Geology Career & Graduate School Opportunities

Geology graduates typically pursue careers in one of four major sectors:

  • Industry (petroleum, metals and minerals mining, resources mining)
  • Environmental (consulting, hydrology, mapping, non-profit work, conservation)
  • Government (U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Energy, Minnesota Geological Survey, civil natural resources agencies)
  • Research and education

Morris Geology majors have a record of professional success. They are currently employed by:

  • Major oil companies
  • Geophysical and exploration companies
  • Consulting firms specializing in environmental and engineering geology
  • State geological surveys
  • State departments of natural resources
  • National research labs
  • Secondary schools and universities

Students may move directly into the workforce with a bachelor’s degree, but graduate study in a specific sector within the geological sciences is highly beneficial.

Morris Geology Graduates Careers

Industry

  • Clastics geologist
  • Sedimentary geologist
  • Control systems engineer
  • Engineer
  • Engineer manager
  • Exploration geologist
  • Petroleum geologist
  • Petroleum technologist
  • Petrophysicist
  • Well driller

Environmental

  • Cartographic technician
  • Environmental consultant
  • Environmental director
  • Environmental field officer
  • Environmental geologist
  • Environmental project manager
  • Environmental scientist
  • Geography/quality assurance
  • Groundwater hydrologist
  • Hazardous materials response specialist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial hygienist
  • Soil and water analyst

Government

  • Army reserve conservation/mining foreman
  • Military officer
  • Watershed district administrator

Research & Education

  • Elementary science specialist
  • Geochemist
  • Geology instructor
  • Geology research scientist
  • Geophysicist
  • Glacial geologist
  • Laboratory automation
  • Precambrian geologist
  • Science teacher

Other

  • Accountant
  • Computer analyst
  • Computer network technician
  • Computer programmer
  • Computer technical support
  • Contract administrator
  • Corporate analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Farmer
  • Firefighter
  • Food scientist
  • Futures trader
  • Horse trainer
  • Information services manager
  • Insurance agent
  • Insurance office manager
  • Loan officer
  • Manufacturing training assistant
  • Meteorologist
  • Mortgage assistant
  • Navigator
  • Office manager
  • Personnel and safety director
  • Physician assistant
  • Salesperson
  • Software engineer
  • Technical editor
  • Technician
  • Webmaster

Graduate Schools

Morris Geology Discipline majors have had great success pursuing higher degrees, gaining entry to graduate programs at the following schools:

  • Brown University
  • Idaho State University
  • Iowa State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Lehigh University
  • Michigan State University
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • State University of New York at Binghamton
  • University of Alaska
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of Idaho
  • University of Indiana
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of Massachusetts
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Nebraska
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Washington
  • University of Western Washington
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Washington State University
  • Wright State University