What are are some good companies to work for with a BS in Geology and eventually a PhD in Geochemistry?
I am finishing up my BS in geology and am planning to attent graduate school to get my PhD in Geochemistry or Geology. Im looking for companies or Firms to work for afterwards…. any suggestions?? I love what I do, but I do want to be able to pay the bills….
I’d highly recommend you look into companies interested in alternative energy sources, a large number of governments are looking to spend a lot of money on geothermal energy as an alternative energy source. In fact the whole of Iceland is run on geothermal energy. Alternatively you could look at enviromental risk consultancies, MARSH are the leaders in this field.
Oil comapnies –
Mining companies –
Civil Engineering companies –
Governments
If your main goal is to pay the bills (and why shouldn’t it be) I’m not sure a PhD is the best option. A doctorate takes a long time to get and there is no guarantee you’ll be successful. Things can get bogged down in department politics, research budgets, grants, etc. But, if that’s what you want then go for it. It’s a powerful degree that will open a lot of doors.
In geochem or geology there really is no limit to what you could do. The environmental field is always growing but in my experience doesn’t pay very well, at least at an entry level. Oil companies pay very well but things my be very different in the 3-5 years it takes you to finish your degree. Mining pays well too but stability is dependent on what you’re mining and entry level work can be pretty grim. I speak from experience on mining and oil.
As petroleum reserves dwindle oil companies will be focusing more on alternate sources. I suspect they already have extensive divisions dedicated to geologic solutions (I know Exxon does). We’ll always need mining for the basics (iron, copper, nickel, etc.).
For specific companies there are really too many to list. Take a look at geology.com/jobs. They have lists broken out by specialty as well as news on current salary and staffing levels.
Good luck and stick with it!
The options will be large with a doctorate in geochemistry. In addition to the tradition resource, environmental, and generic earth sciences careers, you will (should) have the knowledge to work in materials sciences, generally inorganic applications like ceramics and specialized materials (microchips is an example). Depends a bit on your interests and talents.
There aren’t a lot of schools that actually award a doctorate in geochemistry and they are pretty well all top of the line places, and their graduates are all over the place. You WILL have a very broad and useful knowledge base that can be used to cross domains, if that is what you would like to do. Paying the bills will only be an issue if you choose it to be for other personal reasons.
I have a BS in geology with an emphasis area in geochemistry and I work in the environmental consulting industry. I’d recommend looking at environmental or engineering firms, since geochemistry can be especially useful in those areas. Too many companies to name out there… CH2M Hill, Tetra Tech, URS, Black & Veatch, Arcadis, etc… (and no, I don’t work for any of those)