Geology as a Career

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Russian State Geological Prospecting University n. a. Sergo Ordzhonikidzе (MGRI-RSGPU)

Geology as a Career

Victoria Prokhorova

Contents

geologist graduate assistantship

1. Geologist Salaries and the Economic Slowdown

1.1 It's Still a Good Time to Be a Geologist!

1.2 Are People Rushing to Become Geologists to Earn this High Pay?

1.3 Will the High Rates of Pay for Geologists Continue?

1.4 Should I Pursue a Degree in Geology?

2. What is Geology? - What Does a Geologist Do?

2.1 What Does a Geologist Do?

2.2 Employment Outlook

2.3 How Can You Become a Geologist?

3. Graduate Study in Geology - Graduate Student Life

3.1 Goals

3.2 Milestones

3.3 Mentoring

3.4 Extracurricular Activities

4. Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships in Geology

4.1 Research Assistantships

4.2 Teaching Assistantships

4.3 Graduate Fellowships

4.4 Funding

1. Geologist Salaries and the Economic Slowdown

1.1 It's Still a Good Time to Be a Geologist!

Although the news is full of stories about recession and unemployment, the demand for geologists is stronger than in most other business sectors. There have been layoffs, especially in the mineral resources sector, however, the long-term outlook is good and will strengthen as economic conditions improve.

Salaries and demand for geologists often mirror the price of geological commodities such as fuels, metals and construction materials. At present, low prices for some of these commodities have resulted in layoffs. However those same low prices support demand.

There are also many jobs for geologists outside of the mineral resource sector. These jobs are in the environmental, government and education sectors. At present there are many interesting, good-paying jobs and the outlook is good for newly degreed geologists.

1.2 Are People Rushing to Become Geologists to Earn this High Pay?

There is a "professional pipeline" for geologists. To qualify for a geoscience job a person must earn at least a bachelor's degree. Many earn a master's degree to compete more effectively in the job market. This education typically takes between four and six years. So, anyone who enters the "pipeline" now will not reach the job market for a few more years. Although projections are optimistic, a person who begins working on a degree now could find a different employment environment upon graduation.

A "rush to become a geologist" is not evident in university enrollments. For the past ten years the number of people enrolled in geoscience programs has been close to steady as documented by the AGI enrollment survey. A flood of new geology graduates is not in the pipeline to meet the expected demand.

The AGI data also shows that about 20,000 people in the undergraduate degree pipeline has yielded only about 2,800 undergraduate degrees per year. If we assume that the average student declares a geoscience major about three years prior to graduation, the expected number of degrees per year should be about double the number produced. However, these are challenging programs, often requiring calculus, physics, chemistry and other demanding courses. Dedicated students persist to a degree but those with inadequate preparation or desire often select a new career path.

1.3 Will the High Rates of Pay for Geologists Continue?

It is difficult to predict the future. In the current economic environment, a leveling or slight decline in pay rates would not be a surprise. Demand for geologists in the petroleum and mineral resources sectors will continue to be driven by the prices of commodities. Logic suggests that these finite resources are becoming harder to find. Growth in population and affluence will put upward pressure on prices. There were major layoffs in the oil industry in 1986 and 1993 in response to price declines. In both instances, prices eventually recovered. Similar trends occur in the mineral resource sector. The conclusion: Based upon history, employment and salary levels are cyclical.

The number of geologists working in environmental jobs has been growing steadily for over a decade, driven by increased government spending and environmental regulations. Legislatures rather than commodity prices drive the employment of these geologists. Employment in these areas has steadily increased because citizens and governments are now more concerned about issues such as pollution, land use and climate change. The ideals that drive the environmental movement are likely to continue and that will support geologist hirings and salaries.

1.4 Should I Pursue a Degree in Geology?

The standard advice of selecting a career that you will love instead of one that pays a lot of money applies well here. Economic conditions change over time and the demand for geologists will go through cycles. So, if you are going into geology because you think that you will earn a lot of money you might be disappointed. However, if you go into geology because you love the subject and work hard to be among the best then you should find many opportunities for interesting work.

2. What is Geology? - What Does a Geologist Do?

Geology is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them. It includes the study of organisms that have inhabited our planet. An important part of geology is the study of how Earth's materials, structures, processes and organisms have changed over time.

2.1 What Does a Geologist Do?

Geologists work to understand the history of our planet. The better they can understand Earth's history the better they can foresee how events and processes of the past might influence the future. Here are some examples:

Geologists study earth processes: Many processes such earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions can be hazardous to people. Geologists work to understand these processes well enough to avoid building important structures where they might be damaged. If geologists can prepare maps of areas that have flooded in the past they can prepare maps of areas that might be flooded in the future. These maps can be used to guide the development of communities and determine where flood protection or flood insurance is needed.

Geologists study earth materials: People use earth materials every day. They use oil that is produced from wells, metals that are produced from mines, and water that has been drawn from streams or from underground. Geologists conduct studies that locate rocks that contain important metals, plan the mines that produce them and the methods used to remove the metals from the rocks. They do similar work to locate and produce oil, natural gas and groundwater.

Geologists study earth history: Today we are concerned about climate change. Many geologists are working to learn about the past climates of earth and how they have changed across time. This historical geology news information is valuable to understand how our current climate is changing and what the results might be.

Geology as a Career: Geology can be a very interesting and rewarding career. The minimum training required is a four-year college degree in geology. Pre-college students who are interested in becoming geologists should take a full curriculum of college preparatory courses, especially those in math, science, and writing. Courses related to computers, geography and communication are also valuable.

Geologists work in a variety of settings. These include: natural resource companies, environmental consulting companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities. Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others spend their time in laboratories, classrooms or offices. All geologists prepare reports, do calculations and use computers.

Although a bachelor's degree is required for entry level employment, many geologists earn master's and/or doctorate degrees. The advanced degrees provide a higher level of training, often in a geology specialty area such as paleontology, mineralogy, hydrology or volcanology. Advanced degrees will often qualify the geologist for supervisory positions, research assignments or teaching positions at the university level. These are some of the most sought after jobs in the field of geology.

Employment opportunities for geologists are very good. Most geology graduates with a strong academic background and good grades have no trouble finding employment if they are willing to move to a location where work is available.

2.2 Employment Outlook

Over the next several years the number of geology job openings is expected to exceed the number of students graduating from university geology programs. Starting salaries for geologists have recently ranged from $50,000 to $100,000 per year.

2.3 How Can You Become a Geologist?

If you are a pre-college student can prepare to become a geologist by doing well in all of your courses. Science courses are especially important but math, writing, and other disciplines are used by every geologist during every working day.

If you are considering college or graduate school there are many universities that offer courses or programs in geology. Visit the website of a school that offers a geology degree, get in touch with the geology department, let them know you are interested and make arrangements to visit the campus. Don't be hesitant. Good schools and professors want to be contacted by interested students.

3. Graduate Study in Geology - Graduate Student Life

So, you just arrived for your first day of Geology grad school. Welcome to the next 2-10 years of your life! Your program may be a major research department with 40 faculty members. You may be sitting on the beach in California or surrounded by corn fields in the Midwest. Alternatively, you may be a Geology senior wondering what to do next year, or a 7th-year PhD student trying to figure out where things went wrong. Either way, hearing how others have navigated the graduate student experience may help you maximize the educational, scientific, and life opportunities now open to you.

3.1 Goals

Where do I want to be when this grad-school thing is ? The answers to these questions depend, for starters, on whether you are in a Masters or PhD program. Many Geo departments with grad programs offer both MS and PhD degrees; some offer only the MS; and a few departments funnel in-coming students straight into the PhD, with or without a MS already in-hand. MS programs at most U.S. universities are designed to last about 2 years, whereas PhD programs may range from 3 years to 6 years ] up to well almost anything if unexpected obstacles or problems arise. The general rule-of-thumb is that a MS degree is an apprenticeship - a guided training experience for an advanced technical career in the field. The MS research project does not need to produce original science, and it should be limited in scope and duration. In contrast, the PhD degree must break new and original ground so that upon completion, the graduate can join industry or academia with all the experience and knowledge necessary for a career in scientific research.

Speaking of industry or academia, it's never too early to be asking yourself what kind of a career you have in mind. The answer need not, and probably should not, be final, but there are distinctions that matter even now. Many grad students imagine themselves in their professor's place 10 years down the line, teaching a couple of classes, running fat NSF grants, and jetting around for field work all over the world. Truth be told, yes, it's a good life. At the same time, a dirty little secret of all the sciences these days is that academic jobs are relatively scarce, and the best university positions are extremely competitive. The Ivy League schools and first-tier research institutions are particularly sought-after, and doubly so if you want to live on a coast or close to ski slopes. The good news is that a broad range of great careers are open to Geology graduates, including jobs in universities, government agencies and labs, and industry.

3.2 Milestones

Between now and graduation, what major hoops will I need to jump through to get my degree? The answer depends on whether you're in a MS or PhD program, on the specific requirements of your department, and on the expectations of your advisor. Some very rough timelines are laid out in the illustration to the right. In general, students will spend their first year of grad school mainly taking classes. During that time, they should be moving towards a thesis topic. In almost all PhD programs, a formal dissertation proposal is required, and in many MS programs as well. A good opportunity to get the proposal out of the way is to submit applications for the Grants-in-Aid programs from the GSA, AAPG, and Sigma Xi. These applications require you to think through your thesis topic and often can be the same document as your thesis proposal. No matter what, some sort of plan is essential for you to start field work during the summer after your first year.

Ah, field work - the reason most of us went into Geology in the first place! The first question a student shopping for grad schools asks is where their field area would be. Faculty in my department here at SIUC have projects in Antarctica, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, and all over North America. Foreign travel is great, although the finances and the logistics make for some additional challenges. For a MS student to finish in the prescribed two years, most or all field work needs to be done in the summer after his or her first year. That leaves time for sample prep and/or lab analyses early the next fall, with time for writing after that. The PhD schedule is stretched relative to the MS, with two or more field seasons typically expected and a couple more years to wrap things up. If a PhD student can fit a full semester or quarter of field work into the 1st or 2nd year, I higly recommend that, especially for work in the Southern Hemisphere.

PhD students also need to plan and schedule to take "Comprehensive" Exams or whatever their program calls this milestone. These exams may be oral, written, or both, and will typically include questions on the student's graduate classwork, their research focus area, and potentially anything else across the full spectrum of the geosciences and related fields. Successfully passing the Comprehensive Exam means that the students has "advanced to candidacy" - a term which I've never understood. In addition, some PhD programs have additional hoops to jump through, such as a separate exam in the student's area of specialization and/or a defense of the dissertation proposal. Finally, for both the MS and PhD, the show ends with the formal defense of the thesis or dissertation.

3.3 Mentoring

Potentially the most important relationship you will have during the next few years of life in grad school is not with your Mom, not with your dog, but rather with your thesis advisor. And with the possible exception of your girlfriend or boyfriend, no other relationship makes as much difference whether you will remain a balanced and reasonably contented human being or be completely miserable. Advisors - like ice cream - come in a variety of flavors and textures. A few sample flavors are listed below, as viewed by the advisor and by the advisee:

Now for equal time, grad students also come in a variety of flavors:

The truth is that it's typically not a matter of a good or bad advisor, or a good or bad student, so much as a good match between personality types. Another key element seems to be a mutual and clear understanding of advisor and student expectations. An outstanding resource for in-coming graduate students is "How to Get the Mentoring You Want" at the University of Michigan website and the corresponding guide for faculty advisors. These guides recommend an initial meeting at which the student should talk about his or her background, goals, and work style, and at which the advisor should talk about expectations for research progress, requirements for continued funding, policies on authorship of abstracts and papers, turn-around time to edit student manuscripts or write recommendation letters, etc.

3.4 Extracurricular Activities

Don't tell your advisor that I said this, but. Go get a life! I look back at my own grad-school experience as the best 15 years of my life. When everything's going well, the school and science can mesh with travel, lots of the outdoors, and plenty of quality social interaction. On the other hand, some people talk about grad-school experiences that range from trying to miserable. I attribute my own positive experience to taking advantage of outside activities, having advisors who were tolerant of those outside activities, and a great group of peers and friends with whom to share both the geological and extracurricular opportunities. Where else but Geology grad school are you going to find a bunch of smart, young, single, good- to great-looking, outdoorsy people all within a few office doors of you? No more life coaching here, but you get the idea - enjoy the full range of opportunities available to you within the constraints of steady and systematic progress towards your graduate degree. These two goals are not irreconcilable.

4. Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships in Geology

Graduate students in geology have opportunities rarely available to undergraduate students to support their education in the form of graduate assistantships or fellowships. Both are awarded on a competitive basis. Depending on the type of award, funding may support only educational expenses, although some awards support both educational and living expenses. The three most common options for graduate student support in geology are research assistantship (RA), teaching assistantship (TA), and a fellowship.

4.1 Research Assistantships

Generally, a research assistantship is funded through an external grant awarded to one of the faculty. The professor who obtained the grant has significant say in who gets the appointment. Interested parties in a research assistantship should contact the professor directly for more information. Your best strategy is to choose a particular research area, then contact faculty that share that interest at different universities across the country. You must sell your skills to the professor. Your research interests, and the perceptions of the professor of your ability to carry out research in that area, may significantly help your application and open doors to a challenging and rewarding research project that provides a thesis topic, as well as financial support for your education.

4.2 Teaching Assistantships

A university hires graduate teaching assistants to support their teaching mission. Most teaching assistants act as instructors in introductory laboratories or help with grading. If you have some strong skills in a particular area of geology, you may be assigned to assist in one of the upper level courses. For example, a strong background in mineralogy may make you particularly well suited to assist in a mineralogy laboratory. Applicants for a teaching assistantship must convince the graduate admissions committee that they would make competent teachers, and that their English speaking skills are excellent. This is particularly important for the international applicant. A broad background in the geological sciences and a solid academic record are requirements for most teaching assistantships.

4.3 Graduate Fellowships

Unlike graduate assistantships, most, but not all fellowships do not require a specific work assignment. These fellowships are much like undergraduate scholarships, providing funds for tuition, fees, and living expenses. As you might expect, fellowships are awarded through a highly competitive process, and only the best students obtain them. Most require significant academic achievement at the undergraduate level, with strong scores in the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Some fellowships were specifically created to encourage woman and minorities to choose a graduate education in the geological sciences. Many graduate programs nominate students that they believe are competitive for these awards.

4.4 Funding

Not all graduate assistantships and fellowships are created equal, so be very careful when comparing offers. At first glance, one offer may look substantially better than another, but be sure to check the fine print. For example, one graduate assistantship may only provide direct financial support in the form of a stipend. You may have to pay tuition and fees from this stipend. Another assistantship may come with a small stipend, but waive tuition. Still another may not completely waive tuition, but provide in-state tuition to someone from out-of-state. Remember that the cost of education is also influenced by the cost of living in a community. In California, rent may be significantly greater than that in a small Midwestern town. Finally, both teaching and research assistantships require a work commitment. Most are “half time”, which means that you are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week, although quarter time assistantships are common at some universities. Also, perceptions of what constitutes a 20 hour work week vary by institution, so another question you should ask after receiving an offer is what a typical assignment entails. Would you be expected to teach four labs a week, or three? How many hours per week would you have direct contact with the students?

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