Learn and Advance

Learn and Develop

By moving ahead in your career, or by guiding others, you can strengthen the Earth and space science community.

Finding and following your path

No matter your career stage, professional and career development are important to advancing yourself and helping guide others. AGU provides career and educational resources, webinars, mentoring services, and support for students and professionals at all levels in Earth and space science.

At AGU, we’re especially committed to inspiring and educating present and future generations of diverse, innovative, and creative Earth and space scientists. We know that the impact of our science grows when individuals and groups who aspire to contribute to science are welcomed and supported and when we have a strong pipeline. By helping all people at any stage of their careers, and through a commitment to creating ethical, inclusive and diverse work environments, we can strengthen the global Earth and space science community and broaden its positive impact on society.

careers

Career resources

  • AGU Bridge Program –The AGU Bridge Program is part of the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN), an effort to develop, adopt, and share inclusive practices for recruiting, admitting, and retaining historically marginalized students in STEM graduate programs. Partnered with 51 geoscience departments across the nation, the AGU Bridge Program offers students one free application to all partner departments, and a variety of resources and support along the way to their goals for graduate school.
  • Career Center Newsletter – This monthly email newsletter will provide you with tools to help advance your career. Tailored to students and early career scientists, it offers career and professional development articles and recent job postings.
  • On the Job blog – Visit the blog for career advice and workforce guidance for students, and early-career and established professionals who are interested in pursuing professional enrichment.
  • Resources for faculty – Check out our resources for faculty, including information about AGU’s Heads and Chairs program for leaders of Earth and space science departments or join the Education Section.
  • Eos career and education articles – Read the latest Eos articles related to education and careers.
  • AGU Connect – Have dynamic and real-time discussions with your peers about timely issues in Earth and space science.
  • Resources for K-12 education – Learn more about sharing Earth and space science with a K-12 audience through activities and resources from AGU.
  • Working at AGU – Apply for an open position at AGU and help us advance Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.


    Fellowships and internships
    Check out the many opportunities below for gaining valuable job experience in the Earth and space sciences.
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Congressional Science
Fellowship

This paid fellowship places scientists and other professionals in the offices of either a member of Congress or on a committee.
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REU

Visit the National Science Foundation's website on Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), which supports active research participation for undergraduate students in any area of research funded by NSF.
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Mass Media Fellowship

This paid fellowship is a 10-week summer internship at a traditional or online media outlet.
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Federal internships and job opportunities

If you’re a current student or recent graduate, you may be eligible for federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs.
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Internships at AGU

AGU offers paid internships working in departments ranging from public affairs and Eos to talent pool and meetings.
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AGU Bridge Program

Apply to our 51 partnered graduate programs with one free application. Students from historically marginalized backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Next Generation IRIS Internship Program

Go to IRIS.edu to learn about this eight- to 10-week paid summer internship in seismological research at an Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) member institution.

Post a job

Are you looking to recruit the best talent in Earth and space science? Post your open position on the AGU Career Center. We offer a range of packages to help you achieve the best exposure for your position. We can help whether you are looking to recruit a student position, reach our full Career Center audience, or increase your applicant pool.
Post a job
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About Paths Through Science

 

 

Paths Through Science is a tool for you to explore the many directions a career in the Earth and space science can take. You can investigate the fields represented in each sector (academia, government, industry, and nonprofit) or browse through our directory of profiles. We have also introduced video profiles for some of our Paths Through Science subjects.


Paths Through Science: "Glaciers are the interface between land, atmosphere, and ocean.”

Ethics and diversity in the scientific workplace

We envision a diverse, inclusive, and ethical scientific community where all participants are encouraged to develop to their full potential. A safe, inclusive and welcoming community will lead to better science and positive impacts on society. Historically, many of the disciplines and workplaces of Earth and space science have lacked diversity. Women and people of color still face obstacles and are under-represented. Further, individuals from these groups may experience harassment, bullying and discrimination at higher rates than others. These factors have shown a need for institutions, societies, and individuals themselves to learn how to appropriately and fully address the issues and promote a safe, inclusive environment for all scientists.

AGU is addressing harassment directly by establishing expectations of conduct within our community, promoting responsible science and ethical leadership practices, and expanding diversity. We were the first scientific society to define harassment as scientific misconduct within our formal Ethics Policy [PDF] and we are working to educate, promote and ensure responsible scientific conduct and foster a positive work climate in science through the AGU Ethics and Equity Center. 
Diversity and inclusion

Webinars

AGU Webinars help you reach your full career potential whether you’re strengthening your skills in a specific area or learning about new research and professional trends. Our library of  past and upcoming webinars is available for you to develop your skills and advance your professional knowledge at any time.
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Mentoring programs Icon mentor

We support several mentoring programs that establish connections between students/early career scientists and more experienced scientists. Our mentoring programs advance the scientific community by helping scientists build successful careers and networks in Earth and space science. Whether you are a mentor or a mentee, our programs can help you develop relationships with others who can help you learn and grow as a scientist.

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    Mentoring365 is a global opportunity that allows individuals who are interested in the Earth and space sciences (ESS) to connect one-on-one with other professionals for advice. Mentees and mentors can engage in one-time meetings or long-term connections to help move their careers and education forward. Learn more here or Apply to be a mentor or mentee today!

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    In addition to Mentoring365 one-on-one mentoring, we now offer Mentoring365 Circles. A group learning format that connects you with others in the Earth and space sciences who share common interests or learning objectives. Learn together as a group on various topics such as Careers outside of Academia or Science Communication. Learn more here or sign-up for Mentoring365 to join Circles!

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    College of Fellows Mentoring Network helps build professional networks, create opportunities, and reduce obstacles for recent PhD graduates in Earth and space science. Each network is composed of two senior scientists and six early career scientists.
Mentor and mentee sitting at table both looking at the screen of a laptop.

Curriculum Track resource guides

  • Careers in the Geosciences – a guide so that you can explore some basics about the variety of geoscience careers that are available with some suggested resources and discussion prompts for you and your mentor.

  • Data Sharing – this resource guide can help you obtain and improve skills around data and software management, preservation, and sharing.

  • Finding Your Career – this guide is designed to help you in career journey and finding the right fit for you.

  • Graduate School – this provides resources to help you in the graduate school application process

  • Science Communication – guidance about science communication fundamentals and why it is an important skill from AGU’s Sharing Science Program.

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Contacts

Pranoti Asher, Assistant Director Grants & Education

Pranoti Asher

Assistant Director Grants & Education

+1-202-777-7522 | [email protected]

Liz Gilden, Program Manager, Mentoring and Careers.

Liz Gilden

Program Manager, Mentoring and Careers

+1-276-221-0212 | [email protected]

Waverly Lau, Mentoring Program Coordinator

Waverly Lau

Mentoring Program Coordinator

+1-202-777-7532 | [email protected]

Student science competitions

AGU offers student-oriented science challenges that allow students at different levels to develop new practices and hone professional skills that will help them build careers in Earth and space science. Our competitions were created to allow students of diverse backgrounds from around the globe to participate in educational scientific activities. They are administered with support from AGU members who serve as volunteer judges. We also offer a program that enables young students to present their research at Fall Meeting. Discover which student science competition is the best fit for you.
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OSPA

The Outstanding Student Presentation Awards (OSPA) program is focused on recognizing students for quality research and presentation skills during AGU meetings.
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Virtual Poster Showcase

The Virtual Poster Showcase (VPS) is a guided peer review and online presentation competition for Earth and space science. Winners receive travel funds to attend the next Fall Meeting.
Bright Stars

Bright STaRs

The Bright Students Training as Research Scientists (Bright STaRS) program allows middle and high school students to present their own research results at Fall Meeting and learn about exciting opportunities in Earth and space science.
Data Visualization and Storytelling

Data Visualization

The AGU Michael H. Freilich Student Visualization Competition, funded by a generous grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is focused on challenging students to present their data in new and creative ways.

Travel and research grants and scholarships

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Through our travel and research grants and scholarships, we help promote the professional development of the next generation of Earth and space scientists and enable the next era of scientific discoveries. These programs provide the opportunity for scientists to participate in career-building activities early in their careers.

We offer travel grants for students planning to attend AGU meetings and conferences. The program provides financial assistance to U.S. and international early career scientists and students who have little or no support from research contracts or grants, and who are presenting for the first time at a conference. Our research grants and scholarships provide the support necessary for students and early career scientists to complete research and advance their education and careers.

Travel and Research Grants

Available fellowships, grants, and scholarships

Applications open 6 July, Close 10 August 2022

Beginning in 2021, the Basu Innovation Scholar Grant, provided through the generosity of Sunanda Basu, will provide travel support (up to $2000) to an early-career scientist / recent Ph.D. graduate making an impact in the area of space physics and aeronomy, through innovative approaches to observation and interpretation, to attend AGU Fall Meeting and will complement the William B. Hanson Lecture.

The Bruno Martinelli Travel Fellowship provides funding for Latin American science graduate students or early career scientists to attend and present a paper on a volcano-related topic at an international conference or workshop of their choice (not including AGU’s Fall Meeting).

Various deadlines

Individual Chapman conferences may offer travel grants for students to support attendance. Please refer to the specific conference webpage for more information and to inquire about possible travel assistance.

Applications open 8 July, Close 10 August 2022

The David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship is awarded to high school and undergraduate students studying energy and environmental science.

Applications open 6 July, Close 10 August 2022

The David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the geo-environmental sciences and geo-environmental engineering. Applicants do not need to attend AGU’s Fall Meeting to be eligible, nor do they automatically receive a travel grant for the Fall Meeting.

The Dr. Edmond M. Dewan Young Scientist Scholarship for Atmospheric Sciences and Space Physics is awarded to graduate students studying atmospheric science and space physics.

Applications open 6 July, Close 10 August 2022

The Berkner Fellowship is awarded to early career scientists and students under 35 years of age who are citizens of countries designated by the World Bank as “low” or “lower-middle” income per capita.

Applications open 6 July, Close 10 August 2022

The Fall Meeting Student Travel Grant provides financial assistance for student presenters at AGU’s Fall Meeting to offset costs associated with attending in-person or participating virtually. Any AGU student member presenting at the Fall Meeting may apply, but preference will be given to students from demographic groups that are underrepresented in the sciences.

Applications open now, Closing 16 May 2022

The Frontiers In Hydrology Berkner Travel Fellowship is awarded to early career scientists and students under 35 years of age who are citizens of countries designated by the World Bank as “low” or “lower-middle” income per capita.

The Frontiers In Hydrology Meeting Early Career Travel Grant provides early career professionals (within 10 years of their highest degree earned) presenting at the meeting with financial assistance. All early career presenters may apply, but preference will be given to individuals from historically marginalized communities or vulnerable populations.

The Frontiers In Hydrology Meeting Student Travel Grant provides financial assistance to student presenters at the Meeting. All students presenting at the meeting may apply, but preference will be given to students from historically marginalized communities or vulnerable populations.

The GSSI Student Grant is awarded to AGU student members who have designated the Near-Surface Geophysics Section as one of their AGU affiliations.

Up to three Horton Research Grants are awarded each year to Ph.D. candidates in hydrology or water resources research.

The June Bacon-Bercey Scholarship in Atmospheric Sciences for Women supports women students with a demonstrated interest in atmospheric sciences and intersections with meteorology as they establish their studies and build careers in the field. Honoring the legacy of June Bacon-Bercey, America’s first female television meteorologist, the scholarship will recognize that the awardee’s accomplishments are outstanding for their career-stage and will acknowledge that the awardee shows exceptional promise for continued contributions to the atmospheric sciences.

Now accepting applications for JpGU-AGU Meeting Student Travel Grants and JpGU-AGU Meeting Berkner Travel Fellowships to help provide financial assistance to JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020 attendees.

Beginning in 2021, The Lawrence A. Taylor Research Fund in Petrology and Geochemistry, provided through the generosity of Dong-Hwa Shin (Dawn) Taylor, will provide $4000 grants for two PhD students pursuing research in the fields of Petrology and/or Geochemistry and who demonstrate excellent research in their field.

Beginning in 2020, AGU’s Seismology, Atmospheric Sciences, and Ocean Sciences Sections are proud to offer Paros Scholarships in Geophysical Instrumentation in the amount of $5,000 to recognize outstanding graduate students demonstrating interest in geophysical instrumentation and precision field measurements. Three scholarships will be awarded annually and can be used to relieve the financial burden associated with graduate studies but does not have to be directly applied to the winners’ research projects or studies. AGU membership is not a requirement nor do applicants have to hold primary membership in AGU’s Seismology, Atmospheric Sciences or Ocean Sciences Section.

Newly developed; Annually awarded starting in 2021

WONDER endeavors to address inequalities in Earth and space sciences by providing grant support to a Black or Indigenous woman with a demonstrated interest in Earth science to attend an AGU conference. The goal is to encourage undergraduate and graduate women from these underrepresented groups to pursue a career in earth or space sciences by helping them broaden their scientific knowledge and build their personal and professional networks.

Follow the latest in education and career development

  • Career Center newsletter – This monthly email newsletter will provide you with tools to help advance your career. Tailored to students and early career scientists, it offers career and professional development articles and recent job postings.
  • On the Job blog – On the Job is an AGU blog, that provides career advice and workforce guidance to Earth and space science students, as well as early-career and established professionals who are interested in pursuing professional enrichment.
  • Webinars – AGU webinars help you reach your full career potential whether you’re strengthening your skills in a specific area or learning about new research and professional trends. Sign up for an upcoming webinar or view our archive of past webinars.
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