Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.
Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.
1a. Sample Occupations
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.
Mine Geologist
Surveyor
Laboratory Supervisor
Geological Technician
Prospector
Training Coordinator
Environmental Coordinator
Community Affairs Manager
Virtual Reality Modeler
Sales Representative* (e.g. Mining Products)
Sampler Analyst
Minerals Processing Technician
Coordinator, Safety and Health Education
Technical coordinator
Exploration Geologist
Production Geologist
Buyer
Technical Sales Representative
Compliance Officer
Commodity Manager
Regulatory Law Associate
Site Cost Controller
Analyst Trade Controls
Mining Engineer*
Climatologist*
Environmental Engineer*
Survey Tech*
Geologist*
Hydrologist*
Environmental Tech*
Engineering Technician*
Mining Engineering Tech*
Explosives Specialist*
Land Surveyor*
Paleontologist*
Cartographer*
GIS Specialist*
Land Agent*
Oceanographer*
Biological Technician*
Petroleum Engineering Technician*
Chemical Engineering Technician*
Meteorologist*
Geophysicist
Geobiologist
Geochemist
Paleobiologist
Paleoclimatologist
Physicist*
Scientist*
* View these titles at Career Cruising, available on CLN under the Resources tab.
1b. Sample Job Listings
Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs.
Junior Mining Rock Mechanics Engineer, Golder Associates
Field Geologist, Century Global Commodities Corporation
District Geologist, Ontario Public Service
Backfill Specialist, Vale
Sustainability Programming Assistant, Department of Facilities Management and Planning, UTM
Geoscience, Schlumberger
Geospatial Research Associate, Rotman School of Management, UofT
Seismic Analyst, ESG Solutions
Undergraduate Assistant, Natural Resources Canada
Geologist, Nexen
Geotechnical Research Assistant, Rocscience
Writer, Earth Day Canada
Lab Assistant, Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, UTM
Policy Analyst - Acoustics Air Quality & Climate Change, Ontario Public Service
Geoscience Student, Shell Canada
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
Mineral and hydrocarbon companies
Environmental sector
Provincial and federal government departments
Resource and financial companies
Government agencies
Academic institutions
2. Program-Related Skills
Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.
Investigative: knowledge of the origin, composition, and evolution of the Earth, and how the Earth system responds to internal and external forces, as well as understand spatial data and temporal geologic change.
Technical: identify, describe and classify earth materials and structures, as well as analyze quantitative geologic data.
Communication: read, critically evaluate and produce professional papers and geologic maps.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: recognize bias and incompleteness in the geologic record; apply physics, chemistry, biology, statistics and mathematics to solve geologic problems; and apply geoscience knowledge to address problems affecting society.
Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.
Alumni Profiles
Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.
Events
Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.
Talk to Professors
Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.
Student Organizations
Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:
Student Association of Geography and Environment
Erindale Society of Chemical & Physical Sciences
LinkedIn
Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.
Professional Associations
There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:
Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.
The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.
Research Opportunity Program (ROP)
UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience and earn a course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Courses are held during Summer and Fall/Winter terms.
Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document
Student Organizations
Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website
4b. Off-Campus
Internships, Summer, Part-Time and Volunteer Positions
Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs and Summer Job Search tip sheets
Full Time Positions
Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.
Career Planning by Year
Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.