Logan Knoper '16
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the classes that I took, my favorite memory at GVSU was attending the sporting events like soccer games and football tailgates with friends.
Geology Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore our geology academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Geology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Geology Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Geology Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine standing on the edge of an active volcano in Iceland, studying plate tectonics where the Earth is literally pulling apart. Picture yourself analyzing rock formations in the Australian outback or mapping ancient fossils in the deserts of Tanzania. Imagine learning from geologists across the globe, each offering unique perspectives on Earth's dynamic systems. Studying abroad gives geology students the chance to experience diverse landscapes, gain hands-on fieldwork experience, and understand geological processes in real-world settings far beyond the classroom.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Geology Career Spotlights
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Staff Geologist - Fleis & Vandernbrink,
- Environmental Quality Analyst - Department of Environmental Quality
- Geospatial Technician - Spicer Group
- Project Coordinator - Mateco Drilling Company
- Environmental Technician - City of Kalamazoo
- Mug Logger - Reservoir Group
- Geosteerer - Four Point Energy
- Environmental Compliance Manager - Kent County Department of Public Works
- Engineering Geologist - Mark T. Mitchell Ltd
- Appraisal Technician - Muskegon County
- Lead Wellsite Geologist - Sunburst Consulting
- Customer Service Representative - Farmers Insurance Group
- Environmental Consultant - Perenzo Environmental Services
- Mine Geologist - The Doe Run Company
- Project Manager - Environmental Resource Management
- Geologist - Barr Engineering
- Landfill Remediation Technician - Kent County
- Science Teacher - Grand Rapids Montessori High School
- Geophysics PhD Student - Northwestern University
- Well Test Operator - Weatherford
Attend Events
Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
GVSU Winter 2026 Career and Internship Fair
February 19, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...
2026 GVSU Health Professional Graduate School Fair
March 25, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Interested in exploring educational opportunities beyond your bachelor’s degree? Thinking of attending graduate or professional school for healthcare? Save the date for the Health Professional...
View More Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Consider joining the Education, Nonprofit, and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
You’ve uncovered the layers of Earth's history as an undergraduate in geology, and now you’re ready to dig deeper. Graduate school offers the tools and specialization needed to turn your curiosity into expertise.
- Master of Science (MS) in Geology: This degree is perfect for students looking to advance their knowledge in areas like mineralogy, hydrology, or geophysics. It often includes fieldwork and research, preparing you for roles in environmental consulting, energy industries, or government agencies.
- PhD in Geology: If you're driven by research and want to explore topics like tectonic processes, paleoclimatology, or Earth system science at the highest level, a PhD is essential. This path is ideal for those pursuing careers in academia, research institutions, or high-level industry positions.
- Interdisciplinary Programs: Many graduate programs now integrate geology with environmental science, data analysis, or planetary science. These options are a great fit if you’re interested in tackling global challenges like climate change, natural resource management, or space exploration.
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.