GeoCareers

Welcome to GeoCareers

The GeoCareers program is one of GSA's top initiatives for helping students and early career professionals cultivate a fulfilling career path.

This year the program will offer both a GeoCareers Day (an event that includes lunch and offers opportunities to learn from geoscience professionals and ask lots of questions) and a GeoCareers Corner (a permanent space in the Convention Center that provides programs on career pathways, how to get a job and grow your career, mentorship opportunities, résumé clinics, networking, and more!).

Young people with conference badges pose for a group photo.

GeoCareers Day

Sun., 22 Sept.

Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom D

If you are entering the job market, supporting someone who is, or just want more information on the types of non-academic geoscience careers in industry or with the federal government, you’ll want to attend this series of events. Registration is required and there is a $20 fee (which includes lunch). Sign up online when you register for the meeting.

Before you jump into the job-search process, gain an understanding of the current geoscience employment trends and projections. Presenters will also review the fundamentals of crafting a winning résumé and how to best utilize the USAJOBS database for applications for federal employment.

Network with both agency and company representatives to ask your career questions. Learn about each unique work culture and types of internships and careers available.

Meet with mentors from industry, government, and academia at roundtables during the GeoCareers Day events. The mentors will answer questions, offer advice about career plans, and comment on job opportunities within their fields.

Representatives from government and industry sectors will answer questions and offer advice in preparation for a career in these fields.

 

GeoCareers Corner

GeoCareers Corner

Sun.-Tues., 22-24 Sept., 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom E

Everyone registered for GSA Connects 2024 is welcome to attend these GeoCareers events. These events will all be held in the GeoCareers Corner in the Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom E, unless otherwise noted.

Sun., 22 Sept.

Learn more about GSA's Student Advisory Council and how you can get involved. Network with GSA student representatives and fellow student members. Learn about student leadership experiences in the geosciences.

Review will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Show up early to secure your 30-minute consultation. Bring two copies of your résumé.

Mentoring will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up early to secure your 30-minute consultation.

Hear from experts about how to prepare and publish papers. GSA science editors share valuable advice for early-career scientists. Get more information.

All are invited; food and beverages will be provided. Join your colleagues and Acting GSA President Christopher (Chuck) M. Bailey for 45 minutes before the address for movie-themed food, medal displays, a newly elected fellows photo shoot with the GSA president, and a special Hollywood appearance.

Are you thinking about applying to graduate school but not sure what to expect? Join us for this workshop to learn about typical timelines for applications, explore the different types of graduate programs, learn how to craft CVs, get tips for writing statements of purpose, and so much more! This workshop is complementary to geogradapp.com, a website designed to reveal the unspoken rules behind applying to graduate school in the geosciences in the U.S.

Learn how to craft, sharpen and deliver messages about your research for a variety of audiences, including media, policymakers, donors and others. Special guest trainers include Raymond Zhong of the New York Times, Kirk Siegler of National Public Radio, paleontologist Gabriel-Philip Santos of Cosplay for Science and PBS EONS, and UC Davis geosciences Professor Nicholas Pinter. It is led by science communications specialist Kat Kerlin of UC Davis.

This informal gathering begins with remarks from a few key women speakers who will address issues faced by women in geology. A networking session follows, providing time for sharing ideas and getting to know other women geoscientists.

Mon., 23 Sept.

This session presents students and faculty information on what is required for a career outside of academia, how academic departments can assist students, and personal stories and career tips from a diverse group of industry, consulting, and government geologists.

This informal gathering will include remarks from representatives of several non-profits who have activities of interest to early career professionals. There will be time for networking and sharing ideas on how these organizations can best serve you.

Join geographer and GIS professional Dr. Joseph Kerski for a lively discussion on the future of geotechnologies in geoscience, and how you can chart your own future with exciting, rapidly evolving 2D and 3D tools. Modern GIS is open, web-based, powerful, and straightforward to use, enabling you to make wiser decisions about the Earth using spatial analysis, field data collection tools, mapping and visualization, and communicating your results with dashboards, instant apps, and interactive story maps.

This reception provides students and early career professionals with an exciting opportunity to network with more than 40 geoscience professionals. The mentors will answer questions, offer advice about career plans, and comment on job opportunities within their fields.

Sometimes it can feel like science is a second language, even when talking to peers, let alone the public. This panel brings together some of the nation’s best science journalists to explore how reporters and scientists can use storytelling to bridge worlds and connect earth science to the public. It offers a behind-the-curtain peek at the realities of science journalism and how scientists and reporters can best work together. Panelists include Raymond Zhong of the New York Times, Kirk Siegler of National Public Radio, and Gabriel-Philip Santos of PBS Eons and Cosplay for Science. Moderated by UC Davis science writer Kat Kerlin.

Mentors and students: we want to hear from you! Join us for an informal focus group session during the Geological Society of America meeting to provide input on best practices for mentoring in the field. Anyone is welcome to join! Feedback will be incorporated into a workshop that is funded by the NSF EPSCOR BESST Program (Award number 1003667) to develop training speci­fically for those who are mentoring students in fi­eld environments.

Want to see what other Geology Clubs are up to? Join the Geology Club Meet-Up and chat with other representatives about their activities, goals, and accomplishments.

Tues., 24 Sept.

Learn about global licensure and certification from U.S. presenters and several people from around the globe. Geoscientists may be required to have a license, professional certification, or credential to document their competency and work in many parts of the world. Students and early career professionals need to know of these requirements and capture the benefits that will contribute to their success. Faculty also need to know about licensure and certification requirements to further the success of their students after graduation. Join our U.S. and international presenters as they discuss this process and answer your questions.

Explore and apply the basic principles of science communication with fun group exercises, one-on-one guidance, and tips from world-renowned geoscience communicators. Come meet new people eager to expand their skills, and learn to think outside the box together!

Join the HPGD for a luncheon celebrating students and their contributions to the field of history and philosophy of geology.

Mentors and students: we want to hear from you! Join us for an informal focus group session during the Geological Society of America meeting to provide input on best practices for mentoring in the field. Anyone is welcome to join! Feedback will be incorporated into a workshop that is funded by the NSF EPSCOR BESST Program (Award number 1003667) to develop training speci­fically for those who are mentoring students in fi­eld environments.

How can diverse thinking transform the way we communicate in the geosciences? Dr. Haydon Mort (Geologize) will kick off this one-hour interactive session by exploring this thought-provoking question, emphasizing the crucial role of varied perspectives in enhancing communication strategies. You’ll learn how connecting the dots from different viewpoints fosters creativity, enabling us to tackle novel problems more effectively. Building on this foundation, Haydon will share practical examples of how diverse thinking helps present complex scientific ideas to the general public in an intuitive and engaging manner. By the end of this session, you will have leveraged diverse thinking to strengthen your capacity to convey geoscientific concepts clearly and impactfully. Join us to discover how embracing diversity can revolutionize your communication approach and elevate your impact in the geosciences.

Join us for this opportunity to meet with professionals from a variety of agencies, institutions, and companies for discussions about career paths in the many fields of environmental and hydrogeology.

Please join U.S. Geological Survey Director Dave Applegate and USGS Mission Area leaders for a presentation on the USGS and our science priorities followed by a Q&A discussion on hiring and careers.

Join this lecture series for insights on global water and environmental challenges.

Join us for a great time of mixing and mingling of students, faculty, and professionals in an informal setting with food and beverages provided. Students will have several opportunities to win great prizes while playing some fun games.

 

Learn More

GeoCareers programs are also active at GSA Section Meetings and provide resources to students and early career professionals.

Learn more about GeoCareers