Geology Degree

[BuffaloBass716]

I'm currently a college student majoring in geology and I really enjoy every bit of it and I do very well in the classes. I was just curious to see if anyone of the guys on here have a B.A degree in geology or something similar such as earth science.  What kind of work do you do/ enjoy? I'm debating whether to stay local for a job after college or to move away to experience something new and to see a different part of the country.

 

Thoughts?

[Long Mike]

I thought a degree in geology was a BS, not a BA.  If it's a BS there are many opportunities available with the major oil companies and even more with the myriad of service companies that support them.  If you decide to go with one of them, plan on moving to the Gulf Coast; probably Houston.

[BuffaloBass716]

At the college I attend (Buffalo State) the undergraduate geology degree is marked as a B.A, with less requirements compared to an Earth Science B.S degree, which is more specialized.  I'm not really sure if it makes a difference though, both are four year degrees. 

[emmiejolopez]

My husband has his B.S. in Geology and it has provided him many rewarding opportunities. I know the degree is available as B.A. but I think your chances of landing a job are higher with a B.S. I say this because I have a B.A. in Physical Geography and have realized, had I gotten a B.S., I'd be eligible for more positions in the marketplace.

That said, he worked in gold for five years. Had we not met, got married and decided to have a family, he/we could have traveled the world. Be aware, gold is a very volatile industry and you can make money, but be let go at any time. With the price of gold dropping and predicted to drop further, it's a scary career to have right now. We have friends from all over the world who constantly move around and have no idea where they will be, even a year from now.

It simply depends on what you are looking for. My husband recently jumped ship to environmental geology. It isn't as lucrative but the living options are better (no mining camps or FIFO) and the work is stable and steady. There is no worry that when we have kids, he'll be laid off and have to uproot our lives.

Check out infomine.com for information on the many types of mining operations in the world. Decide what's most important to you (work or family) and go for it. Also realize that in hard rock mining, You'll likely, at least occasionally be exposed to dangerous conditions (even in open pit mining), probably work on-call often and have a crazy schedule.

We had to make a call on what was right for us as a family, but I do believe that if my husband was still single, he'd likely be in Chile, Africa...who knows. There are pros and cons for both. Good luck!

[Mike2841]

My uncle had a degree in geology, he was a park ranger, not sure if his degree had anything to do with the job though.

[slonezp]

My brother-in-laws brother is a geologist. He travels the world and has been spending a ton of time in the middle east. He is leaving for Kazakhstan shortly to take soil readings for some huge construction project in the near future. Couldn't tell you what degree he has or what kind of money he makes. I do know he's away from his wife and kids more often than not. 

[slonezp]

Talked to my sister. My bil's brother is a geo physicist. She said, had he got and engineering degree, he would do the same things he is doing now but get paid twice as much.  

[Nice_Bass]

I have a GIS and natural resource economics degree. 

I am in banking now.

as far as your geology degree, get all the IT training you can get I would say as well. 

[BuffaloBass716]

I have a GIS and natural resource economics degree. 

I am in banking now.

as far as your geology degree, get all the IT training you can get I would say as well. 

What is IT training?

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I was in the process of getting my B.S. Geology degree. Then Auburn threw me out. So now I'm an electrician with an understanding of rocks.

[deaknh03]

I was in the process of getting my B.S. Geology degree. Then Auburn threw me out. So now I'm an electrician with an understanding of rocks.

good combo, like peanut butter and meatloaf.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

good combo, like peanut butter and meatloaf.

I know right. Haven't had any opportunity to use my rock knowledge at work yet. Maybe one day it will happen.

[Root beer]

I know right. Haven't had any opportunity to use my rock knowledge at work yet. Maybe one day it will happen.

 

Hmm. Tell me where you work at and I'll come throw a rock through your window, then you can tell me what kind of rock I threw.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Hmm. Tell me where you work at and I'll come throw a rock through your window, then you can tell me what kind of rock I threw.

Coal fired steam plant maybe thirty minutes to an hour north of you. Wouldn't throw a rock threw the window though. Power plant security carries guns and WILL use them. Then the two sheriff's deputies parked at the entrance/exit will have to carry you out.

In the spirit of fun though. It would probably be a sand stone or lump of coal. Seeing as that's the most common thing laying around out there.

[.dsaavedra.]

I'm working toward a BS in environmental science right now, with lots of GIS courses. Nothing to really contribute here but it's fun!

[Long Mike]

Coal fired steam plant maybe thirty minutes to an hour north of you. Wouldn't throw a rock threw the window though. Power plant security carries guns and WILL use them. Then the two sheriff's deputies parked at the entrance/exit will have to carry you out.

In the spirit of fun though. It would probably be a sand stone or lump of coal. Seeing as that's the most common thing laying around out there. I

 

In the spirit of fun, the only rock thrown at Raider would be composed entirely of intercoursite.

[slonezp]

In the spirit of fun, the only rock thrown at Raider would be composed entirely of intercoursite.

Nominated for worst  post of the year...and it's only February.