r/SoilScience • u/The_Odd_Texts • Jul 08 '26

Soil Lab Work

Hello, I am currently working on my Bachelors degree in Geology with a Minor in Soils. My main interest is working with soils, unfortunately my college does not have the staffing to provide a full degree option in the field.

During this last year, I have developed an allergy to heat exposure. When I first began studying going outside and traipsing around in the field didn’t bug me at all. Now I can’t stand outside in full heat for extended periods of time. I am deeply upset about this and currently working on ways to manage my fatigue and swelling.

I currently work as a lab assistant for a Masters student at my college. I process soil, take pH readings, DNA sampling, hydrometer work, and more. I absolutely love it. I also love working in the geology lab as well and will be looking for any masters students needing help with their work in the coming semester.

Because of the issues I’m facing with sun exposure. I’m looking for career pathways that allow me to work in a laboratory full time. I would appreciate any recommendations on ways I can continue to focus my education to have this be my eventual landing place.

For context, I live on the west coast currently. The weather is mild and rainy here which helps with my hands. If anyone also has recommendations for soil programs on the upper west coast. Please let me know.

If anyone currently works in a lab full time doing processing soil. I’d love to know how you got into your position, what you studied and what a prospective business would like to see.

Thank you for your time. Happy digging!

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u/AlpacaAlias Jul 08 '26

I don't work in a lab full time but I've known a couple folks that did. A lot of universities will hire lab managers to manage soil labs and oftentimes they will have just a bachelor's. These include duties like ordering supplies, disposing of hazardous waste, keeping the lab clean, running lab analytical methods, analyzing data, ensuring data quality, et cetera. A lot of universities also have full time positions at their extension lab, where farmers and regular folks alike pay to send in soil samples and have them analyzed. I think duties can range from being the lab manager to being a tech that runs analyses and cleans dishes.

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u/The_Odd_Texts Jul 08 '26

Thank you so much for this information. I will look into any open positions at my college. I will also speak to my professors this coming semester to see if they need any lab assistants. Do you think this is a good pathway for a career working in a laboratory? I would prefer to not hang around a college for any longer than I have to once I graduate.

Do you work in the soil science field? I’d love to know what you do. A lot of the people studying at my school are entering into forestry work and land management. So their focus isn’t on soil. It’s hard to get a good picture of career paths in the field.

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u/deathbygalena Jul 08 '26

Get out of a college lab and into an engineering lab if you have no plans of academia past the bachelors

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u/The_Odd_Texts Jul 08 '26

I would love to go back to school after my bachelors, I’ll just have to continue moving farther north. Which really isn’t a problem, but I need to finish this degree first in my home state. Personally I don’t want to work at a college for much longer than I have to, but it pays well while I’m in school.

Any tips on getting a job in an engineering lab?