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
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.
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.
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.
Chrissy Stover Wiederwohl, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University
The author describes a variety of careers in oceanography.
Government Employers
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.