomote 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.
                                  Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1995, Revised 2000, 2005 )
                                                                UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer