A degree in Geology?

[Zysoclaplem]

I have always been fascinated with Geology. That area of science is definately my favorite.
But where will I end up with a bachelors degree in geology? Know anyone with one that works in that field? What do they do? I really don't want to end up working on an oil rig.

 

[BigJ]

*Aerial Photographer *Geomorphologist *National Park Service Professional
*Agricultural Engineer *Geophysicist *Oceanographer
*Architect *Geophysics Technician *Paleoceanographer
*Astronomer *Geo-Technical Engineer *Paleoclimatologist
*Cartographer *Glacial Geologist *Paleontologist
*Computer Analyst *Hydrologist *Park Naturalist
*Consultant *Industrial Hygienist *Park Ranger
*Cooperative Extension Agent *Instrumentation Technician *Parks and Natural Resource Manager
*Economic Geologist *Laboratory Technician *Peace Corps Worker
*Environmental Consultant *Landscape/Nursery Manager *Petroleum Engineer
*Environmental Geologist *Marine Advisor *Petroleum Geologist
*Environmental Lawyer *Materials Analyst *Petrologist
*Forest Ranger *Mathematician *Planetary Geologist
*General Manager-Petroleum/Mining *Medical Doctor *Pollution Control Specialist
*Geochemist *Meteorologist *Pollution Remediator
*Geodynamacist *Mineralogist *Project Manager
*Geologist *Mining Engineer *Prospector
*Sales Engineer *Soil Scientist *Surveyor
*Scientific Photographer *Soil Scientist, Agriculture *Technical Writer/Communicator
*Sedimentologist *Stratigrapher *Urban/Regional Planner
*Seismologist *Structural Geologist *US Foreign Service Worker
*Volcanologist *Water Quality Control Technician *Well Logging Specialist
*Waste Management Specialist *Water Remote Sensing Interpreter *Geophysical Exploration
*Hydrogeologist *Oceanographer *Waste Disposal Specialist

From:

http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/geology.htm

 

[ai42]

Heh my Dad has a degree in Geophysics. He worked for Mobil (before it was Exxon Mobil) for years working out in the field gathering sismographic data and analyzing it (looking for oil of course). However, from what I understand any joe shmo with 12 hour class can run those machines now and they simply email the data back. Honestly though a straight bachlors degree in geology I don't think is worth it my dad got his Masters in Geophysics and he got passed over for several jobs by doctors in similar fields. Anyway long story short there are jobs out there but you have to be either really good or have a very high level of education. There is always teaching of course. My dad no longer works in the oil industry and works now in UNIX administration.

 

[rgwalt]

Perhaps you should identify what jobs/careers you are interested in, and make a decision on a major based on what skills you will need to perform the particular job.

R

 

[Jzero]

I imagine that you'd really need graduate-level degree to do much.

 

[Linflas]

I have a BS in Geology. I have been working in computers since 1983.

Edit: Even though I have never worked in geology since getting my degree like most geologists you probably don't want to ride in a car with me when driving through the mountains.

 

[akubi]

stan's dad on south park has a geology degree. what could go wrong?

 

[AdamSnow]

I'd say that it is a good idea...

The Corporate Geologist for my company sits just down from me - and she's making AMAZING money...

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I have a BS in Geology. I have been working in computers since 1983.

Edit: Even though I have never worked in geology since getting my degree like most geologists you probably don't want to ride in a car with me when driving through the mountains.

Have you ever been on a dig? Like on a site? Where you excavate or search for and dig up fossils?
That just sounds like so much fun to me.

 

[MichaelD]

I think a Geology degree would rock.

Get it?

Rock?

Nevermind.

 

[HamSupLo]

go look for oil and natural gas, $$$$

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I think a Geology degree would rock.

Get it?

Rock?

Nevermind.

BWAAHAHHAHAHAHAH!!

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Linflas
I have a BS in Geology. I have been working in computers since 1983.

Edit: Even though I have never worked in geology since getting my degree like most geologists you probably don't want to ride in a car with me when driving through the mountains.

Have you ever been on a dig? Like on a site? Where you excavate or search for and dig up fossils?
That just sounds like so much fun to me.

We did a lot of hands on stuff all over the Shenandoah Valley on weekends. Not really digging but spending time at outcrops measuring and examining. We would find all sorts of fossils as part of that. I have a box full of rocks from those trips in my garage. I am still fascinated with it to the point that I am toying with the idea of doing the Virginia career switch program to get certified to teach earth science.

The best suggestion I can give you is take the intro geology class when you start college and see how you like it. I started college with the plan to become a business major but changed to geology after my first class. Even as a kid I loved to collect and break open rocks so it just seemed to fit. I graduated at the beginning of the oil bust in the early 80's when geologists with doctorates were pumping gas or changing fields so my only real choice would have been to go to grad school if I wanted to actually earn a living as a geologist.

 

[Cooler]

humans have been studying rocks for almost 3 million years. Yet there is still much to learn from our slient friends. We must think they know the meaning of life because the last so long.

also that degree is rock sold.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Linflas
I have a BS in Geology. I have been working in computers since 1983.

Edit: Even though I have never worked in geology since getting my degree like most geologists you probably don't want to ride in a car with me when driving through the mountains.

Have you ever been on a dig? Like on a site? Where you excavate or search for and dig up fossils?
That just sounds like so much fun to me.

We did a lot of hands on stuff all over the Shenandoah Valley on weekends. Not really digging but spending time at outcrops measuring and examining. We would find all sorts of fossils as part of that. I have a box full of rocks from those trips in my garage. I am still fascinated with it to the point that I am toying with the idea of doing the Virginia career switch program to get certified to teach earth science.

The best suggestion I can give you is take the intro geology class when you start college and see how you like it. I started college with the plan to become a business major but changed to geology after my first class. Even as a kid I loved to collect and break open rocks so it just seemed to fit. I graduated at the beginning of the oil bust in the early 80's when geologists with doctorates were pumping gas or changing fields so my only real choice would have been to go to grad school if I wanted to actually earn a living as a geologist.

I'm still that way. If I see an interesting rock, I will pick it up and take it home. I have a box of them. I used to give them to my ex as presents when I got home from work. He never quite appreciated that though.
I'll try the intro course. Thanks for the advice.

 

[paulney]

Geology major is a winner
You get to:
- camp all over the world
- get loaded with booze
- learn to play accoustic guitar
- tell chicks stories about near-death encounters with bears and nature elements
- you get to wear telnyashka and achieve uber-geologist status

 

[Dedpuhl]

Since I've been a Civil Engineer, I can think of one Geologist that I dodn't hate. All the Groundwater Modelers I've met think that they are brilliant, but they don't know sh!t.

The one that sits next to me is the most annoying fvck...ever!

Maybe the other branches of Geology are different. I dunno...

 

[effee]

Well um..there's not going to be alot of oil left to search for..

 

[theknight571]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I have a BS in Geology. I have been working in computers since 1983.

Edit: Even though I have never worked in geology since getting my degree like most geologists you probably don't want to ride in a car with me when driving through the mountains.

LOL... I had to check your profile to make sure you weren't the guy I used to work with.

He had a Geology degree but spent 20 years working in the computer field. He recently took a package and is now seeking other employment... he wants to get back into the Geology field.

I can vouch for the driving though the mountains... he made us stop several times while on the road to get "samples". lol

- TK

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

McDonald's doesn't care what your degree is in.

 

[paulney]

Don't listen to the haters! You'll be laughing all the way to the South African bank when you uncover a gold/diamond mine, buy the land for exclusive use and have half the continent slave away for you

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Also Linflas, how were the courses? I can imagine there was some math involved, but I hate math. It's not that I cannot do it, I just hate it.
Was there lots of hands on, or just lots of homework. I guess that tends to vary from school to school and teacher to teacher.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
McDonald's doesn't care what your degree is in.

Been there, done that. My first job. As bad as it paid, it was probably the most fun I have ever had at a job.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
McDonald's doesn't care what your degree is in.

Been there, done that. My first job. As bad as it paid, it was probably the most fun I have ever had at a job.

"This burger is for a cop"

 

[geek4life]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I have always been fascinated with Geology. That area of science is definately my favorite.
But where will I end up with a bachelors degree in geology? Know anyone with one that works in that field? What do they do? I really don't want to end up working on an oil rig.

I'd like to order a double cheese burger. No bacons.