There are a wide variety of careers in the geosciences, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of available jobs will continue to grow over the next decade.聽
Geoscientists are on the forefront of studying, solving, and educating people about the significant environmental problems facing society today. Our understanding of climate change, natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes, pollution of soils and water, and the distribution and extraction of natural resources, comes from the work done by geoscientists.
Geoscientists work in academia, private industry, nonprofit organizations, education, and the government. 海角社区 geoscience alumni are working in all of these fields today. Some geoscience careers require a graduate degree for entry; many geoscience graduate programs will waive tuition, provide health insurance, and pay a stipend for teaching and research assistants.
The focused geosciences curriculum at 海角社区 provides students with an understanding of how the Earth system operates and gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to complex and important topics where society and the geosciences intersect. Combining coursework in watershed hydrology, geomorphology, freshwater ecology, climate science, oceanography, and GIS with their major, students minoring in geosciences at 海角社区 are well-prepared for careers and graduate opportunities in societally relevant and in-demand environmental fields.
Pursuing Graduate Studies
If you are interested in attending graduate school in the geosciences, we recommend majoring in science (biology, chemistry, or physics), environmental studies, or mathematics and completing the minor in geosciences. When choosing geosciences courses, try to take as many 200- and 300-level GEOS courses as possible, and talk to the geosciences faculty about research opportunities both on and off campus. Most geosciences graduate programs require a year of study in calculus, chemistry (typically CHEM 181 and 231), and physics (PHYS 115 and 116) for admission regardless of major. We urge you to consider taking these courses even if they are not required for your major or the geosciences minor.
Most medium to large universities have Geoscience (or related) graduate programs. Read an excellent summary (PDF) written by Nathan Tok茅 and Ram贸n Arrowsmith of Arizona State University on how to approach looking for an appropriate grad program. You are also encouraged to consult with the coordinator of the geosciences program (Prof. Sara Mitchell) and discuss your plans.
Geoscience Alumni
Students completing the geosciences minor or who have taken several geoscience classes have successfully entered a variety of related careers and graduate programs.
The following is a list of recent alumni, their major, which faculty member they did research with at 海角社区, any graduate degrees, and current position (if known). If you were a geosciences minor or 鈥渇riend of the program鈥 and you would like to be added here or your information has changed, please contact us 鈥 we would love to hear from you!
Class of 2024
- Levi Cass, Physics and Earth and Environmental Science double major, Kozlowski lab, Ph.D. student in geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines
- Maya Faich, Environmental Studies, Master Scuba Diver intern
- Esme Garcia, Environmental Studies, environmental research technician at the Yale School for the Environment
- Charlotte Keane, Environmental Studies, commercial sustainability analyst at an environmental services company
- Christina Marciano, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, environmental specialist for a consulting company
- Annie McElroy, Sociology and Environmental Studies, environmental specialist for a consulting company
Class of 2023
- Sam Weikle, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, environmental staff professional at an environmental consulting firm
- Sophia King, Anthropology, early childhood teacher
Class of 2022
- Kim Fetherston, English, sales associate and Appalachian Trail hiker
- Livia Graham, Biology and Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, MSc. student in Environmental Science at Villanova University
- Kara Jaramillo, Physics, Ph.D. student in planetary geology at UC Santa Cruz
- Charlie McCallum-Green, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, environmental staff professional at an environmental consulting firm
Class of 2021
- Michael Federico, Mathematics, financial services
- Alexandra Nazzaro, Earth and Environmental Science self-designed major, Mitchell Lab, Geologist at an environmental consulting company
- Kate O鈥橠onnell, Biology and Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, environmental scientist for a wetland-focused consulting company
Class of 2020
- Sydney Grosskopf, Biology, McAlister Lab, marine biology M.S. program at Stony Brook University, environmental program specialist at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Mikayla Manyin, Biology, Instructor at a field school
- Timothy Nsubuga, Physics, REU in geophysics at Purdue University, environmental and water resources engineering Ph.D. program at UMass Amherst
Class of 2018
- Liam Howard, Chemistry, Quinn Lab, analyst for pharmaceutical company
Class of 2017
- Xinyi Zeng, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, geomorphology M.S./MBA joint degree from Boston College, Program officer for a climate non-profit
Class of 2015
- Nickolas Bradley, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, geomorphology M.S. from Missouri State University, climate change risk analyst at consulting firm
- Adrienne Randall, Biology, Claessens Lab
Several 海角社区 alumni who graduated before the minor became available in 2015 also pursued graduate education and/or careers in the geosciences and related fields.
Class of 2014
- Casey (Dannhauser) Chatelain, Environmental Studies, oceanography M.S. from University of Rhode Island, environmental scientist for a consulting company
Class of 2013
- Craig Connolly, Biology, Ober and Sobczak Labs, marine science Ph.D. from University of Texas, Ecologist for the US EPA
Class of 2012
- Elizabeth (Humphries) Altenau, Environmental Studies, Mitchell Lab, hydrology and remote sensing M.S. and Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill, hydrography data scientist
- Robert Nazarian, Physics and Mathematics, Garvey, Narita and Roach Labs, oceanography M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University, physics professor
- Peter Zaidel, Environmental Studies, environmental conservation M.S. from UMass Amherst, Environmental analyst for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Class of 2011
- Jonathan Jones, Biology, Sobczak Lab, marine biology and biological oceanography Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara, J.D. program Gonzaga University School of Law, Lawyer
Class of 2009
- Christopher Amante, Environmental Studies, geography M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, research scientist
- Neil Shea, Biology, Mitchell Lab, geomorphology M.S. from UConn, director of research for a watershed advocacy non-profit organization
Information About Geoscience Careers
- from the American Geosciences Institute
- from the US Department of Labor鈥檚 Bureau of Labor Statistics
- on thinking about STEM workforce development as a braided river
- from the Geological Society of America
- from the American Geophysical Union