How to Land Your First Real Job (First Job Geology/Geophysics)

Lfirejack on 02/05/2018 - 13:36
Last edited 02/05/2018 - 16:41 by 1 other user

I have recently graduated from a bachelors in Geology and Geophysics. I have been applying for work using websites like seek and also trying to get in contact with some companies directly, however I keep hitting two barriers.

This first is my lack of experience in my field of work where companies are request a minimum of 2 years experience even for graduate positions sometimes. The second barrier being that generic email or reply that a company has found someone who more closely meets their needs for the job.

Does anyone have any advice for ways of gaining experience or work after graduating university or in these fields specifically. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Education & Work

Comments

  • Presence on 02/05/2018 - 13:44

    Geology is hard to get into, especially now.

    Have you applied for all the grad programs for 2019? Applications are closing now.
    Then apply for vac work. These will close later in the year.

    Have you done honours or masters? Might be work considering.

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 14:17

      Yes I have applied for grad programs and vac work. I have considered honors and masters but with a double degree I can only choose to peruse only one of my degrees as further study not to mention I do believe that my lack of experience now will still be as much of a burden even with a higher degree.

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 14:28
      +1

      You have posted the same article 3 times and it doesnt really provide any advice.

    • Ryanek on 02/05/2018 - 15:57
      +1

      Not nice. OP is asking for advice to further their career.

  • Quantumcat on 02/05/2018 - 14:45

    There's graduate jobs going at Geoscience Australia at the moment

    https://www.seek.com.au/job/36012054

  • pformag on 02/05/2018 - 15:33
    +2

    "The second barrier being that generic email or reply that a company has found someone who more closely meets their needs for the job."

    Maybe try and phone and get the email of the person who hires? Research as much to find out the person first name.

    • jjjaar on 02/05/2018 - 16:47
      +1

      Yes 100% do this. Ask them what you could do better next time to make you seem a more suitable candidate. Perhaps your CV isn't presented well enough to stand out, as opposed to it being your experience that is lacking?

      I had a friend send me their CV after they applied for several jobs with nothing beyond the generic no. I just looked over it and formatted the same information to look cleaner. They have gotten interviews for the following like 5 applications since.

  • Ryanek on 02/05/2018 - 15:58

    Is an internship an option? You don't get paid but you can get some of that experience.

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 16:09

      I have been applying for both

  • Caped Baldy on 02/05/2018 - 16:48

    Which organisations are you applying to?

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 22:43

      Pretty much anything I can find

  • mskeggs on 02/05/2018 - 18:35

    Are you happy to work on site at mines/rigs?

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 22:43

      I would work just about anywhere Mskeggs

  • JenPat on 02/05/2018 - 18:56
    +2

    My degree is in geology. I have been a Maths teacher for 18 years.
    At my uni the running joke was, What is the difference between a pizza and a geologist? A pizza can feed a family of 4!

    • mskeggs on 02/05/2018 - 20:03
      +1

      Most of the older geologists I know flip between resources when there is a boom, and teaching or a something when there are busts.
      This doesn’t seem as prevalent with younger people, as it seems the boom has been quite long with only minor busts.

    • tomsco on 02/05/2018 - 20:22
      +1

      You must have rocks in your head to do a geology degree.

  • 7412547854 on 02/05/2018 - 19:07

    The best option would've been to done some sort of mining job during your studies, befriend the managers and hoped and pray that they remembered you and keep you on after you've done your studies. But seeing you've already graduated - your best bet is to start small and mingle your way into an actual geology position. Pit tech, lab tech, geo assistants, nippers, truckies and any other entry-level roles. Basically tell everyone you've studied geology and hope that they recall your name if a geology related position arises (I assume you'll do exploration, hydro, and ect).

    ***my experience - came to site as a nipper (22.5/hr), 9 months later - grad position opened up and instead of advertising, they offered it to me directly.

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 22:45

      Its not that I didnt apply its just that there was a massive down turn during my studies and when I first started we had over 200 geologists in just my year group so it was very competitive.

  • ProBoDoBo on 02/05/2018 - 21:14

    I'm from a similar field, still at University graduating this year. I would recommend you to join the SPE(Society of Petroleum Engineers) Mentoring Program where you'll find a lot of senior geologists willing to help around with everything. Also, PESA is a good organisation to mingle with fellow Geologists and geoscientists etc. Networking is the key!

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 22:45

      Thanks mate I'll look into it!

  • themadman on 02/05/2018 - 23:16
    +1

    As a first year civil engineering graduate with minimal experience, I can say that physically dropping resumes around makes a huge difference. I got 0 interviews from seek applications, and 7 interviews & subsequent job offers when I took the time to visit their office and actually try to present myself to the company. This works a lot better with small companies than big ones, as the big ones will only let you apply online and basically won't talk to you. if you're within 50km of any businesses, I would seriously recommend going in to them. I also found it wayyyyy more enjoyable to drive around and talk to potential employers than to sit at my desk writing cover letters that meant very little.

  • themadman on 02/05/2018 - 23:21
    +1

    Also, don't be afraid to visit companies that aren't recruiting. You might have left it a little late in the year, but nearly all the people who offered me jobs weren't actively recruiting at the time. if you go to them first, you show you're seriously interested and, if they're happy with you, you save them a huge amount of effort and money in recruiting. worst comes to worst, you now know some people (always ask for a contact card), and you can email them with follow up stuff (I sent out emails the next day with my resume - just so they won't forget you). I have been at my job now for 2.5 months and absolutely loving it. the most experienced I'd had with civil engineering previously was 1.5-2 weeks.

    • firejack on 02/05/2018 - 23:36

      Just out of curiosity did you wear a suit when you went to these places? and also did you just bring a resume or a cover letter as well ? and thanks for the advice!

  • Sickman on 03/05/2018 - 08:28
    +2

    I am a Geotechnical Engineer/Geologist with over 15years experience. I have similar degrees.
    If you want a mining Geologist job in the current business as normal (it is not bust as some would like you to think) non boom period you need to door knock and meet geologist and get temporary work and work up. Or even get work as a cleaner or any labouring role on a mine site and ask around and network. It is not bust out there, companies like Rio Tinto Iron Ore are drilling more resource development holes than they did during the last boom.
    In the civil industry they need geologist and geotechs for foundation and slope assessments. You need to be going direct to engineering companies as that is how I have only gotten my roles. just ask them if they have any temporary or part time roles. There is a fair bit of time sorting and arranging and doing the new hire process. Having someone come into your office asking makes the hiring process a lot more simple. Also that person will be the person I will be phoning in 2 months time when I need an extra hand to do some basic field work for me.
    If you get stuck you should consider working in NZ as the Christchurch and Kaikoura rebuilds as still massive geotechnical projects and they looking for graduates to help out will the basic foundation ground studies.
    You need to network find someone who knows someone and meet someone in the industry. Most hires comes from people asking others in the industry.
    As geologists and engineers, we do not wear suits, we wear smart causal collared shirts and basic jeans or dress trousers. And be honest in interviews and say it as it is and do not try to bs employers as we are very experienced and can see straight through bs coming from grads. I got my first professional job because I told the hiring company that I found them via their webpage. They asked me what I thought of their webpage and I was honest and nice and said the website needed a fair of work which got smiles from all 4 people interviewing. :)
    Best of luck

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