Do you just love planet Earth? Does looking at interesting rock formations, studying the history of the world, and doing in-depth studies of mineral layers excite you?
If so, then we’ve got the perfect career for you to consider: geological engineering.
Simply put, the geological engineer career path is perfect for someone with technical aptitude who wants to put their smarts towards understanding the science behind the world we live in.
If you’re considering a career in geology engineering, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to become a geological engineer.
Get a Geological Engineer Education
The first step to becoming a geological engineer is to get the right education for this career path. Like all other engineering career paths, you will need a specialized geology engineering degree.
There are lots of different options for places to get an education. But as a general rule, you want to pick an institution that has a great reputation specifically for its geology engineering program. Even if the school has a great reputation for other engineering degrees or technical subjects, geological engineering is a rather unique vocation and requires another level of expertise.
Over the course of the education program, you will be exposed to all different kinds of subject material in the geology field. Be sure to take additional elective classes in the specific fields of geology engineering that interest you the most.
It might be expensive to get this degree, but remember that many engineers make north of $100K once they have lots of experience.
Increase Work Experience
Once you have an engineering education under your belt, it’s time for you to start gaining some practical work experience. Most places that hire geology engineers want you to have at least some experience coming in. The ideal way to get that experience is to do internships while you’re yet still in school.
To get internships, network as much as you can. Talk to alumni, professors, and anyone in your personal circles who work in the geology field. The internships you get might be unpaid.
But having that experience on your resume will ensure that your future applications don’t go to waste. Be sure to have this long-term mindset while you are working your internships, and focus on building skills.
Once you’re in a geology engineering role, you’ll likely be required to become a PE shortly. Make sure to do professional engineer continuing education to get your certification. This will give you added credibility as an engineer.
How to Become a Geological Engineer, Made Simple
Armed with this guide on how to become a geological engineer, you should now be far better equipped to carve out a career for yourself in this industry than before.
For more engineering advice, be sure to take some time to check out the rest of the articles available to read on the website!
