Careers & Alumni
You will graduate Humboldt Geology with the skills you need to begin your career in geosciences.
Career opportunities include positions with local, state, and federal government scientific and resource management agencies, geotechnical and environmental consulting firms, nonprofit conservation agencies, and universities, colleges, and K-12 schools.
A few examples of hiring agencies that routinely hire Humboldt Geology alumni are the US Geological Survey, California Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Caltrans, US Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and more.
Many Humboldt Geology alumni go on in careers in private geotechnical and geoengineering consulting firms, examples of firms that have recently hired our students are SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists, Lettis Consultants International, and LACO Associates.
Some of our graduates decide to pursue an MS and/or PhD. Our Geology BS degree will set you up to complete all math, physics and chemistry requirements you need to apply for an MS or PhD program in geosciences in the United States.
No matter your path, you’ll leave the program ready to succeed.
Common Job Titles of Alumni within 5 years of graduating with BA/BS degree
This list is not meant to be all inclusive; many other job alternatives and titles may exist.
environmental geologist
staff geologist
geological consultant
technical writer or editor
emergency manager
hazards mitigation specialist
engineering geologist
field geologist
marine geologist
hydrogeologist
geomorphologist
museum curator
science teacher
Our Graduates
Class of 2015
Sylvia Nicovich
Tectonic Geomorphologist/Paleoseismologist
United States Bureau of Reclamation
Alumni Updates
Our grads are doing great things.
Vanessa Crandell, 2013
Submitted: November 23, 2022 Vanessa Crandell ('13, Geology, Oceanography) earned an M.S. in Geology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2016. She is currently working as an Environmental Geologist in Anchorage, Alaska. Vanessa primarily works on contaminated sites and geological and geotechnical projects....
George FitzGerald, 1968
Submitted: August 23, 2022 As the first geology graduate of Humboldt State in 1968, George FitzGerald went to work as an underground mine geologist in Grants, New Mexico. Using investigative skills taught by my Humboldt professors, he directed the quality-based safe extraction of uranium ore for over 15 years. Great...
Theodore "Ted" Smith, 1972
Submitted: September 22, 2021
Following a 30-year career with the State of California, Ted Smith retired as Supervising Geologist with the California Geological Survey in 2001. Since then he earned a PhD in Education (Specialization: Teaching & Training Online) and for 18 years has taught courses online, mostly with...
Brett A. Budick, 1976
Submitted: February 17, 2017
Brett A. Budick, 1976 Geology, was appointed to the position of Chief Deputy State Coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in December, 2016 by Governor Terry McAuliffe. As the number two in the agency and a 26-year Virginia state employee, Budick is responsible for all...
Tyson wilofsky, 2008
Submitted: August 15, 2015
Tyson Wilofsky, 2008 Geology, has been doing environmental remediation (RCRA/CERCLA) work as a government contractor.
