Initial Publication Date: June 8, 2017

Employer Presentations

Geoscience employers at SAGE 2YC workshops have shared information about geoscience careers in their fields, the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that they are looking for in employees, and advice and suggestions for potential employees. The presentations are given below as well as highlights from their presentations.

Jump Down To: Government Employers | Industry Employers

General Employment Presentations

Careers in the Geosciences in Texas
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Careers in the Geosciences in Texas (PowerPoint 1.9MB Jun5 13)
Heather Beatty, P.G., Senior Environmental Investigator,Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The author listed examples of state jobs in Texas and gave field and office knowledge and skills needed for these jobs.


Technology in Geosciences
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Technology in Geosciences (PowerPoint 2.5MB Dec2 12)
James (Jim) Conrad, Faculty Adviser for the UNC-Charlotte Marine Technology Society Student Section and professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
The presentation included information about the Marine Technology Society's student ROV competition and different type of jobs that involve marine technology.


Educating Indispensable Geospatial Professionals for the 21st Century
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Educating Indispensable Geospatial Professionals for the 21st Century (PowerPoint 2.2MB Jul19 12)
Tora Johnson, University of Maine at Machias 
The presentation includes information about the needs for a geospatial workforce in Maine and the design of an educational program to meet those needs.


Careers in Oceanography
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Careers in Oceanography (PowerPoint 13.6MB Jun5 13)
Chrissy Stover Wiederwohl, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University 
The author describes a variety of careers in oceanography.


Government Employers

Geosciences at JPL (Acrobat (PDF) 5.6MB May16 13)
Richard Alvidrez, Director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory SIRI program
Dr. Alvidrez describes several programs available to help 2YC students be competitive in the JPL workplace: Student Independent Research Internship (SIRI) and JPL Undergraduate Scholars (JPLUS) Program.

JPL Community College Resources


Geotechnical Employment at a USGS Water Science Center
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Geotechnical Employment at a USGS Water Science Center (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 734kB Jun26 13)
Rick Dinicola, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Water Science Center 
Many opportunities for 2YC graduates are in hydrologic data collection. Knowledge, skills, and abilities include background in math and science, a passion for working outdoors, and additional specialty skills and interests that could add to the specific USGS program.


USGS Hydrologic Technician
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USGS Hydrologic Technician (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 4.4MB Dec2 12)
Jerald (Boo) Robinson, Chief of the U.S. Geological Survey Charlotte Field Office 
The author describes the types of field work done by technicians at the USGS and gives suggestions for internships and jobs at the USGS. The attributes they are looking for in employees include: self-starter, dedicated, motivated, and the ability and desire to be part of a team.


Knowledge Skills and Attitudes Needed for a Successful Career as a Geoscientist Technician in the Federal Goevrnment
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Knowledge Skills and Attitudes Needed for a Successful Career as a Geoscientist Technician in the Federal Goevrnment (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 399kB Jun5 13) 
Raymond Slade, Jr., retiredU.S. Geological Surveyhydrologist and Adjunct Professor of Environmental Technology, Austin Community College  
The author lists technician jobs available at the USGS as well as attitudes, knowledge, and skills that students need to cultivate to be successful at the USGS. Attitudes include a keen attention to detail, the ability to follow complicated procedures, the desire and ability to learn and discover, curiosity about the natural world, and ability to work in a team environment.Knowledge and skills includue basic geology, computer skills, chemistry, physics, geography, GIS, and math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry).


Industry Employers

Mudlogging: The Needs of the Job
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Mudlogging: The Needs of the Job (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 712kB Jun5 13)
Stephen W. Grimes, Empirica - The Surface Logging Company 
This presentation describes the working conditions in the job of mudlogging. Desirable attributes for this type of job include knowledge of math, geology, chemistry, physics, computers, communication; mechanical aptitude; responsible and self-guided.


Knowledge Skills and Attitudes Needed for Entry-Level Geoscience Employment
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Knowledge Skills and Attitudes Needed for Entry-Level Geoscience Employment (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 1MB Jun5 13)
Paula Jo Lemonds, P.E., P.G., Water Resources Engineer,HDR Engineering 
The author offered the following suggestions: Work hard knowing that quality is important. Realize that no one owes you anything. Do what you love; Love what you do!— Join a professional organization!—


AEG Geotechnical Careers 2012
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AEG Geotechnical Careers 2012 (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 4.9MB Jun26 13)
Kathy Troost, University of Washington and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists 
This presentation lists desirable employee qualities: engaging and energetic; flexible in terms of tasks, travel, and hours, someone who is an independent worker and a team player, responsible, capable and competent. Desirable skills include the following: computer savvy, GIS a bonus, strong math background, good communication skills, field experience, 40-hour OSHA training, preparation for licensing. She emphasized the power of networking.