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Home , Mining geology

What can I do with this degree?

AREAS EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES

PETROLEUM GEOLOGY Petroleum industry including oil and gas Petroleum use aerial photographs, field- exploration, production, storage and waste work, and other data to understand and determine disposal facilities where oil or gas is accumulated. Independent drilling companies Most petroleum geologists work where oil and gas are Federal government agencies such as: found: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Department of Energy offshore sites, or overseas in oil-producing coun- State government tries. Private entrepreneurial companies Because geologists often work closely with engineers, Universities and colleges obtain some knowledge in engineering to aid Consulting firms communication. Equipment suppliers Gain knowledge of computer modeling and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Both are used to locate oil and gas deposits. This industry is subject to fluctuations, so be prepared to work on a contract basis. MINING GEOLOGY Federal government agencies such as: Mining geologists locate accumulations of or Bureau of Mines metals, called deposits, and determine the Paleontology Office of Surface Mining best ways to develop the ore. Stratigraphy State government Mining geologists rely heavily on the computerized Sedimentology Oil and gas industry Geological Block Model to learn about a Coal companies deposit, so computer literacy is essential. Mining companies Become familiar with environmental regulations and Well services and drilling companies government permit issues. Construction firms Quarries Railroad companies Universities and colleges Museums (Geology, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY Sedimentology Large and small consulting or engineering firms Environmental geologists focus on studying, protect- Stratigraphy providing services for: ing, and reclaiming the environment. For ex- -high tech, oil, gas, mining and other industries ample, they may locate safe sites for hazardous Geochemistry -federal, state and local government waste facilities, try to preserve water supplies, or -utility companies work in risk assessment to predict natural disas- -law firms ters. -developers Get a great deal of lab experience. Federal government agencies such as: Develop public speaking skills in order to present Environmental Protection Agency findings. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Develop excellent writing skills in order to prepare State government reports and proposals. Construction companies Develop leadership and organizational skills in order Trucking firms to manage projects. Universities and colleges 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.

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY Petrology Mining companies Economic geologists focus on the study of mineral Consulting firms deposits, exploration for new resources, develop- Federal governement agencies such as: ment and mining of all non-hydrocarbon ore Bureau of Land Management deposits, and environmentally-safe disposal of Bureau of Reclamation waste materials from mining activities. State government Learn about policy issues at both the federal and Universities and colleges state government levels. Obtain management and leadership experience in order to head up projects. Develop excellent writing skills to publish reports and to solicit grants from government, industry, and private foundations. (Geology, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES

EDUCATION Elementary/secondary public or private schools Obtain certification/licensing for public school Teaching Colleges and universities teaching. Research Private research companies Obtain Ph.D. for higher education teaching and/or Administration National laboratories advanced research and administrative positions. Develop grant writing skills. Become familiar with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GEOPHYSICS Oceanography Petroleum and natural gas companies Geophysicists use the Earth's electric, magnetic, Meteorology Mining, exploration and consulting firms and gravitational fields to explore the molten Space Sciences Research institutes core, study the planet's shape, and map past Solid Earth Consulting firms movements of continents. Exploration Federal government agencies including: Obtain double major in physics. U.S. Take advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- and engineering. istration Obtain graduate degree for advancement and Geomagnetism Department of Defense research. Paleomagnetism State government Learn special techniques through fieldwork. Petrology Private industry Check on state licensing requirements. Universities and colleges

GENERAL INFORMATION • Bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level • Obtain experience in mapping and surveying. • Learn a foreign language since work is often done industry positions. Develop skills with measuring equipment in other countries. • Master's degree is preferred for state survey as well as laboratory equipment and pro- • Develop physical stamina to work and do re- work and advancement in industry and cesses. search in remote areas under various condi- government. • Obtain a business background to help in manag- tions. • Ph.D. is required for college/university teaching ing projects and assessing economic costs • Excellent verbal and written communication and advanced research positions. and benefits. skills are essential. The ability to market your • Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, • Have a love of the outdoors, an interest in nature, skills and write proposals is necessary to and/or co-op experience in different geologi- and a desire to travel. maintain steady work. The ability to obtain cal fields. • Join groups directed toward improvement of grants may be necessary to continue a project. • Employment prospects are best for those with natural resources, environment, and pollution master's degrees, familiarity with ad- control. • Majoring in two subject areas can increase vanced technologies such as computer • Join the student branch of the professional employability, for example, geology and modeling, and a willingness to relocate. organization(s) related to interest area(s). physics for geophysics, geology and foreign language for overseas assignments. • Plan on taking a state exam to become a regis- • Develop excellent computer skills. tered .

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1995, Revised 2000) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer