Originally Posted by verystormy

The nationality of the degree certainly doesnt matter. On site here we have a mix of nationalities - Oz, Kiwi, Brits and one guy from Belgium and one Canadian. What is more important is that the uni you chose has a good reputation.

The roles on a mine site for geologists include:
Open pit production - fast paced
Underground Production - fast paced and needs good 3D visualisation
Exploration - in pit, regional and underground - more hard science than other roles
Geotechincal underground - If you like structural geology
Geotech pit - If you like structural geology
GIS specialists - Making maps and sections
Resource geologists - Measuring the metal in the ground by maths and stats
Hydrogeologists - Finding and managing water
Enviros - Preventing damage to the environment and monitoring compliance
Database geologist - maintaing complex records
Many of these roles can then be divided up again into different specialisms such as i am Exploration but a Project Geologist. The interesting thing as well is that many people who study geology dont ever work in it. A lot of employers for other graduate training programs such as for buisness like geology grads because of the way in which we are taught to have to think outside the box and challenge ideas.

Of the people i went to Uni with, less than half went to work as geologists. Two joined the military as officers, one went into the police graduate program, two into teaching, a few into academia and several into general graduate training courses.

Originally Posted by lauralollipop

n sites in Perth, regional areas and mine sites out in the sticks.

For the benefit of Laven, I did a geology degree in the UK and went on to work for a couple of years as an engineering geologist for a consulting firm doing site investigations mainly focusing on the design of building foundations with a bit of contaminated land remediation thrown in for good measure!

When we moved to Aus 6 years ago, i left the engineering behind and moved fully into contaminated land/enviro consulting which still incorporates a lot of geological first principles - In my opinion, geologists make the best enviro consultants as they have the fundamental understanding of soil conditions and how contaminants move through soils/rock - but any earth science degree will leave you suitably qualified to work in enviro consulting.

Apart from boring the sh*t out of everyone with my life story, the point of my post is to re-affirm that a geology degree can open up many career doors, and there certainly isn't any chance of environmental work drying up any time soon, and it obviously isn't anywhere near as sensitive to commodity prices as exploration (which is something i've always fancied trying, but i've probably left it too late now as i would have to start at the bottom...)

Originally Posted by Weebie

90-100k isn't a large salary in Perth its improtant to keep that in perspective. The thign to remember is that ok there are a few jobs now with the mining boom but in reality in terms of exploration australia has essentially been explored. Everyone is aware of where everything is.

Unless your over 50 and haven't been here for ages its really hard to comment on the future of the of the industry. in 97-98 there was a period where there wasn't one single geology job and many geos had to go overseas. My father for instance went to Russia like many. One you hit 50 if you lose your job your career is pretty much over. We have one guy in my dads office who at 55 or so is very very greatful for the 20 hrs he recieves a week.

The original question was is it a good long term career and realistically the answer simply is no.