In general, from an 18 year olds perspective, if you like geology and have a calling for it then go for it. You don’t have to choose an industry yet really, but be aware you have a limited set of options. In the private sector (non government job) Geology is somewhat limited to mining, environmental, engineering (geotech), and (feel for you guys) oil and gas. In your education you can get classes in computer drafting including GIS and AutoCAD and can make a career doing that too if that’s your talent.

If you do mining, geotech, or environmental, you’re going to have to pay dues by working in the field for long hours and long stretches (months to years) which is not easy and extremely hard if you have a family etc., but awesome if you are into it and can swing it. In mining and oil and gas you’re going to have to deal with commodities and the boom and bust of the markets (I was in MinEx but Ag mine shut-down in 2013 and so I got into geotech in PNW).

If you pay dues, excel, and get certifications etc., you can either be an expert at technical tasks, or get into project management (PM). Really... you’ll want to be all the above (technical master/PM and businessman) in whatever industry you choose about 5 to 10 years in. Government jobs I have no idea about.