Geosciences Program

Geosciences Job Outlook

"Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is projected to spur demand for geoscientists."

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) 

"As of December 2020, 91% of geoscience graduates who earned their degree between 2014-2018 were employed, while 75% of graduates from 2019 and 80% of graduates from 2020 reported the same. For geoscience graduates who earned their degree in 2020, 31% of bachelor's, 50% of master's, and 91% of doctorates had secured employment by December 2020." 

• American Geological Institute (2021)

Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club Event Information

All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the bimonthly GJGMC meetings, field trips, and other events, including the fall Gem and Mineral show.

Geosciences Applauds Generous Geo-Fundraiser

The Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club is home to outstanding members of our geo-community and promotors of education. Every year the Gem Club hosts events, including the Annual Grand Junction Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show, which draws in people from all over the rock-hound world. The fall 2022 show attracted 1600 attendees. These folks brought their dollars and left with gem and mineral treasures!  
 
The Gem Club has been raising money for scholarships and awarding them to our CMU Geosciences students since 1980. Between 1980 and 2022, the Club generously awarded $36,000 in scholarships! The record turnout at this year’s Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show contributed to the $5000 the Club will award in 2023 to CMU Geosciences students and $1000 to scholarships for students in the CMU Criminal Justice Program.  
 
CMU students from the Geosciences Program and the Criminal Justice Program volunteered to work at the fall 2022 show. Geosciences students helped out at the Silent Auction, the Kids’ Corner, and Lee Cassin’s vendor table. Lee, a Gem Club member added her proceeds to the Gem Club scholarship “pot” to fund CMU Geosciences students. CMU Criminal Justice students volunteered as security at the event and did such a great job, the Gem Club initiated a scholarship fund for their educational program, too.  
 
The Gem Club is an important economic contributor to our local economy. Importantly, from a CMU Geosciences perspective, the club is also a very generous supporter of education of CMU students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the Gem Club for their generosity, strong ties to our university, and commitment to education of our Western Slope youth.  

Grand Junction Geological Society: Monthly Speaker Information

All geosciences students are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly GJGS events.

The Grand Junction Geological Society (GJGS) is community of geosciences professionals, students, and local people with multiple geo-interests. At its monthly meetings, the GJGS hosts guest speakers, including CMU Geosciences faculty and alumni, on hot topics in the geosciences.

For many years, the GJGS and its individual members have been dedicated supporters of the CMU Geosciences Program. Since 2012, the GJGS has awarded $18,250 in student scholarships, $2375 in student-speaker awards, and $6500 in other financial support to the Geosciences program. Each spring, the GJGS typically awards five, annual $750 field-camp scholarships to defray the cost of attending the summer course. The Society has also generously purchased and donated tents and other course materials for field-camp students. Individual GJGS members have established endowments that provide scholarships for CMU students, including the endowed Forrest Nelson scholarship, which was initiated in 2018 with a donation of $600,000 and will provide scholarships to CMU geosciences students for many years to come.

Each spring, the GJGS also runs the William Chenoweth Memorial Field Trip. Members and CMU Geosciences faculty and students use this trip to meet and greet new outcrops and new folks in our geo-community here in Grand Valley.

The GJGS is a very generous supporter of education of CMU Geosciences students. All of us at CMU Geosciences thank the GJGS for their generosity, strong ties to our Geosciences students, and commitment to their education and professional development.