University of Washington College of the Environment ESS Home

Student Services Careers Page

What can you do with an Earth and Space Science degree?

A lot! The broad, interdisciplinary field of earth sciences offers careers in many areas, including resource management, environmental protection, urban and rural planning, and geotechnical consulting. An ESS degree equips students with analytical skills, problem solving skills, communication skills, experience in teamwork, and solid grounding in science -- all valuable in today's job market.

Types of Careers

An ESS degree can lead to a variety of careers. For example, a petroleum geologist may explore for oil and natural gas resources and a geochemist may investigate major and trace elements in ground water. Here is just a sample of careers in the geosciences:

  • Astrobiologist
  • Economic Geologist
  • Elementary Science Teacher
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Forest Ranger
  • Geochemist
  • Geodesist
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geophysicist
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Hydrologist
  • Marine Advisor
  • Marine Geologist/Physicist
  • Mineralogist
  • Land Use Planner
  • Landscape Architect
  • Mining Engineer
  • Paleoclimatologist
  • Paleontolgoist
  • Parks and Natural Resource Manager
  • Peace Corps Worker
  • Petroleum Engineer/Geologist
  • Planetary Geologist
  • Pollution Control Specialist
  • Secondary Science Teacher
  • Sedimentologist
  • Seismologist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Structural Geologist
  • Surveyor
  • Science Writer
  • Urban Planner
  • Volcanologist
  • Water Quality Control Technician

Internships

Students can learn about internships in the public sector (non-profit, government, education) by emailing the Carlson Center at leader@u.washington.edu .

Also, students can learn about internship opportunities in business and industry by visiting HuskyJobs at the UW center for Career Services website:

https://washington-csm.symplicity.com/students/

Career Links

Geoscience Career Resources

Government Agencies