The new program consists of a solid background in traditional geology, combined with an emphasis in Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology, Environmental Geochemistry, and Environmental Geophysics. All these factors combine to create new and exciting job opportunities for students at the OU School of Geology and Geophysics. The environmental field is only about 20 years old and early in its growth cycle. As the industry matures, it will continue to create tens of thousands of new jobs for geologists and geophysicists. Hiring trends support this projection.
Opportunities are generous for entry-level candidates.
The petroleum Industry currently is expecting a shortage of qualified geologists and geophysicists for the next five to ten years according to a recent report by the American Association of Professional Geologists. The perception that the oil business and all related fields like Geology and Geophysics are professions without a future is very far from true. The AAPG's prediction of a strong job market for petroleum geologists is already proving to be true for recent OU grads. Fifty-nine percent are working for major oil companies, and 11 percent are working as independent consultants. The resources that will be needed ten years from now have yet to be developed.