Industry Connections

IUGFS is a leading field venue in the geosciences

The “great crew change” is upon us.

From the US Department of Labor: "Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,200 openings for geoscientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire."

A 2014 American Geosciences Institute survey projected 150,000 to 200,000 unfulfilled geosciences jobs by 2021. At the same time, many universities have cut back on field-based training and the number of traditional summer field programs has declined by about 50% since the mid-1980’s.

Many current and former geoscience leaders believe that the geoscience lessons they learned in the field were the most important part of their education.  Indiana University and the Judson Mead Geologic Field Station continue to focus on strong field-based geoscience training.  Our courses are built on a foundation of strong geoscience fundamentals, complimented and enhanced by the latest concepts, tools and technologies.

In addition to our undergraduate and graduate academic programs, we offer field-based activities for the broader geoscience community.

Industry groups and professional societies are encouraged to contact us about:

  • field courses specifically designed for their needs and taught by our staff
  • use of our facility for courses taught by their staff
  • a site for conferences, retreats, and other meetings
  • activities to interact with potential student recruits

What do we have to offer?

  • state-of-the-art classroom/geotechnology center
  • idyllic alpine setting
  • remarkably diverse geology
  • comprehensive knowledge of the regional geology
  • modern, comfortable living quarters
  • affordable lodging and meals
  • planning and scheduling support

Schedule a retreat or activity at IUGFS

If you wish to schedule a company retreat, activity, or other special event at the Judson Mead Geologic Field Station, please contact us.

With the continued emergence of unconventional oil and natural gas plays, and conventional plays in more difficult geophysical and petrophysical imaging environments, it has become increasingly apparent that we need to get ‘back to the rocks.'

Dr. Scott Tinker, State Geologist of Texas, Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology of The University of Texas at Austin, and former president for both the AAPG and AGI. IUGFS, 1981