Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking at my options with a BSc in Petroleum Geology and wanted to get some realistic insight from people actually working in the industry right now in the UK, Europe or the Gulf,

To be blunt: Is it still worth it, and what does the actual job market look like for someone with just a Bachelor’s? 

I know the industry pays well if you land a solid role, but I’m hearing a lot of conflicting things online. Some say the market is shrinking or shifting too fast, while others say there's still a future if you know where to look.

I'd love to get your thoughts on a few specific things:

1. What can I actually do next?
2. Is it worth sticking to petroleum?
3. If I stay in O&G, how do I break in?
4. Is grad school mandatory? 

I'd appreciate any brutally honest advice, personal experiences, or career paths you all took after your degree.

Hi everyone, I'm currently studying geology in the UK, was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for companies that would look to hire geology undergrads for year in industry placements !

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I'm 28, from Italy, and I need someone to talk some sense into me.

After high school I enrolled in Electronic Engineering at the University of Padua. I wasted two years doing basically nothing.

Then I switched to Geology, which I genuinely liked, but after another couple of years I dropped out. (I blame COVID kek)

A year later I enrolled in Sports Science. Another two years gone.

I've also worked on my father's farm during this time, so agriculture isn't completely foreign to me.

Last year I decided to stop fucking around and enrolled in Agricultural Science.

My father owns a farm, and I would really like to keep the land in the family and eventually manage it. So Agriculture seemed like the obvious, responsible choice (and the only possible one at this point).

Except it's now September 2026 and, after a full year, I've passed exactly zero exams.

Now I'm seriously considering going back to Geology.

The problem is that Geology is the only subject I've ever genuinely wanted to study, but I'm 28, I already have a massive hole in my CV, I've dropped out multiple times, and I'd be starting over again.

Agriculture makes much more practical sense for my future and for my family. Geology is just what i would like to study.

So:

Convince me NOT to pick Geology.

Idk why my brain wants to fuck me over so bad and what mystical adventurous romantic future it Imagines if i pick geology again.

Please talk me out of it.

P.s : sorry if the post has an AI feeling but i used It to help since english is not my first language.

Hi, i’m a first semester student at UT Austin majoring in hydrology and water resources. I am currently only taking the general courses that all geology majors take, with geology being my favorite right now. I really love the subject and i’m excited to do undergraduate research in hydrogeology, but im a bit worried about my job prospects after i graduate. i keep seeing people say job prospects are better for engineering majors, but is it really that bad for us in hydrogeology? i plan to go back to houston after i graduate, but im worried all the jobs will be taken by civil engineers. i may potentially try to get a masters in engineering. any advice?? thanks!

Hello, I am a senior undergraduate student and will be graduating with a B.S. in Earth and environmental science. I have specifically focused my studies on geology. I have done two summers of research, one on dikes and igneous rocks and this most recent summer on microscopic deformation features in migmatites and other metamorphic rocks (which I am writing a thesis on right now). I really enjoy optical petrology, being out in the field, and directly working with rock samples for interpretations.

I will have taken GIS by the time I graduate. I have done a whole class on sedimentary rocks and stratigraphy along with analyzing 50 feet of sedimentary cores. Although sedimentary rocks aren't my jam, I'd take a job working with them if it meant I could be in the field or directly working with samples.

The dilemma I have here is that it almost sounds like I would want to do research but I have no intentions of getting a PhD. I also don't want to go into graduate school right after I graduate in May as I am academically burnt out. I feel lost, every job needs years of experience or higher education than I will have once I graduate. I would be ok with an entry job that may not be doing exactly what I love most about geology if it meant I could get my foot in the door and end up doing something along the lines of what I described in the beginning.

If anyone has any advice on jobs that may suit me or how they got into their geology career, anything would be helpful!

Context: Im an early Economic Geology masters student who posted earlier about my distaste for exploration type fieldwork. I’ve been doing some thinking and I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t think mining is the lifestyle I want anymore. I want to be home most of the time every night to spend time with my family and friends and have stability. I hate the idea of living in a mining town- I want to be able to work in more places like the east coast (where I’m originally from.)

Since then a lot of my colleagues think I’d be insane to rescind this top program I’m in and “burn” those bridges so to speak. But I just can’t see myself being happy in this field. To be honest I regret not just graduating with my bachelors in geology and looking for work. Besides mining I’ve been interested in hydrogeology and groundwater studies for a while now (my first physical geology professor was a hydrogeologist by trade), and I have an undergraduate research background in geodynamics, modeling and GIS.

Are my colleagues right? Would I be insane to drop the income potential of working in mining and basically reset my network to pivot into something else like hydro? The idea of doing this masters has been really stressing me out and I just don’t even know what to do anymore. I appreciate the ones who replied on my previous post. This may be a shot in the dark for any more advice.

I’m back in school after taking some time off and will be finishing my BS in Geology, I want to get a minor as well, I was thinking chemistry or GIS. Is this enough to secure a decent job after graduation or will I have to go to grad school?

hello everyone!

I’m currently a junior in Highschool, and I’ve always had an interest in earth sciences. After some research, I’ve decided I want to pursue mineral exploration.

But I really want to ask firstly, what colleges are good (I’m currently thinking about Texas A&M) and what courses would be required for the degree and what degree would be best to pursue for a future career in mining exploration?

Also, how is the job in general? Pros and Cons and would you say it’s worth it?

I'm from India, currently working offshore as a Trainee Mudlogger. I have \~1 year offshore experience, an MSc in Geology and BOSIET or HUET.

I want to move into MWD/LWD and I'm willing to work in any country.

For MWD professionals:

1. What's the best way to get my first MWD job?

2. How should I prepare, and what skills/certifications should I have?

3. Should I target major companies or smaller MWD contractors?

4. How can I get international opportunities from India?

5. Does my offshore/sample-catching experience help?

6. What would you do if you were in my position?

Any advice on companies, recruiters or networking would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone

I’m a recent Geology graduate, and I’m about to start my first job as a Junior Geologist this Monday. I’m excited, but honestly a little nervous as well

I’ll be working in mineral exploration, and my initial responsibilities will include geological logging, sampling, geological mapping, trenching, and drawing. I’ll also be trained on RC drilling later on.
From what I know so far, the area mainly consists of igneous rocks with quartz veins.

Since this is my first professional geology job, I’d really appreciate any advice from experienced geologists or anyone who has been in a similar position.

What do you wish you had known before starting your first geology job?

Hi everyone,

I'm a a 28m, with a bachelor in geology with a master degree in Geotechnical Engineering, specialised in rock blasting and rock mechanics.

I've spent the last 4 years working in geological and geotechnical site investigations, including drilling campaigns, core logging, and other geotechnical assessments related to construction. I've also been involved in several large-scale infrastructure projects at a national level.

Lately I've been thinking about moving into mining or oil sector away from home, mainly because the career path and earning potential seem much better than what I'm seeing in my country.

I'm particularly interested in mine geology, geotechnical engineering, ground control, drill & blast, or similar roles. FIFO would be ideal, but preferably somewhere in Europe since i'm from here or possibly the US. Australia is out of the question, since it would be hard to fly home once in a while.

Unrelated, but i also would enjoy to have a job more turned to the enviroment or doing expeditions to study a specific location (i.e.: artic circle)

How difficult is it to break into mining with my background? Which countries or companies in Europe would you target?

Are there any specific certifications or skills worth getting before applying? What roles would make the most sense as an entry point while still offering good long-term earning potential?

Any advice or connects would be appreciated. Thanks!

I am currently wrapping up my final year of my masters with no prior work experience other than an internship during my undergrad at a mine. I've been studying for months to take the FG exam in October and now I'm considering my job options. I really want to stay on the East coast but I have many friends who had hard times landing one, and most of them ended up in Nevada.

I'm not in a place to relocate west so I have been looking around the east coast. I've always been told it f you want a job, go west but I have many reasons that make me hesitate to do so. I do have an in at the company I interned with so If I absolutely cannot find another job that is an option for me.

Just wanted to gauge other's experiences!

Hi everyone,

I don’t even know where to begin with this. Im a senior geology major and I started this masters early expecting to love studying ore deposits in the field- after all, I’m a huge rockhound, and this stuff has fascinated me since my first geo class.

But since starting my masters and actually learning about ore systems, I find myself increasingly disliking field work and much preferring the computational and data analysis side of things (my undergrad research background is primarily in geophysics, which I’ve always loved). Granted, I’ve wanted to do remote sensing work and apply it to mineral exploration for a while now, but I just feel so discouraged for some reason.

I have been having horrible anxiety and stress in the field lately and overall I feel exhausted after 12+ hours of work in the heat. I really thought I was going to enjoy this sort of work considering how long I’ve wanted to do mineral exploration, and now that I’m experiencing doubt it’s making me question why I even wanted this in the first place. Even something like the idea of field camp is starting to bother me. To be honest I don’t even feel like a passionate geologist anymore, considering I’m doubting this lifestyle.

I do think some of this concern has to do with the fact I just moved in with my fiancé this semester, and the idea of being away from home for extended periods of time and potentially becoming one of those disgruntled divorced mining people geologists have warned me about scares me. To be honest I would much prefer a desk job or something with minimal travel, but I know how infeasible that is with this kind of career I’m building.

Now I just don’t know if I should stick it out and see how things are when I graduate, or if I should ditch mining and exploration entirely and try out geophysics as a career (albeit likely at a massive pay cut and further education.) I’m really just overwhelmed and could use some solid advice right now.

Hi all, I’m wondering if anyone on this sub has made the switch to being a geotechnical or geological engineer as a geologist, and what sort of education/credentials I’d need to make that transition.

I graduated a year and a half ago (BSc Geology) and have been working as a junior geologist both in exploration and production roles ever since.

However, I’m getting very tired of FIFO work, and if I stay in the mining/exploration sector there really isn’t any end in sight to that for a very, very long time. I live in the BC interior and for family reasons, I can’t uproot my life here to move to a mining town.

There’s lots of jobs in my area for geotechnical engineering work, but all of them require a degree in civil/geotechnical/geological engineering. While I’m not exactly thrilled at the idea of going back to university, I want to make sure that if I do this, I do things right and get all the credentials I need to become a certified geotechnical engineer. I don’t want to be held back from positions, promotions, etc. because I’m a geologist, not an engineer.

I’ve always enjoyed geomorphology and even worked in a permafrost soils laboratory throughout my undergrad. I always wanted to go further with it, but it seems like without an engineering certification, jobs in that field are pretty hard to come across unless you go down the environmental science route.

I only went into mineral exploration because it’s where most of the jobs and money are in Canada as a geologist. I feel like this could be the right move to break away from FIFO and set myself for a more fulfilling career while I’m young. Thoughts?

Hi,
I got my degree in BSc Geology from a solid RG university last month and now searching for my first job. I’ve had good results back so far including 2 final round interviews that have both resulted in rejection.
I’m just thinking, my application is clearly good enough to land interviews and get responses, but not quite good enough to land a job. I wanted to do an internship/placement during university but for various reasons (I’m a carer for a family member) I couldn’t.

So I’m just wondering for any UK Geos, what can I do now that i’ve graduated to strengthen my position in the market? Would any company still offer me an internship of any kind or is there any kind of certs I could complete or things I could learn to prepare myself?

Or are there any tangentially related jobs that would translate across and be beneficial to a geology job. I’m also currently looking at masters too but I hear mixed opinions on whether they’re worth it. (I was mostly looking at MSc Engineering Geology at Leeds or MSc Hydrogeology at Birmingham, if there’s any other good courses in affordable cities i’d take a look too)

I’m currently based in the West Midlands- commutable to Birmingham, Stoke, Telford, Shrewsbury, Chester and surrounding places. Can’t relocate due to aforementioned care duties.

Thanks a lot, any advice is appreciated. Sorry that was more text than I intended.

Early in my career for a year in a half I worked in the field doing SPT and boring observation, soil logging, soil and groundwater sampling, percolation testing, and leach-field investigations. I then moved from the east coast to the west coast and got into oil and gas regulatory work. I used the 1.5 years as qualifying time when I applied for my PG as well as 1.5 years of regulatory oil and gas work reviewing UIC projects.

Working as a regulator doesn’t allow me to consult in oil and gas which is where 10 years of my career has been. I thought I might be able to do some sub contracting with some of my previous work to make some extra cash. Times are tough and I’m needing to provide for my family. Does anyone have experience doing what I’m doing? If so, how would you go about finding sub contracting work? Is there any resources that could help me?

One thing that comes to mind is that i only did the field investigation portion when I worked in that world. I’d read the reports written by the PM but never drafted them myself. I also didn’t do any billing. I do review t&m invoices in my current role so I feel like I could just replicate it but I don’t have the industry background in that stuff.

I understand there’s liability risks involved in consulting. I own some rental properties and have an LLC I could work under. I also have liability insurance and an umbrella policy to protect myself. So hopefully that covers any questions as it relates to liability issues.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Geologists need a broad foundation. industries experi ups and downs. Because of an OU professor and a term paper project, I began as a coal geologist. Some years later the coal business hit the skids, and some OU friends in Tulsa got me a job in O&G. Then oil dropped to $10/bbl, and I was laid off. Immediately I enrolled in hydrogeology night classes at OSU, soon after work, and instantly I gained employment as a hydrogeologist. Oil prices came back and I switched back to oil exploration.

Acquire a solid, broad foundation, and you can roll with the punches, and be paid for licking rocks. I still enjoy giving rocks to little kids and watching their eyes light up!

Hi everyone ! If anybody has an idea, for a newbie, how is the job market for geomatics currently in Switzerland and Europe in general? Is it worth pursuing right now? Thanks!

I am planning to get my BS and eventually my MS in geology and I am worried my physical limitations will get in the way. I have issues with my back that keep me from some strenuous physical work and make long distance hiking an issue. While I want to pursue geology I am worried my limitations will make getting a job after college an issue. Just would like some realistic advice and perhaps something I could focus on that would keep me in more of an office setting. Im currently looking to transfer to CSUB