Earth & Environmental Sciences (formerly Geological Sciences) FROM STUDY TO SKILLS The Earth and Environmental Sciences study the and mineral deposits depends on a workforce that formation and evolution of the Earth, and how the heat understands the geological processes that form them. The deep inside the Earth continually reshapes our landscape. extraction and utilization of these resources often can It studies how the Earth’s climate and environment place the environment at risk, which jeopardizes human have changed in the past and will continue to change. health and prosperity. At the same time, population As an earth scientist, you will use the physical and growth and climate change affect the availability of biological sciences to study the dynamics of the Earth fresh water, while natural disasters such as earthquakes, and understand how we can use its resources and how we tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts and floods have affect its environment. increasing impact. This study is growing increasingly urgent. The rising The study of the Earth and its environment is highly human population makes it more difficult to improve interdisciplinary and draws heavily from related standards of living for all people. The demand for fields such as physics, chemistry, atmospheric science, resources — energy, metals, fresh water, and fertile oceanography, engineering, ecology, microbiology, soil — is growing sharply. Exploration for new energy botany, mathematics, statistics, and archeology. SKILLS AND ABILITIES Analytical / Research Skills Problem-Solving Skills Project Development Skills Communication Skills Applying scientific method to Analyzing data Integrating knowledge from Presenting complex problems multiple disciplines real-life problems Learning how to deal with clearly Understanding the uncertainty and ambiguity Applying classroom Using scientific language and knowledge to field interactions between the Computer modeling of reporting methods projects earth and its environment scientific data Writing proposals and Finding solutions to complex Collecting data in the field Analyzing Internet research reports problems Studying the interplay of information critically Designing effective Working as a member of a short and long term Synthesizing information presentations team processes and building conceptual Negotiating between explanations conflicting viewpoints BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate Camp Davis, near Jackson, Wyoming, as well as through excellent verbal and written communication skills, field trips to international (e.g., Scotland, New Zealand, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong Iceland) and national (e.g., California, Texas, Florida, work ethic. One way to develop such skills is through Hawaii) destinations. In addition, the department has a Geoclub, a student-run organization in the department, strong tradition of involving undergraduates in research which coordinates K-12 outreach, student presentations projects with our faculty, which allows students to test of research, and recruitment events. out a career field and develop marketable skills. EES is strongly field based and offers several opportunities to develop field-based skills at our off-campus facility, kdh FROM SKILLS TO CAREER The Earth and Environmental Sciences concentration provides a fertile foundation for careers in education, prepares our students for highly adaptable and versatile law, and business. careers in the energy, mining, and environmental consulting industries, as well as for employment in Many of our concentrators go on to graduate or academia and government. In addition, the degree professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by our graduates. Research Analytical / Problem-Solving Project Development Communication Seismologist & Environmental consultant Environmental engineer & K-12 teacher Volcanologist & Geologist Environmental planner Politician, federal, state, and Oceanographer & Soil scientist Urban planner & local government Mineralogist Environmental lawyer & Curator & Journalist / environmental writer Paleontologist & Professor & Eco tour guide National park ranger Astronaut & Water exploration scientist National park scientist Nature center outreach Research scientist & Energy consultant Landscape architect & coordinator Petroleum geologist Nuclear waste specialist Earthquake mitigation expert & = Green Jobs & = Further Study Required For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/ CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS The Department additionally offers minors in Earth Science, Environmental Geology, Oceanography and The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Paleontology. It also has a joint LSA-Engineering offers a single, highly flexible concentration, with an degree program in Earth System Science and a highly Honors option. The degree requires two introductory- competitive fifth-year Master’s program. level earth science courses. One has an emphasis on the Earth and Environmental Sciences solid earth and the coupling between its interior and 2534 C. C. Little Building surface. The other has a focus on the interactions between 1100 North University Avenue the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. For the core 734-764-1435 curriculum, there is a set of eight courses from which at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/earth least four are selected. A field course at Camp Davis is also required. Three faculty members act as undergraduate Newnan Advising Center advisors to help students make optimal use of the flexible 1255 Angell Hall nature of the concentration program. 734-764-0332 www.lsa.umich.edu/advising NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES On-campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at: For more career information for Earth and Environmental https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx Sciences students, see: Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students www.lsa.umich.edu/earth/undergraduate/careeropportunities to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize To identify additional internships or job opportunities, visit Volunteer Connection lists volunteer opportunities in Career Center Connector: local organizations: http://volunteer-connection.umich.edu/ www.careercenter.umich.edu/c3student/index.html To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest The Career Center you, create your own LinkedIn account: 3200 Student Activities Building www.careercenter.umich.edu/students/networking/linkedin_intro.html 734-764-7460 www.careercenter.umich.edu The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2011 Regents of the University of Michigan http://twitter.com/careercenter.