Careers
Related Skills
- Works with people of varied backgrounds and can work individually
- Ability to research and lead projects
- Good team member
- Strong math and computer skills
- Ability to rationalize and have good quantitative skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Reads, writes, speaks, and memorizes proficiently
- 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.
- Conducts and clearly explains scientific research
- Possesses knowledge of geological principles and mathematics
- Understands and uses information derived from computers
- Experience in mapping and surveying. Develop skills with measuring equipment as well as laboratory equipment and processes.
- Loves the outdoors, interested in nature, and has a desire to travel.
- Join groups directed toward improvement of natural resources, environment, and pollution control.
- Possesses the physical stamina required to work and do research in remote areas under various conditions.
Being Successful in the Field
- 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 studentsto obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, and/or co-op experiencesin 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 advancementin industry and government. Employment prospects are best for those with master's degrees, familiaritywith advanced technologies such as computer modeling, and willingness to relocate.
- Plan on completing a state exam to become a registered geologist.
- Obtain a business background to help in managing projects and assessing economiccosts and benefits.
- Join the student branch of the professional organization(s) related to interestarea(s).
- Learn a foreign language since work may often be done in other countries.
Related Fields
Resources
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, andwaste 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
Strategies
- 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.
Name
- 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
Strategies
- 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 - 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
Strategies
- 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.
Geologic Mapping
Employers
- Federal government agencies such as: US Geological Survey, Department of Defense
- Private companies
Strategies
- 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 and Space Sciences
Employers
Federal government agencies such as: National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA), US Geological Survey
Strategies
- Geologists involved in astro geology 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
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
Strategies
- 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
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
Employers
- Elementary/secondary public or private schools
- Colleges and universities
- Museums
Strategies
- 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).
Other Professions
- Aerial Photographer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Cartographer
- Consultant
- Cooperative Extension Agent
- Economic Geologist
- Engineering Geologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Geochemist
- Geochronologist
- Geographer
- Geologist
- Geomorphologist
- Geophysical Exploration Geologist
- Geophysicist Technician
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Glacial Geologist
- Hydrogeologist
- Instrumentation Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Landscaper/Nursery Manager
- Marine Advisor
- Marine Geologist
- Materials Analyst
- Meteorologist
- Mining Engineer
- Oceanographer
- Park Naturalist
- Park Ranger
- Petroleum Engineer
- Pollution Control Specialist
- Project Manager
- Prospector
- Scientific Photographer
- Seismologist
- Soil Scientist, Agriculture
- Stratigrapher
- Surveyor
- Teacher, Science
- Technical Writer/Communicator
- Urban/Regional Planner
- Volcanologist
- Waste Disposal Specialist
- Well Logging Specialist
Career Industry Liaison
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olanna Pullen | 223 Bone Student Center | olpulle@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-2200 |
Internship Coordinator
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Meister | Felmley Hall of Science 203 | pameist@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-7479 |