Geologist (Geoscientist)

Career Overview

A Geologist studies the composition, structure, and processes related to the Earth in order to learn about the past, present, and future. They may collect samples out in the field and take these back to the laboratory to study them in detail.

Education

A four-year bachelor's degree in geoscience, geology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field is necessary to obtain this position. A higher degree (master's or doctorate) in a related field, which may take an additional two-five years to earn, would be more valuable.

Future Outlook

Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is projected to spur demand for geoscientists.

Work Environment

Most geoscientists split their time between working indoors in offices and laboratories, and working outdoors. Doing research and investigations outdoors is commonly called fieldwork and can require irregular working hours and extensive travel to remote locations.

Recommended High School Courses

Chemistry
Calculus
Physics
English
Advanced Functions
Vectors

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Interpret research or operational data.
Analyze geological or geographical data.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
Research geological features or processes.
Prepare maps.
Measure environmental characteristics.
Analyze environmental data.
Communicate results of environmental research.
Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
Monitor construction operations.
Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
Analyze geological samples.
Research hydrologic features or processes.
Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.
Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.

Schools

Albion College

Alfred University

Allegheny College

Amherst College

Appalachian State Univers...

Arizona State University

Arkansas Tech University

Auburn University

Ball State University

Bates College

Baylor University

Beloit College

Bemidji State University

Boise State University

Boston College

Bowling Green State Unive...

Brown University

Bucknell University

Cal Poly Pomona

California Institute Of T...

California Lutheran Unive...

California State Universi...

Central Washington Univer...

Colgate University

College Of William And Ma...

Colorado School Of Mines

Columbus State University

Depauw University

Earlham College

East Tennessee State Univ...

Eastern Illinois Universi...

Eckerd College

Edinboro University

El Centro College- Dallas...

Everett Community College

Florida Atlantic Universi...

Florida International Uni...

Florida State University

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hamilton College

Hartwick College

Hobart And William Smith...

Hope College

Indiana University- North...

Juniata College

Kent State University

Lafayette College

Lawrence University

Macalester College

Mansfield University Of P...

Marietta College

Miami University - Oxford...

Middle Tennessee State Un...

Midwestern State Universi...

Millsaps College

Minot State University

Missouri University Of Sc...

Mount Holyoke College

New Mexico Institute Of M...

New Mexico State Universi...

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Princeton University

Rensselaer Polytechnic In...

Saint Louis University-ma...

Smith College

Southern Illinois Univers...

Southern Utah University

St. Lawrence University

Stanford University

Sul Ross State University

Suny At Geneseo

Suny Plattsburgh

Texas Tech University

Union College- New York

University Of Alabama- Tu...

University Of Alaska

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University Of Arizona

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University Of Mary Washin...

University Of Michigan- A...

University Of Minnesota-...

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University Of North Carol...

University Of Puget Sound

University Of Texas- Dall...

University Of Texas- El P...

University Of Texas- Perm...

University Of Toledo

University Of Vermont

University Of Washington-...

University Of Wisconsin-...

Washington And Lee Univer...

Western Kentucky Universi...

Western Washington Univer...

Whitman College

Williams College

Acadia University

Algoma University- Sau...

Brandon University

Brock University

College Of The North A...

Mcgill University

Queen's University- Ki...

Saint Mary's Universit...

Trent University- Pete...

University Of Calgary

University Of Ottawa

University Of Quebec-...

University Of Regina

University Of Saskatch...

University Of Toronto-...

University Of Victoria

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$51,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$92,040.00 /yr

High End:

$187,910.00 /yr

Related Careers

Natural Science Policy Manager

Naturalist

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Agricultural & Food Scientists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.