Geoscience Careers and Salaries
This material was originally created for
On the Cutting Edge: Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Course: Introduction to Earth
80 students maximum
The Activity
I ask students about their majors. Most of them have not yet declared a major. It gives me an opportunity to pitch the Geology major and GIS minor. I talk about opportunites in the field and salaries of GIS technicians. Many sit up and take notice. I also bring information about the GIS minor to my class and many students pick up this information on their way out of class.
Additional Information
I also collect a sheet of paper with information about the students - their standing, why they are enrolled in my class etc. Those students who list an interest in Geology, outdoor activities, or related activities get an email from me and an invitation to come and chat about the department and degree programs. I pursue this throughout the semester (comments on homework, tests, quizzes). I have successfully managed to recruit at least 10% of my class each semester I teach to become majors or GIS minors or to try another class.
