GEOLOGY CAREERS IN THE COAL INDUSTRY

Despite recent events in our nation’s economy and regulatory environment, the coal industry still offers opportunity for new geology graduates. Several factors are at work: domestically the demand for coal has lessened, but the international market will continue to seek U.S. coal; many active coal geologists are nearing retirement and will need to be replaced; much of the remaining coal reserves have challenging geology and will require more evaluation than ever; and, ever increasing data loads require the technology skills with which new geologists are comfortable.

Although few universities offer formal coal geology classes, geology students who are adept at stratigraphy, sedimentology, field methods, structural geology, and environmental geology will be well prepared to enter the coal industry. Like many geology careers, the real training begins on the job, and finding an intern position can jump start a long-term career.