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Geology and Environmental Geosciences

What can you do with a degree in geology?

The study of geology can lead to a wide variety of careers relating to the study of the Earth’s past and future. A major career area in geology today is in the environmental arena. Other important areas include the discovery of new energy and/or mineral resources and the prediction, prevention and remediation of hazards related to the earth’s dynamic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, flooding and beach erosion. Careers in the geoscience and environmental industries are projected to increase by 28% in the next decade.

Our graduates enter the workforce with very high levels of placement, often working with fellow UD geology and environmental geology alumni.

Half of our graduates continue on for their masters and/or doctorate degrees.

Geology, Careers, 2024

Questions about your career?

Exciting and relevant areas of research and study in the field of geology include, but are not limited to:

  • Plate Tectonics
  • Global Climate Change Remote Sensing
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Energy Resources
  • Mineralogy and Petrology
  • Paleobiology
  • Geochemistry
  • Glacial Geology and Geomorphology
  • Hydrogeology

A recent survey of our alumni turned up a diverse spectrum of job titles and careers attesting to the diverse careers open to geologists. Our alumni include the following:

  • Environmental consultants, managers, and executives for firms across the US and around the world
  • Exploration and production geologists and geophysicists for oil and gas firms
  • Managers and executives in the oil and gas industry
  • Volcanic hydro geologist with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
  • President of ASI Environmental Technologies
  • Specialists in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Commissioned officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Professors, deans, and administrators at colleges and universities across the U.S.
  • Environmental lawyers
  • Senior vice president for exploration at a major mining company
  • Hazardous waste program manager for Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Numerous middle and high school earth science teachers
  • Consultant geologist for Union Pacific Resource Company
  • Head of environmental geology section at Indiana Geological Survey
  • Geologist in the Kentucky Division of Oil and Gas, senior oil and gas inspector
  • Researchers in oceanography, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency
  • Senior geologist at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Visit the University's Career Services for guidance on your career.


Career Services

AGI Geoscience Workforce Program (www) >>
From the American Geosciences Institute

What does USGS do? (www) >>
From the U.S. Geological Survey

NASA: Earth Science Careers (www) >>
From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Careers in GeoScience Education (www) >>
From the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Guide to Outdoor/Environmental Careers (www) >>
From Princeton University


CONTACT

Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Science Center
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2364
937-229-3432
Email
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