From: tcsmith@cdmg-hq.UUCP (Ted Smith)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.geology
Subject: Careers in Geology??     
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 19:59:01 PST
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This message was originally addressed to LETTICH@VAX.SONOMA.EDU
and a blind carbon copy was sent to you.
                    ----------------------------------------
L>      I'm a sophomore thinking of majoring in geology and would
 >like some advice.  Geology has been an interest of mine since I took
 >an introductory geology course my first year in college.  Since then
 >I have taken a structural and marine geology course to get better acquainted
 >with the field.  From what I've learned and experienced I think I would
 >enjoy geology as a career.  But I'm a little concerned.  Can I be a geologist
 >and still maintain my pro-environmental stance?

You betcha!

Nobody says you have to become a full-blown capitalistic exploitationist
to be a geologist!

Let's look at the kinds of work that our agency (California Division of
Mines and Geology) and some others use geologists for....  In CDMG, we
have geologists and engineering geologists who compile regional geologic
and tectonic framework maps; map landslide hazards, fault-rupture
hazard, earthquake shaking and liquefaction hazards; classify lands for
mineral potential; review environmental documents, school site and
hospital site reports, general plan safety elements, and proposed
reclamation plans; help prepare mine-land reclamation plans; prepare
earthquake scenarios for emergency response planning; document the
geology of strong-motion instrument sites; and aid in post-disaster
evaluations that involve earthquakes and landslides.  And I've
undoubtedly forgotten some.

In our sister agency, the Division of Oil and Gas, geologists (and
petroleum engineers) monitor the performance of the petroleum industry
(including the protection of aquifers and surface waters).

In California, other State agencies such as the Department of Water
Resources, State Energy Commission, Department of Health Services,
Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), Seismic Safety Commission, and Department of Parks and
Recreation also employ engineering geologists in a variety of roles such
as park planning, resource protection, hazardous waste clean-up, dam
safety evaluations, etc.

In most cases, with the possible exception of park planning and regional
studies, private industry employs as many or more geologists in work
related to that described above. Geologists are involved in enforcing
mine-land reclamation requirements, reviewing engineering geology
studies, etc., for local agencies.  Then, of course, there are all the
federal agencies that employ geologists (EPA, USGS, US Army Corps of
Engineers, BLM, USFS, and BuMines, just to suggest a few). And we
haven't even touched on those that hire seismologists, geophysicists,
etc.

As you can see, you don't have to work for a mining or petroleum
company.  But, if you want to work in those sectors, there are plenty of
responsible mining and petroleum firms that pride themselves in working
to minimize pollution and other environmental damage.  If the
environment is important to you, you can always ask a potential employer
about his/her company policy and environmental programs before
applying or agreeing to work for them.

Hope this helps...

Ted Smith
California Division of Mines and Geology
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Newsgroups: sci.geo.geology