SOURCE: FORBES.COM Geology students are the happiest with their degrees according to the National Student Survey, which polls university students across UK colleges and universities for satisfaction in their school and their major. An impressive 95% of geologists out of 220,000 polled said they were satisfied with their major, the highest of any other sampled. On the flip side, photography majors admitted only 67% were happy with their major. Below I will outline the top 10 reasons I believe geology students rank as the happiest students at college. From intellectual curiosity, to rugged field trips, to good career options, there are a lot of upsides to pursuing a career in geology. 1. Geology allows you to pursue your curiosity about the world around us. You can get answers that inform on the world around us, such as why are there white sand beaches, how do volcanoes form, what controls our climate, how to the oceans work, etc. 2. One of the best parts about being a geologist are the field trips. As a geology major in college you will visit outcrops of rock, camp in the wilderness, and hike for hours all in the name of science. If this sounds like a good way to earn college credit, or get paid for when in your career, you should probably consider geology. 3. Geology can take you around the world. There is a need for geologists around the world and often times a geologist's field site is in another state, country, or continent. You will have the opportunity to travel and meet fellow scientists from different walks of life. 4. You get to use your analytical skills to solve problems no one has an answer to. There are many unknown aspects of geology, especially as it's a relatively new science compared to physics, chemistry, and biology. Take your analytical mind and apply it to understand how to predict earthquakes or study the composition of exoplanets. 5. A career in geology is well compensated, with a variety of different career paths and job titles. The main types of careers for geologists are in academia, working for the government (USGS), environmental consulting, oil and gas industry, or mining industry. 6. You can have access to a variety of cutting edge technology. Geologists regularly use seismic data to understand the subsurface, complex subsurface models to reconstruct the past, or detailed physical measurements to understand subtle movements. 7. There is great employment growth for geologists. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 10% increase in employment from 2014 to 2024. 8. You can get a job right out of college if you're happy with a bachelor's degree. There are many job opportunities with a BS in geology. However, there are a few more opportunities with those that gain a MS in geology. 9. It is a laid back field and a small community of colleagues. You'll find that you undoubtedly know people in common with other geologists and will find many geologists sociable and friendly. 10. Geology lets you get to study ROCKS. In some ways, the field is a bit black and white. Many people either are fascinated by the rocks and systems around us or simply not. If you find yourself hiking and wondering asking yourself "why" questions, you'll fit right in. That wraps up the 10 reasons why I believe geology students are the happiest at college. It's an exciting field with a lifetime of learning. So turn on your Spotify app, quit chatting on Kik, and get back to studying!
