University is a time of self-discovery. You are sampling courses from all different disciplines and trying to decide what your specialization should be. If you are thinking about geophysics, and how much you enjoyed the introductory course you took as your first year's science requirement, then maybe you would enjoy pursuing a degree in this area of study. To get you thinking more about this, here are three careers where you would be able to use your degree and enjoy the work that you are doing.

​Earthquake and Tectonic Plate Monitoring/Research

Geophysicists are hired on at stations that monitor the tectonic plates and fault lines of the Earth. They work closely with seismologists​ to determine when another earthquake may occur, and just where it may occur. As a geophysicist, you utilize physics and mathematical calculations to predict just how large those upcoming earthquakes will be and whether or not people should evacuate their homes if they live near fault lines. Additionally, you monitor and research the tectonic plates along fault lines for even the tiniest of movements, because tectonic plate movement is a good indicator of how the geological features of an area have changed, will change, or are starting to change.

​Volcanic Researchers

Right now, volcanic activity in Hawaii is just starting to slow down after quite an eruption and devastating season. Any geophysicist would love to go to this American state and check out the lava flows, the activity, and the many daily changes in land mass as a result of the flows. Special teams are sent to do research when a major volcano erupts, and you could be on a team that does just that the next time a major volcano blows, but only if you complete your geophysics degree in time.

​Archaeological Digs

Geophysicists play an important part on archaeological digs, too. It would be your job to determine what land features are completely natural versus what features are too unnatural to be anything other than a buried civilization or caves. Geophysicists are the "dowsing rods" to finding great archaeological expeditions and dig sites. Once a site is under excavation, you get to stick around and help determine just how far underground this particular site may stretch. The work may be boring from hour to hour, but the discoveries made during the work are anything but boring. You may even enjoy the "boring" moments!

To learn more about these and other career options, consider contacting companies like Initial Exploration Services to see what a geophysics major would do for them.