LICENSURE OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

The field of engineering geology offers opportunities to pursue interests that are often introduced or reinforced by a traditional geological sciences curriculum. The broad spectrum and balance of courses included in a traditional curriculum provides a firm foundation for building one’s education in the workplace, particularly in the relatively quantitative sub-disciplines of civil engineering. The typical workplace for an engineering geologist consists of former geology and civil engineering students working together in the design of engineering works, with an understanding of geologic principles that is integral to the design.

Those former students are typically licensed as professional geologists and engineers (and in some states as engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers). The licensure requirements are based on educational experience and professional experience working under the guidance of licensed professional mentors. Some professionals are dual-licensed as both geologist and engineer.

I’ll describe the path of my career from a staff geologist working under a dual-licensed mentor to my current role as a dual-licensed project manager working on large-scale public infrastructure projects in California and abroad.