39-7 Bridging the Gap Between Coursework and Careers: NSF National Geophysical Facility Resources for Geodetic and Geophysical Career Awareness

Session: Learning to be a Geoscientist: Professional Exposure, Agency, and Transferable Skills in Undergraduate Education. (Posters)

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The geodetic and geophysical workforce is shrinking even as demand for precise positioning, timing, and hazard-monitoring expertise grows. This shortage is due in part to the limited presence of geodetic career pathways in secondary and undergraduate geoscience curricula. Faculty at two- and four -year institutions are uniquely positioned to close this gap as early exposure at this stage can shape whether students pursue geodetic and geophysical career paths.

This poster presents practical, low-lift strategies for integrating geodesy career awareness into existing geoscience courses without a full curricular overhaul. Attendees will gain practical entry points, including career spotlights, near-peer video testimonials, data-driven role-play scenarios, and internship messaging, that build students’ STEM identity and support efforts to address the national geodetic workforce shortage. 

The Geodetic Careers Table compiled by NSF National Geophysical Facility, profiles geodetic career and job roles, their representative tasks, salary data, required education levels (from technical certificates through graduate degrees), and linked video profiles. Because the table spans multiple entry points, using this with quick and easy strategies can help students, including those in technical, non-four-year, or career-change pathways, envision working in the field.

The poster also highlights resources directly usable in the classroom. The Women in Geoscience video series, the Explore Your Future career panel webinar, and paid internship programs (Geo-Launchpad, RESESS, and Career Internship Program) that provide authentic research experiences and workforce pipelines for undergraduate and graduate level students. It also presents the Near Surface Instrumentation loan program providing faculty with opportunities to borrow GPS/GNSS- RTK, ERT, GPR, and seismic refraction equipment for educational purposes at shipping-only costs.

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