Report Collection

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates

AGI's series of reports documenting the experiences and outcomes of new geoscience degree recipients in the geosciences, including skills and concepts developed during their academic studies, and career plans and opportunities they have pursued.

AGI’s National Survey of Recent Geoscience Graduates was developed to understand the experiences and outcomes of new geoscience degree recipients in the geosciences, including skills and concepts developed during their academic studies, and career plans and opportunities they have pursued. For information about how to participate, please contact us at profession@americangeosciences.org.

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Publication 2022-04-04

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2021

This report provides an overview of the demographics, activities, and experiences of geoscience degree recipients during the 2020-2021 academic year. This research draws attention to student preparation in the geosciences, their education and career path decisions, as well as examines some of the questions raised about student transitions into the workforce. This year's survey also explores the concept and skill preparation of the graduates, aligned with the Vision and Change in the Geosciences report.

Profession Data Publications

Publication 2018-04-10

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2017

This report provides an overview of the demographics, activities, and experiences of geoscience degree recipients during the 2016-2017 academic year. This research draws attention to student preparation in the geosciences, their education and career path decisions, as well as examines some of the questions raised about student transitions into the workforce. This is the fifth consecutive year of this survey and report, and with this release, we are starting to detail emerging trends in the experiences of postsecondary geoscience students.

Profession Data Publications

Publication 2017-02-03

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2016

This report examines the demographics, preparation, and career paths of geoscience graduates during the 2015-2016 academic year, highlighting trends in workforce readiness and transitions. Low participation in advanced quantitative courses beyond Calculus II persists, with availability often influenced by the type of institution, raising concerns about workforce preparedness, as advanced math skills are critical for sustained employment in certain industries. While nearly all graduates gain research or field experience, internship participation remains low despite its importance for skill development and networking; collaboration between departments, industries, and societies is needed to provide internship-like experiences. Notably, the oil and gas industry's hiring shift to master’s graduates, driven by an industry downturn, has increased job opportunities for bachelor’s graduates in fields like environmental services and non-profits, reshaping entry-level geoscience employment trends.

Profession Data Publications

Publication 2016-01-25

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2015

This report examines the demographics, preparation, and career paths of geoscience graduates from the 2014–2015 academic year, with trends echoing findings from previous years. Concerns persist about graduates' quantitative skills, with declines in statistics coursework and higher-level math proficiency potentially impacting employment and career advancement. While internships remain crucial for professional development, limited opportunities appear to hinder participation, and the environmental services industry surpassed oil and gas as the top employer for bachelor’s graduates, signaling a shift in workforce dynamics.

Profession Data Publications

Publication 2014-10-16

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2014

This report examines the demographics, preparation, and career paths of geoscience graduates from the 2013-2014 academic year, with a larger sample size reflecting the community more accurately. Key findings include a continued trend of most graduates completing only up to Calculus II, a decline in statistics coursework, and challenges in workforce readiness, as many graduates lack internships and face difficulty finding employers willing to hire inexperienced candidates. While more bachelor’s and master’s graduates plan to attend graduate school or seek employment in geosciences, limited graduate program capacity and workforce challenges highlight areas for improvement, with ongoing AGI studies aiming to enhance educational and career pathways for future graduates.

Profession Data Publications

Publication 2013-09-30

Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates 2013

This report analyzes the demographics, education, and career paths of geoscience graduates from spring 2013, highlighting the role of academic programs and departments in preparing students for the workforce. Key findings include the closing gender gap, continued underrepresentation of minorities, and a plateau in students' quantitative skill development at Calculus II. While field and research experiences are widely available, low participation in internships at the bachelor’s and doctoral levels raises concerns, despite their importance for workforce transition, with the petroleum industry being particularly effective at recruiting graduates. AGI plans future studies, including a longitudinal survey, to provide deeper insights into the geoscience workforce pathway and enhance opportunities for future graduates.

Profession Data Publications