John Stone

In January 2026, five ESS undergraduates and Associate Professor John Stone travelled to Vancouver, Canada, to attend the Association for Mineral Exploration’s annual “Round-up” conference. The Round-up is a student-focused mineral industry conference, job fair and networking event for early-career geologists interested in the mineral industry. For the ESS students who attended, this was a chance to meet and talk to geologists working in the industry, discover the breadth of exploration science and technology, and learn about the wide range of career opportunities in the field.

Interest in the conference highlights the growing importance of economic geology in locating the resources society will need to develop renewable energy infrastructure, re-build industrial supply chains, and support technological advances in computing, defense, fusion energy, space travel and other areas in the future. As demand grows, geologists will play an essential role in responsibly identifying and developing these resources while managing environmental and social impacts.

This year the meeting was especially lively, fueled by the stratospheric gold price and worldwide interest in critical minerals. Within minutes of walking into the Exhibition Hall, all agreed they’d never seen so many geologists concentrated in a single place; by Monday at lunchtime, each student had received at least one job offer!

Two of the students who attended are already working in Alaska, and a third is heading to the Colorado School of Mines to get a master’s degree before entering the industry.

Commenting on the experience, students said:

“I talked to numerous companies and learned that the Canadian mining industry is currently booming. As a senior who is looking to enter the workforce within the next year, this was welcome news, as the rest of the job market seems saturated and hard to break into.” – Mick Jordan (UW ESS B.S. 2026)

Mick Jordan

“Getting the opportunity to speak with professionals in a geology/ geoscience industry was incredibly affirming in the decision to pursue my degree. I met many individuals who were not only passionate about what they do but also excited to share their experiences with a university student.” – Carson Wilson (UW ESS B.S. 2026)

“Getting the opportunity to speak with professionals in a geology/ geoscience industry was incredibly affirming in the decision to pursue my degree.” – Carson Wilson (UW ESS B.S. 2026)

“I got to see how what we learn in class is applied and, for the first time, think about how I can use my knowledge to help solve practical problems in an industrial setting. The conference made me feel connected to a community for the first time since I joined the UW. It was gratifying to find a room full of people who value the skills I’ve been taught and want me to apply for a job, they are asking me! It makes me feel valuable, and useful again! I will always feel grateful for my professor who cared and our sponsor who made sure that funding couldn’t hold us back!” – David Lovett (UW ESS B.S. 2026)

When compiling the “Class of 2026” webpage, which includes asking students about their favorite memory or experience with the ESS program, both Mick and Carson said attending the AME Round-up conference was their best memory.

The costs of travel and accommodation for those who attended were largely covered by the Eric Cheney Faculty Support Fund. The fund is named for Emeritus Professor Eric Cheney, who taught economic geology courses to innumerable geology students from the early 1960s up to his retirement in 2005. Many who got their start through Eric’s teaching have contributed to the fund — some are still attending the Round-up each year. This experience is a great example of how support from ESS endowments can launch careers for our students and change their lives.

Another group of ESS students hopes to repeat the experience in January next year.

Learn more about the Eric Cheney Faculty Support Fund here.

John Stone