Your degree in Geophysics

While studying geophysics, you’re learning about where natural resources come from and their usage, how we extract them from our environment, and potential environmental implications. You’ll develop interdisciplinary skills, through strong technical training, to broaden your understanding of the world and the impact humans have on it.

These skills may include:

• Application of knowledge regarding environmental issues and impact to solve practical problems affecting the society and the world
• Observations, development of models, generation of questions and precise conclusions about the history, structure, and processes of the earth and its environment
• Application of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to theoretical approaches of how various factors shape and impact data
• Ability to examine environmental problems and factors in a unique way when straightforward answers are not obvious
• Critical analysis and synthesis of scientific research and literature in order to make safety recommendations
• Mapping, surveying, and field sampling of physical properties of the earth
• Quantitative skills and computing methods to analyze Earth’s density, seismic velocity, gravity, magnetism, resistivity, and radioactivity
• Usage of MATLAB and Python

There are many career paths that can combine your academic backgrounds, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

Find UBC Geophysics graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.