Geology Careers

The work of geologists and geoscientists is much like that of a detective: They find clues that point to events that occurred in the past and try to decipher what happened and why. They examine available data and find new connections that might help address problems like global climate change or water resource scarcity.

Alumni Outcomes

Geology at GW

The GW campus is located near a variety of geology-related government agencies, private laboratories, museums, firms, universities and societies, all of which offer students opportunities for research projects and internships. Additionally, many professional geologists from the Washington, D.C., area serve the program as adjunct faculty, research project mentors and internship supervisors.

Advantages to a Career in Geology

Varied Workplace Settings

Many geologists are drawn to the opportunity to work outdoors. They enjoy carrying out geologic mapping, sample collection and data-gathering in beautiful and remote settings. Others work almost entirely in offices or laboratories. Still others combine both venues, switching between the field and office or laboratory as the nature of the work dictates. 

Whatever their primary workplace setting, most geologists and hydrogeologists travel extensively throughout their careers to attend meetings, visit colleagues, participate in field trips and examine the geology of far-off places.

Current and Future Relevance

Studies indicate that increasing numbers of people worldwide choose to live in geologically at-risk areas: low-lying coasts, landslide-prone regions, areas with limited fresh water and earthquake-prone locations. As a result, the future holds many opportunities for geoscientists and hydrogeologists to use their expertise to help avert disasters and save lives.

Median pay in the geoscience field is above $90,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and stands to increase as demand rises. Hydrogeologists, in particular, are sought after to provide advice concerning issues as varied as soil and water contamination, coastal aquifer contamination, hazardous-waste site management and effective design of environmental remediation systems.

Teamwork

The work of geoscientists and hydrogeologists is typically interdisciplinary in nature, involving principles from biology, chemistry, physics and more. Most geoscientists specialize in a particular area of research or work-related experience. Because of the complex nature of the natural systems they investigate, geoscientists often pair up to complement each other’s expertise.

Multi-authored research papers and work-related reports are common. (Explore our faculty pages for examples.) Effective interpersonal skills are therefore an important ingredient to successful and highly enjoyable careers in geology.

Using data and observations, geoscientists typically construct detailed models to explain their findings, discuss their ideas with colleagues and present the conclusions, both orally and in print.

Geology Career Types

Geochemists: Study the nature and distribution of chemical elements in groundwater and Earth materials in order to better understand Earth’s compositional characteristics

Geologists: Study the composition, physical materials and history of Earth, usually with the goal of understanding the nature of processes that have formed the geologic record

Geophysicists (includes geodesists, seismologists and geomagneticists): Use mathematics and physics to study Earth's motions, gravitational field, earthquakes and magnetic information to better understand geodynamic processes and improve models of Earth’s interior

Mineralogists: Analyze and classify minerals and minerals systems, usually with the goal of understanding the nature of formation and/or to locate new mineral resources

Paleontologists: Study fossils to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and to decipher the geologic history of the Earth

Sedimentologists: Study the nature, origin and distribution of sediments (such as gravel, sand, silt and mud) and further understanding of the processes involved in sediment accumulation and the deposits they contain

Stratigraphers: Examine the formation and layering of stratified rocks in order to understand the environment in which they formed and clues they hold about Earth-surface processes of the past

Volcanologists: Investigate volcanic phenomena to better predict the potential for future eruptions and the nature of volcanic-related hazards to human health and welfare

Glacial geologists: Study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets, and often are involved in discussions around climate change

Hydrogeologists: Study the quantity, composition, distribution, circulation and physical properties of surface water and groundwater; often play a role in decisions involving resource management and land use

Engineering geologists: Apply geologic principles to civil and environmental engineering, often advising on major construction projects, environmental remediation, resource management and natural-hazard reduction

Oceanographers: Study Earth’s oceans and coastal waters to provide important evidence bearing on coastal process, undersea geology, biological evolution, broad-scale oceanic circulation patterns and climate change

Popular D.C. Institutions for Geologists