Episodes

  • What Does Being an "Economic Geologist" Even Mean? w/Elizabeth Freeman
    Mar 29 2026

    Check out the rest of the Geoscience Careers 'Work For Earth!' playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69bBhmsrgfsP8Pc6F1bRSPS-WsNFAiLy
    Chapters:

    0:00 What is Economic Geology?2:11 Economic Geologists in Mining vs Oil & Gas?4:24 How “critical minerals” have changed Economic Geology7:30 Day in the life of an Economic Geologist13:01 Where do you do this work?15:51 What inspired you to pursue Economic Geology?19:48 Importance of mining for our sustainable future21:23 Working with environment regulators (it’s a team)23:56 Take advantage of the turn over!25:23 Bioremediation and Biorecovery26:27 Have environmental protections changed this job?31:24 Will AI replace these positions?35:42 Biggest misconceptions about Economic Geology37:41 Caring about the geology (not the money)39:33 Salary potential41:33 Is a graduate degree increase required? (no)43:33 How to do what you want!45:26 Economically viable resources vs total resources47:58 Rare Earth Elements49:35 Why so few REEs in U.S.?52:17 Greenland???57:30 Mining Asteroids & the Moon59:32 Deep Sea Mining1:01:01 Gray areas & future directions…1:03:46 Scarcity drives commodity prices1:06:15 Elizabeth’s Business Nuna LLC1:12 Favorite & least favorite part of this career

    Explore geology deeper with CampGeo – podcast-like conversation with visuals that bring geological concepts to life! Check it out here: https://campcourses.app.link/p5q0W0bxwMbYou can also find their podcast, PlanetGEO, on spotify & apple podcast: https://planetgeocast.com/GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1NhkeTools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJfGeology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MAGeological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLuGeological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Day in Life of 10 Different Geoscience Careers - Compilation Episode 1
    Mar 15 2026

    Check out the rest of the "Work For Earth" Geoscience Careers series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69bBhmsrgfsP8Pc6F1bRSPS-WsNFAiLy

    Note: My interview with Economic Geologist, Elizabeth Freeman, is new and will be coming out just a couple weeks after this one!0:00 Intro to Geoscience Careers in this video1:00 Life of a Geotechnical Engineer2:08 Life of a National Park Ranger3:54 Life of a Mining Geologist5:18 Life of a GIS Specialist6:24 Life of an Economic Geologist9:19 Life of a Submarine Volcanologist12:25 Life of a Petroleum Geologist14:12 Life of a (new) Environmental Consultant 15:17 Life of a (senior) Environmental Consultant17:34 Life of an Engineering Geologist18:45 Recap & call for future interviews!

    Explore geology deeper with CampGeo – podcast-like conversation with visuals that bring geological concepts to life!

    Check it out here: https://campcourses.app.link/p5q0W0bxwMbYou can also find their podcast, PlanetGEO, on spotify & apple podcast: https://planetgeocast.com/

    GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)

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    19 mins
  • Life of a Submarine Volcanologist & What This Career Could Look Like For You w/Dr. Adam Soule
    Feb 8 2026

    Learn more about the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: https://www.whoi.edu/Learn more about the Ocean Exploration Trust: https://nautiluslive.org/Check out the EV Nautilus YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/evnautilus to hear Adam's voice on some of their videos!


    0:00 What is submarine volcanology?2:47 Why do we care about underwater volcanoes?6:05 How did Adam get into volcanology?8:35 Why did he switch to submarine volcanology?10:12 Day in the life of a submarine volcanologist?12:58 Do you get to pilot the ROVs / robots?15:40 Adam’s most recent expedition18:10 How are samples distributed?19:57 Sampling limit?20:54 Craziest experience as a submarine volcanologist23:11 Most inspiring experience as a submarine volcanologist26:59 Misconceptions about submarine volcanology28:55 Biggest challenges in this career30:47 Salary of a submarine volcanologist?32:32 Degrees & training required for this career?36:29 Did life originate at hydrothermal vents?38:58 Hydrothermal vents on other planets/moons42:19 What is the ‘smoke’ made of?44:45 Least favorite & most favorite part of the job

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    48 mins
  • What a Career as an National Park Ranger Could Look Like for You! w/Cameron Fetter
    Oct 19 2025

    Check out the Scientists in the Parks Program: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htmCheck out Volunteer in the Parks Program: https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htmCheck out other opportunities at NPS: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm0:00 Meet National Park Ranger, Cam!1:13 Inspiration to pursue geoscience & become a ranger?3:34 Typical Day on This Job5:28 Do you get to go around traffic?6:46 Why do we need geoscientists in the parks?8:09 Geologic hazards in Yellowstone National Park9:48 Working with Visitors vs Data11:38 Craziest Experience as a Park Ranger14:54 Best Experience as a Park Ranger17:27 Ongoing Research on Hydrothermal Explosions19:19 Ongoing Research on Yellowstone Wolves20:01 Ongoing Research on Supervolcano21:32 Misconceptions about Yellowstone & this career23:30 How is NPS holding up with current budget cuts27:19 Most critical initiatives at Yellowstone right now29:21 Summer Weather at Yellowstone31:02 How is Old Faithful so Faithful?33:49 Will the Yellowstone Hot Spot ever cool off?35:24 Cam’s favorite geyser in Yellowstone!36:44 Education/training needed to be a ranger?39:26 Internships? Can international students apply?40:49 Accessibility of Ranger Positions?41:57 Very wide age range of rangers42:38 Seasonal vs permanent ranger positions45:21 Most important lesson learned on the job?48:12 Favorite part of the job?50:52 Least favorite part of the job?51:55 Last words from Cam about working as an NPS RangerExplore geology deeper with CampGeo – podcast-like conversation with visuals that bring geological concepts to life! Check it out here: https://campcourses.app.link/p5q0W0bxwMbYou can also find their podcast, PlanetGEO, on spotify & apple podcast: https://planetgeocast.com/GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1NhkeTools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJfGeology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MAGeological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLuGeological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!

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    53 mins
  • What Environmental Consulting Could Look Like For You w/Krystal Chin
    Sep 28 2025

    0:00 Environmental Consultant intro1:36 Typical day/week on the job?4:16 Context? Mining, Oil & Gas, Hydroelectric Dams? 6:11 Why is environmental consulting important?8:39 What inspired you to pursue environmental consulting?11:33 What about this job would surprise people?15:16 Helping communities by making NOTHING happen!18:25 How has climate change impacted your job?20:17 What tools & technology do you use in this job?22:04 Increased safety & accessibility over time23:15 Viewer Questions!23:22 Craziest sites you’ve gotten to work at24:56 Scariest experience on the job26:40 Education/degrees needed for environmental consulting?31:46 Certifications needed for environmental consulting?35:13 What if you don’t have a geo or environmental background?37:03 Salary as an Environmental Consultant?37:35 What’s your favorite part of this job?40:07 What’s your least favorite part?

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    41 mins
  • Life as an Earthquake Geologist & Tips For Pursuing This Career w/Dr. Wendy Bohon (@Drwendyrocks)
    Sep 14 2025

    Helpful links & resources:

    Dr. Wendy Bohon's website - https://wendybohon.com/This is a journal article on some of her work (written for and edited by kids, so hopefully accessible for everyone!) - https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2024.1368101Information about If/Then (where Dr. Bohon is featured as a woman in STEM to hopefully inspire young girls to enter STEM fields and follow their dreams!) - https://youtube.com/shorts/hcxDoPDl2n4?feature=sharedAmazing recent NOVA PBS earthquake video she was in! - https://youtu.be/OQNoO1Ua-q0?si=aZ8Jwg0Az2B1VmNIFind other cool media projects she's worked on here: https://wendybohon.com/media/Link to rest of Geoscience Careers Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69bBhmsrgfsP8Pc6F1bRSPS-WsNFAiLyListen to the 'Work For Earth!' Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2npc8AYQ3r2l9YEzNYKoW4?si=288f06ea05c046e8GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)0:00 Intro to Earthquake Geologist, Dr. Wendy Bohon1:20 What’s an Earthquake Geologist & how do we study earthquakes?2:29 Why study Earthquakes if we can’t predict them? 4:22 Increasing our resilience against geologic hazards5:19 What inspired you to become an Earthquake Geologist?7:26 Importance of persistence!9:20 What’s a day/week like on the job?10:55 What tools/tech do Earthquake Geologists use?13:02 Who do you work with? 15:13 Most inspiring experience as an Earthquake Geologist?16:56 Craziest experience as an Earthquake Geologist18:30 Viewer Questions!18:49 Common myths about Earthquakes/your job20:23 Spaghetti magnitude scale! (this is iconic)21:40 What do you wish more people knew about your job?24:45 Salary of an Earthquake Geologist?27:20 Figuring out if it’s worth it? 28:38 What degree(s)/training do you need?30:40 Other ‘types of geologists’ at state surveys?32:52 Are earthquakes & volcanoes becoming more frequent?33:30 Are earthquakes & volcanoes linked?35:59 Least favorite part of the job?36:17 Favorite part of the job?37:42 Pitch for career (plus dog cameo!)Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1NhkeTools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJfGeology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MAGeological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLuGeological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!

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    39 mins
  • Is a Career as a Geospatial Scientist & GIS Specialist Right For You? w/Reyer Fenoff
    Aug 29 2025

    Link to rest of Geoscience Careers Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69bBhmsrgfsP8Pc6F1bRSPS-WsNFAiLyListen to the 'Work For Earth!' Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2npc8AYQ3r2l9YEzNYKoW4?si=288f06ea05c046e8GEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)0:00 GIS & Geospatial Science Intro1:32 What is GIS & Geospatial Science?2:55 Typical day/week on the job? Field work?4:03 What inspired you to pursue this career?5:42 GPS vs GNSS & how they’re used in this field7:11 Lidar & how it’s used in this field8:26 Photogrammetry & how it’s used in this field9:36 Craziest experiences on the job10:44 Biggest challenge in this job?12:03 Do you need a tech/coding/computer science background?15:04 Who do you work with? 15:58 Does this work impact policy? Land use?17:15 Why is this work important?20:40 Myths or misconceptions about this field?23:04 Viewer Questions!23:21 How will AI affect the future of this field?24:24 Coding in this job?26:01 ArcGIS vs QGIS26:56 What is ArcGIS?27:34 Is 3D modelling & virtual reality a promising field?31:34 Education/training needed for this job?33:01 GIS Certificate33:31 2-yr land surveying degree option34:28 Employers for this type of job?35:53 Tell your boss they need drones & GIS!38:06 Favorite part of the job?39:05 Least favorite part of the job?40:27 Research vs applied geoscienceNon-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1NhkeTools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJfGeology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MAGeological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLuGeological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!

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    42 mins
  • Working In the Field As An Environmental Consultant w/Grace Suden
    Aug 17 2025

    Link to Grace's employer's website: https://www.gsienv.comLink to rest of Geoscience Careers Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69bBhmsrgfsP8Pc6F1bRSPS-WsNFAiLyGEO GIRL Website: https://www.geogirlscience.com/ (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, & donate to support the channel if you'd like!)0:00 Environmental Consulting1:05 Typical day/week on the job?1:50 What do you do in the field?3:34 What’s a hydrograph?4:32 Why is environmental consulting important today?7:59 Background/training required for this job?9:03 Training in school vs on the job?11:01 How you ended up here?12:19 Surprising parts about environmental consulting?14:46 How does this work impact local communities?17:55 Does this work intersect w/other global challenges?20:09 What tools/technology do you use most often?22:17 Viewer Questions!22:25 Craziest site or experience you’ve had?23:11 Accessibility & preferences in this job?26:22 Degree, certifications, & credentials?28:19 What is the entry level position in this career?29:36 Can geochemists work in environmental consulting?31:14 Do you have to have a ‘geo’ background?33:30 What are your hours like?35:33 How much travel is required?36:30 Least favorite part of the job?37:21 Favorite part of the job?Non-textbook books I recommend: Oxygen by D. Canfield: https://amzn.to/3gffbCL Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/3w3hC1I Life on young planet by A. Knoll: https://amzn.to/2RBMpny Some assembly required by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3w1Ezm2 Your inner fish by N. Shubin: https://amzn.to/3cpw3Wb Oxygen by N. Lane: https://amzn.to/3z4FgwZ Alien Oceans by K. Hand: https://amzn.to/3clMx1l Life's Engines: https://amzn.to/3w1NhkeTools I use as a geologist/teacher/student: Geology field notebook: https://amzn.to/3lb6dJfGeology rock hammer: https://amzn.to/3DZw8MAGeological compass: https://amzn.to/3hfbdLuGeological hand lens: https://amzn.to/3jXysM5Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission, but there is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! And as always, let me know your topic suggestions in the comments down below!

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    39 mins