What can you do with a Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences degree?

First, some facts. Of the Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 240 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 45% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduate.

See the details:

View a random Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 38%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Distiller
Wood's High Mountain Distillery
Oct 2022 - Mar 2023
The role of a distiller does not utilize geological or earth sciences knowledge directly, focusing instead on beverage production and distillation processes that are unrelated to the individual's degree.

Hatchery technician
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Apr 2023 - Present
As a hatchery technician, some understanding of biological processes related to ecology might be relevant, but the job does not directly require geological or earth sciences knowledge as core qualifications.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


The job landscape for graduates with a degree in Geological and Earth Sciences can be quite varied, showcasing a blend of roles that are directly related to the field and others that are less aligned. Reviewing the job histories of various individuals, we note several common roles, particularly in positions like Geologist, Environmental Scientist, and roles within the oil and gas sector, such as Mudloggers and Wellsite Geologists. These positions clearly leverage the specialized knowledge and skills acquired during their academic training in geology and earth sciences. In fact, many hold roles requiring direct application of their educational background, making their positions highly relevant to their studies.

On the flip side, a sizeable number of graduates find themselves in roles that do not directly utilize their geological training. For instance, many individuals work in areas like sales, customer service, or general administrative positions, which might not require specific knowledge of geological sciences. Roles such as Hotel Receptionist, Customer Support Representative, or various management positions often lack a direct link to the skills learned in their degree programs. Surprisingly, even within positions traditionally seen as relevant, like Environmental Consultant or Project Manager, some individuals reported a focus on broader tasks that do not rely heavily on their geological expertise. This suggests a spectrum within the job market, where many graduates are diversifying into roles beyond their core competencies but may still apply transferable skills fostered during their studies.

Overall, while it’s encouraging to see many graduates securing jobs that align closely with their academic expertise, it’s equally important to acknowledge that a significant portion of these professionals are venturing into roles with varying relevance to geological sciences. This dual reality showcases the breadth of career options available for Geological and Earth Sciences graduates, although the degree of alignment with their studies can vary vastly across different positions.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences, it’s evident that there are quite a diverse range of career paths that these individuals have taken. Many of them begin their professional journeys in roles directly linked to their field of study, such as wellsite geologists, mudloggers, and geological technicians. For instance, graduates from University of Houston-Downtown started as Lead Wellsite Geologist, while another recent graduate from California State University-Bakersfield is working as an Engineering Geologist. This kind of entry-level position indicates that many graduates are indeed finding jobs related to their education right after college, which is a positive sign for those considering geology as a field of study.

However, as we stretch our view to about five years or ten years after graduation, the picture starts to get mixed. While a number of individuals steadily progress within geosciences—like a graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara who went from being a GIS Analyst to a Staff Geologist—many others shift away from geology-related jobs entirely. For example, some graduates have taken on roles in education or customer service, which don’t directly correlate with their geology degrees, like the graduates from Salem State University who found work in hospitality or unrelated sectors. It seems that while some do stay true to their geology roots, a significant chunk reroutes their careers into fields that may not directly utilize their geoscience background.

In conclusion, geological and earth sciences graduates often start their careers in relevant positions, which is encouraging. However, the subsequent five to ten years can lead to varied outcomes, with many moving into other sectors that might not leverage their specialized skills. This highlights a reality for many graduates in specialized fields: while degree holders can initially land roles in their area, the long-term trajectory often sees a drift into other industries where job availability might be more robust or aligned with personal interests. Ultimately, this blend of outcomes underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning for graduates in geological and earth sciences.

How hard is a Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Geological and Earth Sciences can be on the challenging side, but it's not impossible! You'll dive into a mix of science-heavy subjects like chemistry, physics, and biology, along with a lot of fieldwork, which can be super fun but also kind of tough. If you enjoy being outdoors and have a love for nature and science, you'll probably find it interesting, but be prepared for some demanding courses and the need to grasp complex concepts. Overall, I’d say it’s definitely a bit harder than average, but if you’re passionate about it, the struggle can be part of the adventure!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences.

Do Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates tend to make good money?

Alright, let's take a look at these geology and earth sciences grads. Some of them, like the Louisiana State University graduate who's now a Collections Manager at Harvard University, are seemingly set up for decent earnings in academia or research. The roles at Harvard indicate a significant leap in responsibility and compensation. On the flipped side, you have some who have taken on rather entry-level jobs, like a hotel receptionist or a server. Those positions typically don't pay very high, which makes you wonder about their financial situation, especially considering the rising costs of living today.

Generally, it seems like those who landed positions in environmental consulting, geological services, or government roles are probably pulling in a steady income, likely more than the average. Meanwhile, folks who seem to be bouncing between internships, part-time gigs, or low-paying jobs might not be making a ton. So, while there’s a good mix, it looks like financial stability varies quite a bit among these graduates, depending on their job positions and sectors they chose to pursue. It's definitely a mixed bag!

What buzzwords do Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences (ordered by the average relevance score of their Geological and Earth Sciences-Geosciences graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count