Geologists Job Description: Employment Opportunities, Wages and Earnings, Required Skills and Education, Job Outlook
Submitted by: Cheska Davenport
Job Overview: Geologists are people who are trained to study the different aspects of the earth, such as its history and origin, structure, composition and interior characteristics. They make use of theoretical knowledge for practical purposes, such as locating groundwater, minerals, oil and natural resources. They have an important role with environmentalist groups as they study the different ways to preserve and clean up the environment. They are also hired by construction companies for consultation and advice about the building of various forms of infrastructure.
Education, Knowledge and Training Required: To become a geologist, one should have a bachelor’s degree in geology as a minimum requirement. However, most companies and organizations require higher levels of learning, thus a master’s degree in the same field would prove to be useful in order to land a good position in a company. Persons with backgrounds in courses such as chemistry, physics, computer science and mathematics are also essential in this kind of career, as long as they take up geology subjects on the side. To those who want to teach geology, they should as well have a doctorate degree in the said field. A number of colleges and universities are beginning to offer more advanced programs in geology, such as geophysical technology, geophysical engineering and engineering geology, which can be used for more technical positions and careers.
Skills and Abilities: Aside from the academic knowledge and expertise, geologists, especially those who work in the field, should have business administration skills and the ability to work with others as part of a team. They should as well have the passion for their career, as well as the knack for adventure, as they will be going to different places to explore earth characteristics which their companies would use for commercial, industrial or cause-worthy purposes. They also need to have good judgment, ability to think and decide on their own, as well as be creative.
Tasks: Geologists work on a number of specialized tasks, and these include locating and gathering physical material and data for study.
This work may include drilling deep holes to get samples, as well as the collection and examination of materials found from the excavation. Geologists usually spend three to six months of the year at the field, while they spend the remaining months at the laboratory doing various experiments and observations of the samples they have collected. They usually work under controlled pressures and temperature as these help in analyzing the physical and chemical properties of their specimens.
Earnings and Job Outlook: Starting salaries for geologists fall at $35,000 to $40,000 per year, while more seasoned specialists may earn an average of $71,640 per year. Most geologists are found in oil and petroleum companies, construction firms, while others who have extra time may also work a few hours as instructors or professors in colleges and universities, or as consultants in environmentalist groups.
Cheska Davenport is a career search strategist who focuses on creating power resumes and providing job search advice that aim to help individuals achieve their target goals in the job market.
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Word Count: 504 Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 Time: 5:57 AM
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