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Career Overview

Careers in Earth and Environmental Sciences

We rely on the earth for our habitat and for natural resources that are essential for our survival and our modern society.  Human activities impact that same habitat and those key resources.  Geoscientists work to understand the earth, to monitor these impacts, and to manage the environment and our natural resources.  Geoscientists are expected to be in high demand in the years to come, and will be solving problems important to our communities.

Figure from AGI Currents #112: 2015 Median Salaries for Geoscience-Related Occupations 

Some of the most common geoscience careers include those listed below and range from working for private companies to local, state, or federal governments.  Click on each to see a profile of a geoscientist working in that field.  Check out the Geoscientist Profiles to see more  on specific kinds of positions available.

Environmental Monitoring and Remediation

Energy Resources

Natural Resources

Land Management

Natural Hazards

Weather and Climate

Training in geoscience is important for a career as a geoscientist.  However, a variety of careers can benefit from training in the earth sciences, providing critical problem solving skills and an important knowledge base centered around the earth, natural resources, natural hazards, and the environment.  This can include careers in business, policy, writing, education, art, law, medicine, and more!

Illustrator: Kathleen Cantner. Content: Heather Houlton & Abigail Seadler

 From https://www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/workforce-infographic

1American Geoscience Institute Currents #93: Explanation of the predicted geoscience workforce shortage. https://www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/currents/explanation-predicted-geoscience-workforce-shortage

2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geoscientists.
 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm