September 10, 2019
New geology curriculum provides career-focused learning tracks
What can you do with a degree in geology? You can do lots of things, actually. Students in the geology department can now select among three learning tracks that position them to work on some of society's most important problems, including issues related to water, sustainability, and production of energy and mineral resources:
Geology track — explores the spectrum of Earth sciences, from fossils to volcanoes. Provides students with a wide range of career options including jobs in the environmental, energy, or mining industries, government jobs and more.
Energy and natural resources track — focused on exploration and extraction of energy and mineral resources. Great choice for students interested in working in the oil and gas industry or the mining industry.
Environmental geosciences track — focused on processes that shape the landscape and control the quality and availability of water and soil resources. Ideal for students interested in working in the environmental industry.
The job outlook for our majors is excellent. Employment growth is higher than average for all occupations. As population climbs, society needs more of the resources geologists help provide including water to grow our food, fuel for our homes and vehicles, and metals for computers, smartphones, and much more. In return for these contributions, geologists are well paid. The median annual wage for geoscientists was $89,850 in 2017, higher than all other sciences, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you would like to discuss the skills we can help you develop and career options you can pursue with a geology degree, please contact Matthew Kirk at mfkirk@k-state.edu. You also can contact Aida Farough, undergraduate academic advisor, at afarough@k-state.edu, or any of our other faculty.