Geology

A geology degree sets you up for a career within the energy, environmental or engineering sectors and related work experience can help to give you the edge when job hunting

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Engineering geologist
• Environmental consultant
• Geochemist
• Geophysicist
• Geoscientist
• Geotechnical engineer
• Hydrographic surveyor
• Hydrogeologist
• Mudlogger
• Palaeontologist
• Wellsite geologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Drilling engineer
• Energy engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Minerals surveyor
• Quarry manager
• Sustainability consultant

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Field work experience can be helpful, both in securing a job and finding out what career you want. This can be done through a degree that offers a year out in industry or by finding your own placements.

Environment agencies or local authorities may offer related work experience or volunteer opportunities. You could also contact energy companies to find out about available summer placements or internships. More information on how and where to secure work experience is available from The Geological Society.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Many geology graduates enter professions directly related to their degree. Popular roles include exploration and production, water supply, environmental engineering and geological surveying. Other areas include environmental planning, geo-conservation, hydrogeology, teaching and communication.

Employment is often found within:

• the oil, gas and petroleum sector
• the groundwater industry
• environmental consultancies
• civil engineering and construction companies.

Other employers include the British Geological Survey (BGS), the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities, museums and government organisations.

Overseas work in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada can be a common feature of careers in geology. Some experienced professionals may also become self-employed consultants.

Find information on employers in energy and utilities, engineering and manufacturing, environment and agriculture, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

You'll develop a specific knowledge of geology related to your programme of study and module choices. The practical field work you carry out as part of your degree equips you with expertise in field and laboratory investigations.

Transferable skills from your course that can be used in many careers include:

• skills in observation, data collection, analysis and interpretation
• the ability to prepare, process and present data
• the ability to handle information in a range of different mediums, such as textual, numerical, oral, or graphical data
• written and verbal communication skills
• report writing skills
• problem-solving skills and lateral thinking
• self-motivation and resilience
• teamworking skills and the ability to work on your own initiative.

Further study

Further study is a popular option for geology graduates. Taking a relevant MSc course may be helpful if you're interested in getting into a particular field of geology, such as mining engineering, engineering geology or the minerals industry.

For example, taking an MSc in petroleum geoscience is an option for those wanting to get into the petroleum industry. Other examples of postgraduate courses include:

• earth sciences
• hydrogeology
• nuclear decommissioning
• petroleum engineering
• petroleum geophysics
• waste management.

A small number of students continue onto PhDs. By studying at postgraduate level, you'll develop your specialist knowledge and research and communication skills.

Further study is also needed for a move into professions such as law, teaching, librarianship or journalism. For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in geology.

What do geology graduates do?

Three of the top five jobs held by geology graduates include natural and social science professionals (12%), conservation and environment professionals (8%) and engineering professionals (7%). 

Find out what other graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• The Geological Society
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)