Hey everyone, I’ll try my best to summarize.

Im graduating with a geology B.S. next spring 2027, and my fiance and I plan on moving back to the northeast (currently live in Arizona, eyeing upstate NY.) I originally wanted to pursue exploration, found out quickly that lifestyle wasn’t for me. I’m ok with fieldwork, just not the extended swings the energy industry presents.

I’m coming up on ~3 years of geophysics, programming and GIS work experience now mostly obtained through undergraduate research and internships. I’d love a GIS/more office based geology position, and I’d hate to end up not using my degree; but with the state of the job market and given the fact we’re likely moving to a relatively rural area, the situation feels dire.

I suppose I could apply to remote positions or delay the market with a masters, but neither of those options are close to ideal. Should I just accept that it’s likely I’ll have to pivot out of geology to obtain the flexibility on where/how I work?

TLDR ICU RN thinking about geoscience career tell me everything you know/regret

Currently I’m a registered nurse working in the critical care environment, prior to my nursing career I spent five years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Although never actually getting the chance to be apart of any “Naval” commands I spent my time in the Navy as a line corpsman for 1/5 and in the emergency department on Camp Legeune. I think that in some ways I was put on this earth to be in this role. There are many many aspects of my career that are very very rewarding but I think if I have one more patient try to rip their bipap of there face I might lose my shit (not really lol). There’s so much I love about this job but I’m just unsure if it’s going to be feasible/possibly to be a bedside nurse until I’m ready to retire. If I were to partake in additional schooling I’m not really sold 100% that an NP or CRNA gig would be something I’d enjoy doing. Monetary gain is import but not everything. I’m from Florida, I’m currently on a travel assignment in New Mexico and I’ve had the chance to spend some time in the San Dias. I’ve always been fascinated by the mountains, being at sea level for basically my whole life getting the chance to see breathtaking peaks and defying aguilles whenever I could was always a really special moment. I spent a lot of time in college rock climbing indoors and making it to crags when ever I got the chance, tore my forearm muscle and have gravitated towards trail running. Kinda got me thinking recently, there are extremely educated professionals in these fields. If you’ve made it this far I really appreciate your time! What would pursuing a career as a geoscientist look like? I’m assuming geoscientist is an umbrella term that encompasses many different subspecialties? How’s the current job market? What types of companies hire geoscientists, and what’s the nitty-gritty of what their day-to-day looks like? From what I’ve been able to gather the median wage is about 100k a year? Is that only with a master’s? I would still have to hold down a nursing job, would this be obtainable through mostly online learning? I’d anticipate some field work to accommodate the academics’ “clinicals” for geology if you will but I’d probably have to work at least 2/3 shifts a week. If you’re currently in the field, is there anything you would’ve done differently? Are there other disciplines of science that you wish you would have studied instead? Thank you!! 🙏🏼

I have nearly eight years of experience in geotechnical engineering, hold a master's degree, and a licensed geologist and am currently located in the United States. I have worked with various American firms and professionals, and I have had a great experience at the firms where I have previously worked. However, four months ago, I joined a European company located in the United States, but the people I am working with are very rude. Whenever I ask a question, their answers are incorrect and dismissive. I explicitly told them that I did not have experience in underground construction, and they were very open, stating that they would train me and get me up to speed. I am not exaggerating; I try to do tasks by myself, but sometimes I need help, and they are not very helpful and instead let me down, making me feel like I am compromising my self-respect. The problem is that I have had three job changes in the last three years, and I do not know if anyone will hire me.

I am currently looking into a couple of senior-level positions with ITASCA International (US) on the consulting side.

Given their reputation as a premier niche firm-especially regarding numerical modeling (FLAC, 3DEC, etc.) and complex mining/geotechnical projects-I would love to get some candid insight from anyone who has worked there or collaborated closely with their teams.

A few specific points related to work-life balance (burnout factor), availability of work (high demand in mining or sustainable pace or choppy), company culture (regional offices operate as silos or cross border collaboration), and how is the in-person office expectation (say Denver area).

Any insight into compensation competitiveness or overall job satisfaction at the senior level would also be incredibly helpful. Feel free to PM me if you prefer to keep details private.

Yo, guys!
I’m a first-year UofA student in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology. I originally picked it because I was interested in genetics/biomedicine and thought about dental school or working in hospital labs after. But now I’m realizing that finding a decent-paying job with just a BSc might be pretty tough. Even with a master’s, I don’t see many opportunities paying over $50–60k, which isn’t really what I’m looking for.

I’m thinking about switching to Geology, Geophysics, or Earth Sciences while I’m still in my first year. Has anyone made a similar switch? Was it worth it? How are things going after graduation?

I’m also considering Engineering, but I’m worried it might be too much and I don't want to reapply, since it's easier to make a change in science department.

For context: (F) I’m getting closer to 30, don’t wanna waste another 4 years and perhaps masters on a degree with limited job prospects, and definitely don’t plan on doing a PhD.

Would love to hear your experiences! Feel free to comment or DM me. Thanks!

i (24f) graduated a few years ago with a BS in geology and environmental science. i wasn’t able to get a job in a related field, so i’ve been working as a government contractor in an industrial manufacturing setting. the first year was spent doing curriculum development things, and the second year i’ve been doing equipment preventative maintenance (i’m not the one actually doing the maintenance, i mostly just manage it and do other related tasks).

i’m not very happy at my current job and i’d like to switch to a geology or environmental career at some point. is there anything i can do to prepare for that? i honestly haven’t thought about geology at all since graduating and im afraid of knowing a whole lot of nothing when i eventually start applying to geology jobs.

The company I am applying for has a requirement for a pre-hiring drug test. Will THC in my system stop my job opportunity or does THC get overlooked?

This is for a College Graduate going into an entry level position

Hello, I am a junior (transfer student) at a university in the SE US. Since I was thrown into the geology program relatively late, I do not have the research/internship experience that some of my peers have.

I noticed that many internships expect related prior experience, and it’s pretty disheartening. How am I supposed to get experience if experience is prerequisite to these opportunities?

I’ve applied to a few summer internships with geotech firms but haven’t heard anything back. I’m going to start applying for REUs this week and reach out to my professors. I’ll take anything. Has anyone else been in this situation, and did you ever score an internship?

I’m a good student (3.6 GPA) and a hard worker, but I only have work experience as a manager at a pizza place lol. Worked there for 5 years, so I guess that shows I’m reliable at the very least. Any tips are appreciated.

Im 21, from Germany and just finished my bachelor in BA and am now looking towards a second bachelor in either mining engineering or (preferred) economic geology.

My long term goal is to work in M&A or PE in the mining sector e.g. Junior Mining Analyst. I could probably pursue this road just with my bachelor (the university is pretty solid) but I enjoy geology/engineering and I would love to learn about the technical side, be on site and manage exploration projects myself.

Unfortunately I´m pretty late for enrolling for semester 1 in february/march as deadlines have passed and/or the university is in either australia/usa/canada which I unfortunately cant afford. European Universites are either in the absolute middle of nowhere (lulea, freiberg, leoben) or in spanish/portuguese.

I consider 1. Wits (SA); 2. CUMT (China) or 3. Curtin Malaysia Campus (although focus oil&gas)

Im not looking for the most prestigious uni but a good program which teaches me a lot about the field im interested in. Except for Curtin all Unis just closed their app windows, I asked for late enrollment but should be a no.

Are there any Universities Im missing that have good value-price ratios?

Thank you guys

Hi everyone,

For background, I have a little over five years experience working in geotech as a geologist. I've worked on a pretty wide variety of projects across three companies in Southern California, but unfortunately I got laid off by my most recent employer in July 2026 due to a lack of work and I haven't found any steady employment since.

To be frank, I got pretty bored with geotech and have more of an academic background in mineralogy and ig pet, so I have been trying to transition to mining, but of course the lack of direct experience is something I am trying to overcome. I have applied for a few jobs with no responses so far, so I figured review of the most recent resume version I used for a Junior Exploration Geologist role would be helpful. Any constructive criticism is welcome, as I am aware that this resume has some content issues that I'm trying to resolve. Thanks everyone!

where I work we are using geobank and have been for the past twenty years. everyone is pushing for acquire but we have no money haha how many battlers are still out there with geobank, what else are you using and how do you like it?

I have unfortunately torn up all my handwritten research stuffs and articles i was about to publish when I was told I need to be a topper for that when i applied for needing a supervisor. I have ADHD and I can never score good like those brilliant students. Where do I stand if not research?

EDIT: I'm in my 3rd year of bachelors and can do one more year to gain a bachelors with research..

i just started working in a core shack and i know youre supposed to be wetting the core for most all activities but i notice coworkers just soaking the core, is that okay? i notice that some core like shicsts, breccia/gouge and heavily sulfided core like to just soak up the pools of water sitting in the wax boxes and then just fall apart the next time the core is handled. is this standard protocol?

i asked my boss about it and he just said 'just wet it as much as you need too'

*edit*
this is also most folks first geology job

*edit edit* also i think my roommate may be a core-flipper..

*edit edit edit* some coworkers just go spray crazy with the spray bottles, so much that the boxes leave trails/puddles of water when you move them around, and if you dont move the boxes around, the water just stays pooled at the bottom of the box and many of the rocks will just soak it up

I’ve been working in the environmental and geotechnical consulting realm for 6 going on 7 years. Progression has been fairly lateral the past few years and now with being a new mother it feels stagnant, if not a downward shift because I can’t conduct most of the fieldwork due to travel constraints.

I’m thinking I may have just hit the end of my road in this industry, and am looking to pivot. I don’t want to stray too far from enviro/geo/oil and gas since I am so passionate about the subject matter, but realistically I need to be home or in office with a typical 9-5.

I’ve heard of geologists getting careers in banking and investments.. I’m looking for tips or suggestions on how to breakthrough into that industry, or if there are any suggestions other than consulting (& government as it’s quite hard to find any openings).

Location is BC, Canada.

I just started college, and I plan on getting a PhD in geochemistry and hopefully doing analytical or aqueous focused research.

I'm currently working on doing a double major in chemistry and geology with a minor in applied statistics.

What first got me excited about geology was water-rock reactions. I also enjoy measuring things, and I think the math used to interpret measurements taken is amazing.

So, does geochemistry research normally involve a lot of analysis work?

Edit: I should add that I'd like whatever work I end up doing to be about reducing harm to the environment, even if only tangentially.

Hi everyone,

I'm a geologist from Chile and I've recently started considering the possibility of moving to Europe in the future. I'm curious about which countries currently offer the best combination of:

• Job opportunities for geologists
• Salary relative to cost of living
• Demand in mining, engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, and geotechnics
• Ease of integration for foreigners

I've seen people mention countries like Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, and even Portugal or Spain, but it's difficult to tell what the reality is like on the ground.

I'm a second year physics student considering doing a masters in geophysics and I'm noticing there are not many masters in geophysics, especially very few focusing on applied geophysics. Is the industry so small in europe that trying to break into it is not worth it? Or does the slim picking of masters degrees corelate with less competition for exsisting jobs?

I am also wondering if there are jobs in hydrogeology you could get with a geophysics masters? I love karstic environments and fluid dynamics and it seems very applicable.