Perspectives

It is recommended to pursue a master’s degree in geosciences after completing a bachelor’s degree, focusing on the areas already explored during undergraduate studies, such as geology-paleontology, geophysics, and mineralogy, or in related disciplines. Depending on the focus of the bachelor’s program, a master’s degree in materials and environmental sciences or physical geography may also be a suitable option. For those entering the workforce after earning a bachelor’s degree, for example in applied earth, environmental, and engineering sciences or materials sciences, it is advisable to gain extensive practical experience, ideally during the course of study, through internships or work placements in appropriate organizations, such as engineering and environmental firms or municipal institutions.

Successful completion of the course creates opportunities for careers in the following industries:

Petroleum and mining industries, building/construction industry, engineering and hydrogeology, environmental consulting firms, analytical, chemical, cement, glass, ceramics, and optical industries, steel and metallurgical industries; in offices and institutions: geological state offices, Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, environmental protection and monument protection, risk prevention, German Aerospace Center, Alfred Wegener Institute, Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics, German Research Center for Geosciences, German Armed Forces, criminal investigation offices; in municipal areas, for example, as environmental geoscientists or in geotourism; at universities, research institutes, and museums, in state or private laboratories and materials research institutions, as well as with insurance companies. Career opportunities also extend across various media (press, radio, television, internet), public relations, publishing (e.g., development of multimedia products), editorial work, and in IT and information technology.

For an overview of possible career paths and fields, as well as interviews with alumni of Goethe University, visit the "What is Next?" page of the Career Service.