Careers

Various companies, school districts and government agencies are interested in our graduates, with opportunities existing in environmental consulting, education, mineral and water resources, waste management, environmental protection, mined land reclamation, and soil conservation. Teachers receiving the Adolescence Earth Science degree and New York State Certification are immediately employable.

In addition to the resources listed below, talk with your professors and academic advisor about careers, internships and graduate school. They have experience, ideas, contacts and stories they would love to share with you.

Resources for Internship Seekers

This section is designed to help our students obtain professional experience through an internship. The first place to start your journey is at the SUNY Cortland Career Services Internship webpage. Their "Creating or Finding your own Opportunities" page has expert advice on how to find the right internship for you.

Our Environmental Geoscience majors are required to complete an internship, whereas it is an elective for the Geology and Adolescent Education Earth Science majors. Environmental Geoscience students need to work with the Environmental Science Coordinator, Dr. Li Jin, early in the process to ensure their internship choice meets the requirements for their program.

Internships in Geology, Environmental Geoscience and Earth Science

• USA Jobs Students  The starting place for students looking for government jobs  or internships.
• Scientists in Parks  Incredible and competitive internships and short-term employment opportunities in our National Parks. Applications open in December for following summer.
• Environmental Science Internships  A webpage with links to many Environmental Science resources.
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center  Research internships in Maryland. Housing provided.
• EarthScope  Summer Internship opportunities in Solid Earth Research.
• Student Conservation Association  Internship opportunities across the country.
• Lunar and Planetary Institute  Summer Internships in Texas.
• NASA Internship Program  That's right, you could work for NASA for a summer.

Resources for Graduate School Seekers

Many career options for geology students involve further education and involve a graduate degree; typically a Master's of Science degree for many industry positions or a Doctor of Philosophy degree for some industry and most academic positions. All of your professors went to graduate school, ask them for first-hand advice.

Thinking about graduate school in geology?

• Graduate Programs in the Geosciences hosted by Niche.  
• Check out U.S. World Report's ranking of geology graduate programs.

Resources for Geology Job Seekers

This section is designed to help Cortland Geology department graduates prepare for entering the work force, either in industry or in education. Students graduating from the SUNY Cortland Geology department are well prepared for a variety of careers.

Geoscience career information

• Bureau of Labor Statistics info on Geoscientists  Extensive information on careers in Geology and Environmental Geoscience.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics info on Environmental Scientists  Extensive information on careers in Environmental Science.
• Careers in the Geosciences  A site hosted by the American Geological Institute about careers in geosciences.

Geoscience job listings

• USA Jobs  U.S. Government job listings, including the United States Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other Department of the Interior jobs. Use Keywords such as Geologist, Physical Scientist, or Environmental Scientist in your search.
• PALEONET Jobs page  Mostly academic positions in paleontology but lists some graduate school opportunities and entry level positions.
• AWG Job Web the American Association of Women Geologists, site on geoscience jobs and profiles of women geoscientists.

Trying to find a teaching position?

• New York Education Jobs  Teaching positions in New York and certification information.
• Education Jobs Online

Other internet employment resources

• Monster.com   A very large database of positions in all fields. Definitely worth a look. You can also post your resume here.
• LinkedIn.com  The networking webpage.
• Indeed.com  A very large database of positions in all fields. Definitely worth a look. You can also post your resume here.