High School
Because you will need a college degree in order to find work in this profession, you should take a college preparatory curriculum while in high school. Such a curriculum will include computer science, history, English, and geography classes. Science classes are also important, particularly earth science, chemistry, and physics. Math classes should include algebra, trigonometry, and statistics.
Postsecondary Training
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry into lower-level geology jobs, but a master's degree is usually necessary for beginning positions in research, teaching, and exploration. A person with a strong background in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science may also qualify for some geology jobs. For those wishing to make significant advancements in research and for teaching at the college level, a doctoral degree is required. Those interested in the geological profession should have an aptitude not only for geology but also for physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
A number of colleges, universities, and technical institutes offer degrees in geology. Programs in geophysical technology, geophysical engineering, geophysical prospecting, and engineering geology also offer related training for beginning geologists.
Traditional geoscience courses emphasize classical geologic methods and concepts. Mineralogy, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology are important courses for undergraduates. Students also complete an internship or co-op at a geological services firm or a government agency such as the U.S. Geological Survey. Those interested in environmental and regulatory fields should take courses in hydrology, hazardous waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic logging.
In addition, students should take courses in related sciences, mathematics, English composition, and computer science. Students seeking graduate degrees in geology should concentrate on advanced courses in geology, placing major emphasis on their particular fields.
Other Education or Training
The Geological Society of America offers short courses, training workshops, field trips, seminars, internships, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Sessions at its annual meeting have included Innovations in Geological Mapping, New Voices in Geobiology, and Earth Surface Processes in Tectonically Active and Unstable Regions. The American Geophysical Union, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Association for Women Geoscientists, Association of American State Geologists, Society for Sedimentary Geology, and the Society of Economic Geologists also provide CE opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Architects
- Archivists
- Asbestos Abatement Technicians
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Botanists
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Building Automation Systems Engineers
- Building Automation Systems Technicians
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Carpenters
- Cartographers
- Cement Masons
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Coal Miners
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Cost Estimators
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Drafters
- Drywall Installers and Finishers
- Ecologists
- Electricians
- Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Floor Covering Installers
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- General Maintenance Mechanics
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Glaziers
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Heating and Cooling Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Insulators/Insulation Workers
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landmen
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Lathers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Terrazzo Workers
- Marine Biologists
- Materials Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meteorologists
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Millwrights
- Mining Engineers
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Operating Engineers
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Plasterers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Range Managers
- Real Estate Developers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Rewilders
- Roofers
- Roustabouts
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Smart Building Systems Designers
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Stationary Engineers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Truck Drivers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists