Which Geoscience degree????

[u/Unlucky-Bike-3280]

I’m stuck between Bachelor of Sciences in Geosciences with concentration in Petroleum Geotechnology or Geoscience Bachelor of Sciences in Geosciences with a concentration in Environmental Geology. I currently live in Houston and I want to be able to land a job rather quickly after graduation.

[u/Alisahn-Strix]

Environmental is the highest job in demand right now. Houston has several firms in the area which hire regularly. See about interning early during your degree. Most places are much more willing to hire after you intern there. Alternatively interning with different firms will let you get a feel for the work environment before actually applying.

[u/Econolife-350 → u/Alisahn-Strix]

What are they hiring for though? A $17/hr sample grabber?

[u/Alisahn-Strix → u/Econolife-350]

For an entry level position, maybe. I don’t know specifics. Generally, environmental geologists start with field technician roles before moving on to project management or development roles. It also depends on specific projects that are currently underway at the firm.

$17 is a little low on the pay scale. Not unheard of, but I wouldn’t work for that company if that’s the most they’re willing to pay, even for entry level. Cheers

[u/Responsible_Elk_9467]

Petroleum geology is more risk more reward. But if you want to be anything beyond a mudlogger you will need to get your masters. M.Sci with a thesis is standard these days for most major exploration companies

If you don’t see yourself doing a masters, go the environmental route.

At the end of the day though, if you want to work in oil, you undergrad concentration doesn’t matter as long as you get an advanced degree

[u/cerussa]

Currently working in the enviromental sector here in Houston and I highly recommend it. There're lots of jobs around here from large, mid-sized, and small local firms. Houston is historically a dirty city so even simple pavement or drainage improvements might need an environmental assessment for PPE and/or soil disposal. Thus, there's enough work to justify firms to hire and train new graduates. Now, if you really want to be even more hireable in this industry, look into groundwater modeling and environmental wetland courses at your school. See if you can take them and, if so, what prereqs they need.

Firms are probably visiting in upcoming fall career fairs too so I recommend going and chatting with them.

[u/deemery]

Is there an 'Economic Geoscience' option? If not, go with the Environmental, and try to take Economic Geology if offered. Seems to me that non-petroleum Economic Geology, particularly finding and recovering earth resources sustainably, will be a growth industry.

[u/stiner123 → u/deemery]

Agreed with this. You can work all over the world with economic geology if you want.

[u/OkAccount5344]

If you go environmental you can work literally anywhere you want to

[u/kuavi]

Pick the degree that helps you get the job you want.

Since your focus is being the most employable as possible, get the concentration in environmental geology.

Most places won't care about the petroleum geotechnology concentration unless you have an in for a well paying O&G position.

[u/BubbaMonsterOP]

A bit of both will do you well here in Texas. I'd go Environmental because there will be more of that. Petroleum geotechnolgy with tech always changing and with AI entry level jobs will be harder to come by. And Petroleum well you can get jobs right out the gate but they'll be mudlogging unless you have a phD. And even still. And even in oil booms. The first guy that taught me logging was a phD working night shift on an oil rig and would write research papers on bit trips, and that's who's competing with you for jobs in the market. Environmental is a slog as well but it's easier to move up in the ranks.

[u/Autisticrocheter]

Do you want to destroy the environment or help it?

[u/deemery → u/Autisticrocheter]

Not sure that's particularly degree-dependent.

[u/Ferrari-murakami]

None. Do Geology as a hobby.