Why Become an Earth Scientist?
- You are interested in processes that shape Earth
- You want to help your community solve problems and grow responsibly
- You like to work outdoors and see beautiful geologic locations
- You like to work outdoors and solve problems using laboratory and computer skills
- Good pay and high job satisfaction
- Great opportunities in high demand fields
- Wide and diverse range of employment options
LET’S GEO
The Department of Geosciences has a career-readiness program to help you find and prepare for your career path. Designed in consultation with regional employers, LET’S GEO helps you explore the many career paths open to Geoscientists.
Alumni Success
Our alumni go on to fulfilling careers in a wide variety of sectors including environmental consulting firms, geotechnical companies, federal and state regulatory agencies, non-profit organizations, museums, universities, energy companies, mineral resource companies, national laboratories, and scientific agencies. Many entry level jobs are available with just a bachelor’s degree.
Some pursue a graduate degree right away, while others return to graduate school after a few years of work in order to attain advanced knowledge and career advancement. A graduate degree also opens up career possibilities in academia and research. Some examples of jobs our alumni have held include:
- Meteorologist, WTMJ Channel 4
- Field Technician, Milwaukee County Parks
- Geologist, Ramboll
- Mission Operations, Malin Space Science Systems
- Data Analyst, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
- Geologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Ranger, U.S. Park Service
- Geophysicist, BP
- Hydrogeologist, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
UWM Career Resources
External Career Resources
- American Geological Institute
- Geology.com
- Canadian Geoscience Council
- Association for Women GeoScientists
- EcoJobs
- EnvironmentalCareer.com
- Los Alamos National Lab
- EarthWorks-Jobs.com
- EOS – 4 Steps to Finding your Career Fit
- Geological Society of America
- Pacific Northwest National Lab
- GIS Jobs Clearinghouse
- Indeed.com Geoscience Job Search
- Job-Hunt.org
- National Science Foundation (research opportunities)
Areas that employ Geoscientists
- Banking Industry
- Education
- Environmental Watchdog Groups:
- Audubon Society
- Earth Watch
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Greenpeace
- National Audubon Society
- Sierra Club
- Geophysical Companies:
- Consultants
- Instrumentation Companies
- Well Logging Companies
- Insurance Companies
- Legal Profession
- Local Government Agencies:
- Planning Commissions
- Inspection Agencies
- Mining Companies
- Petroleum Companies (geological and geophysical)
- Real Estate
- State Agencies:
- Department of Administration
- Department of Natural Resources
- Department of Transportation
- Geological and Natural History Survey
- Regulatory Agencies
Disciplines in Geosciences
- Computer Geology
- Economic Geology
- Environmental (General)
- Environmental Geochemistry
- Environmental Geo-Engineering
- Environmental Geology
- Field / Mapping Geology
- Geography / GIS
- Geology (General)
- Geomorphology
- Geophysics (General)
- Geoscience / Earth Science (General)
- Geotechnical Writing
- Geothermal Resource Management
- Glaciology
- Hazards / Waste Management
- Historical Geology
- Hydrology / Hydrogeology Marine Science
- Mathematical Science
- Mineralogy / Crystallography
- Mining (General)
- Mining Geoscience
- Mudlogging
- Oceanography
- Paleobotany
- Paleoecology
- Paleontology / Palynology
- Park / Land Management
- Petroleum (General)
- Petroleum Geochemistry
- Petroleum Geo-Engineering
- Petroleum Geology
- Petroleum Geophysics
- Petrology / Petrography
- Petrophysics / Log Analysis
- Photo Geology / Satellite Imagery
- Planetary Geoscience
- Remote Sensing
- Rock Mechanics