Career Compass: Earth Sciences

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Course requirements:
GEOL 1340. To view the full list of required courses, refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses required for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Apply to the Riddell Faculty once you have completed 24 credit hours and have met entrance requirements.
2. Should you follow a 3-or-4 year plan? Meet with a Riddell advisor and a career consultant to map out your options.
3. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Course requirements:
Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses required for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor and a career consultant to map out your options.
2. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
3. Research areas of specialization and courses you are interested in taking.
4. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities (required for 3-year option).

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Course requirements:
Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses required for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Consider focusing your education by choosing an area of specialization (4-year option).
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with a Riddell advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Course requirements:
Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses required for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with a Riddell advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.
3. Complete an honours thesis in geology or geophysics by taking GEOL 4870.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a student member with Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Geological Association of Canada, Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association and Mineral Society of Manitoba.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Attend resumé/cover letter and interview prep workshops.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs at the University of Manitoba.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups such as Geophysics Society, Geoclub, Society of Earth Sciences and Environmental Students or the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU).
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award or NSERC USRA or inquire about research assistant positions.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out the Let’s Talk Science, Manitoba Museum or the Fossil Discovery Centre.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend the Western Inter-University Geosciences Conference (WIUGC) in January or the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Check out student job opportunities with: Manitoba Geological Survey, Natural Resources Canada, Vale, Imperial Oil, Suncor Energy, Newmont and WISE Kid-Netic Energy.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships. Consider the Student-Industry Minerals Exploration Workshop (PDAC) or the CSPG Student-Industry Field Trip.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), The Northern Miner's careermine, Earthworks-jobs.com, Job Bank, Find My Job, Indeed or other search engines.

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as federal, provincial, and municipal government, agriculture, conservation and water stewardship, education, minerals, oil and gas would value an Earth Sciences degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. The skills include:*

• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Numeracy and data use
• Oral and written communication
• Industry specific knowledge
• Teamwork
• Digital technology
• Continuous learning

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.