This webinar focuses on the steps these departments have taken to stay in touch with alumni and get them involved in providing career information for their students (e.g. providing talks in geoscience courses, participating in a Geoscience Career Day or Fair, interacting with students at a department open house day, actively mentoring students, etc.) Following the presentations, there is an open discussion period in which audience members from around the world to ask questions of the speakers.

Our speakers include:

"The Importance of Building Alumni Relations in Geoscience Departments"
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• Dallas D. Rhodes, Emeritus Professor, Department of Geology and Geography, Georgia Southern University
• Susan M. Taylor, Dewberry, Davis LLC; Alumna, Department of Geology and Geography, Georgia Southern University

"Engaging Alumni In Undergraduate Geoscience Education: What we do and how we do it, a case study from St. Lawrence University"
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• J. Mark Erickson, Chapin Professor of Geology, St. Lawrence University, NY
• Sarah B. Z. McElfresh, SLU Geology Alumni Council, Winston-Salem, NC; 1998 St. Lawrence University Alumna

Following the presentations, there is an open discussion period in which audience members from around the world to ask questions of the speakers.

Our speakers include:

• Mr. G. Warfield "Skip" Hobbs, 2011 President of the American Geological Institute; Managing Partner of Ammonite Resources, Energy & Mineral Advisors
  "Geology in the Finance Sector"
   
• Dr. Craig Jarchow, Managing Director, Pine Brook Road Partners, LLC
  "Creating Energy Companies: Private Equity from a Geoscientist’s Perspective"
   
• Mr. Gregory B. Jansen,  Managing Director, Commonfund Capital, Inc.
  "From Rocks to Stocks - The Evolution of a Geoscience Career"

EDMAP is an interactive and meaningful matching-funds grant program with universities for students to gain experience and knowledge in geologic mapping as well as contribute to the national effort to geologically map all of the United States. This program trains the next generation of geologic mappers and is one of the three components of the congressionally-mandated U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). Geology faculty, skilled in geologic mapping, request EDMAP funding to support upper-level undergraduate and graduate students at their institution in a one-year mentored geologic mapping project that focuses on a specific geographic area. Also, each EDMAP proposal must be closely coordinated with a State Geologist or a USGS geologic mapping project. Every federal dollar awarded is matched with university funds. EDMAP has supported 144 universities and over 850 students from geoscience departments across the Nation. Following the presentations, you can listen to the open discussion period in which audience members from around the world to ask questions of the speakers.

Our speakers include:

• Randall C. Orndorff  Download presentation slides
  Director, Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey
  previously: Associate Program Coordinator, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, U.S. Geological Survey
   
• Dr. John T. Haynes  Download presentation slides
  Assistant Professor, Department of Geology & Environmental Science, James Madison University
   
• Alan F. Halfen  Download presentation slides
  Ph.D. Student, Department of Geography, University of Kansas

Webinar Co-sponsors: U.S. Geological Survey

Resources to Learn More:

• EDMAP Program Website
• Geoscience Currents #39: USGS EDMAP Program - Training the Next Generation of Geoscientists

Our speakers include:

• Dr. Peadar McArdle, Director, Geological Survey of Ireland
• Mr. Garth Earls, Director, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
• Prof. Pat Shannon, Professor of Geology, University College Dublin
• Dr. Deirdre Lewis, Technical Director for Mining & Minerals, SLR Consulting Ireland; Vice President, Institute of Geologists of Ireland

Webinar Co-sponsors: Geological Survey of Ireland, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Royal Irish Academy, Institute of Geologists of Ireland, and the University College Dublin.

There is an open discussion period after the presentations in which audience members from around the world to ask questions of the panelists.

To download the report, visit: www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/natural-resources/publications/pages/geoscience---towards-a-smarter-economy.aspx

In this webinar, Dr. Thomas D. Hoisch from Northern Arizona University examines the results from a survey of 783 students in introductory geology classes that were surveyed at Northern Arizona University during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. The survey evaluated the perceptions and attitudes toward the sciences that are offered as undergraduate degree programs: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, and Physics. The survey results indicate that misperceptions exist regarding the field of geology. Geology was perceived to be low in prestige, low in difficulty and low-paying relative to biology, chemistry, and physics. In addition, geology occupations were perceived to pay less than students’ minimum salary expectations. Student perceptions of prestige, difficulty and pay are significantly correlated, with students tending to associate higher pay with greater prestige and difficulty (Hoisch and Bowie, 2010). Read more in Currents #36.

References:
Hoisch, T.D., and Bowie, J.I., 2010, Assessing factors that influence the recruitment of majors from introductory geology classes at Northern Arizona University. J. Geoscience Education, v. 58, p. 166-176. http://nagt-jge.org/doi/pdf/10.5408/1.3544297

 

Download the presentation slides.

Following the presentations, there is a question and answer session with the speakers and webinar participants.

Our speakers include:

• Dr. Diane Stanitski, Climatologist & Program Manager, NOAA
• Dr. Rick Lumpkin, Physical Oceanographer, NOAA
• LCDR Michael J. Silah, Chief of Staff, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, NOAA

The presentations are followed by an question and answer session with the speakers and webinar participants.

Our panelists include:

• Carolyn Gramling, from EARTH Magazine, who discusses her career in science writing.
• Doug Prose, from the Earth Images Foundation, who explores the experience of becoming a film maker with a focus on earth science themes.
• John Copeland from Evergreen Films, a producer with extensive history in broadcast and cable TV productions, who looks at the role of geoscientists in consulting on projects.

Our speakers include:

• Leigh Freeman from Downing Teal, a leading recruiter of talent for the global minerals industry, who will look at the supply and demand trends for geoscientists in the minerals sector.
• James Steel from HSBC Securities (USA), who will explore both the metals trading sector and the numerous employment opportunities in the financial sector. (Note: this content was redacted due to the employer's requirements.)
• Gavin Mudd from Monash University, who will discuss workforce issues and developments in sustainable mining practices.

The presentations are followed by an question and answer session with the speakers and webinar participants.

Webinar Co-sponsors: Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG)

Collectively, the mega-trends in the Australian mining industry point to significant environmental challenges for the future of mining and mineral processing, such as potentially increased unit energy, pollutant, waste and water costs, and subsequently higher production costs. This will impact not only the demand for minerals and metals, but also drive the search for alternative technologies across exploration, mining, milling, smelting and refining. In the long term, it will increase the need for greater material efficiency and recycling.  Read more in Geoscience Currents #29.

Webinar Co-sponsors: Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG).