You see the earth with intellectual insights, your own deep-earth knowledge that others are blind to.

You work in storms and ice and desert furnace heat. You climb walls and descend into gorges. You use sophisticated electronics one day, and the next day you dig or chip with a hammer, scoop with a net, and you carry it all in your backpack, or in your Landcruiser.

You may spend considerable time at sea on academic research ships. Often you travel to remote field sites by helicopter, or 4-wheel-drive vehicles. You cover large areas on foot.

You work in foreign countries, sometimes in remote areas and under difficult conditions. Travel often is required to meet with prospective clients or investors. Fieldwork often requires working long hours.

You know how to read the rocks, the sediment, to probe the earth itself with electromagnetic devices the way a hospital probes a human body.

Because you worked hard to earn your degree in Geology and Earth Science, you have the amazing ability to predict catastrophes on a continental scale.

You travel far and wide, to lands across the globe. Adventure is the core nature of your field work.

You are a Geologist.

You study the composition, processes, and history of the Earth. You try to find out how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since their formation. You study the evolution of life by analyzing plant and animal fossils.

You have learned to use the principles of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to study not only the Earth’s surface, but also its internal composition, ground and surface waters, atmosphere, oceans, and magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces.

Within the two major disciplines of Geology and Geophysics are numerous subspecialties.

For example, petroleum geologists map the subsurface of the ocean or land as they explore the terrain for oil and gas deposits. They use sophisticated instrumentation and computers to interpret geological information.

Engineering geologists apply geologic principles to the fields of civil and environmental engineering, offering advice on major construction projects and assisting in environmental remediation and natural hazard-reduction projects.

Mineralogists analyze and classify minerals and precious stones according to their composition and structure. They study the environment surrounding rocks in order to find new mineral resources.

Sedimentologists study the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments, such as sand, silt, and mud. These sediments may contain oil, gas, coal, and many other mineral deposits.

Paleontologists study fossils found in geological formations to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geologic history of the Earth.

Stratigraphers examine the formation and layering of rocks to understand the environment which formed them.

Volcanologists investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena. They strive to predict the potential for future eruptions and hazards to human health and welfare.

Glacial geologists study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.

Geochemists study the nature and distribution of chemical elements in groundwater and earth materials.

Geophysicists specialize in areas such as geodesy, seismology, and magnetic geophysics.

Geodesists study the Earth’s size, shape, gravitational field, tides, polar motion, and rotation.

Seismologists interpret data from seismographs and other geophysical instruments, to detect earthquakes and locate earthquake-related faults.

Geomagnetists measure the Earth’s magnetic field. They employ measurements taken over the past few centuries to devise theoretical models that explain the Earth’s origin.

Paleomagnetists interpret fossil magnetization in rocks and sediments from the continents and oceans to record the spreading of the sea floor, the wandering of the continents, and the many reversals of polarity that the Earth’s magnetic field has undergone through time.

Other Geophysicists study atmospheric sciences and space physics.

Oceanographers use their knowledge of geology and geophysics, in addition to biology and chemistry, to study the world’s oceans and coastal waters. They study the motion and circulation of the ocean waters; the physical and chemical properties of the oceans; and how these properties affect coastal areas, climate, and weather.

Geoscientists in research positions (with the Federal Government or in colleges and universities) frequently are required to design programs and write grant proposals in order to fund their research. Geoscientists in consulting jobs face similar pressures to market their skills and write proposals so that they will have steady work.

Geoscientists can spend a large part of their time in the field, identifying and examining rocks, studying information collected by remote sensing instruments in satellites, conducting geological surveys, constructing field maps, and using instruments to measure the Earth’s gravity and magnetic field. They often perform seismic studies, for example, which involve bouncing energy waves off buried layers of rock, to understand the structure of the subsurface layers.

Many geoscientists work in the petroleum and natural gas industry, an industry that also employs numerous other workers whose jobs deal with the scientific and technical aspects of the exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas.

Most Geoscientists need a Master’s degree in Geology or Earth Science. A bachelor’s degree is only adequate for a few entry-level positions.

A Master’s degree is the preferred educational requirement for most entry-level research positions in private industry, Federal agencies, and State geological surveys.

A Ph.D. is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions, but it may not be preferred for other jobs.

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s or Master’s or even higher degree in a geoscience.

Traditional geoscience courses emphasizing classical geologic methods and topics (such as mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology) are important for all geoscientists. Because many jobs require foreign travel, knowledge of a second language is becoming increasingly beneficial.

About 24 percent of geoscientists are employed in architectural, engineering, and related services, and 18 percent work for oil and gas extraction companies. In 2006, State agencies such as State geological surveys and State departments of conservation employed about 2,900 geoscientists. Another 2,600 worked for the Federal Government, including geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers, mostly within the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the U.S. Department of Defense. About 2 percent of geoscientists were self-employed, most as consultants to industry or government.

Although employment growth will vary by industry, overall employment of geoscientists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates with a master’s degree can expect excellent job opportunities; very few geoscientist jobs are available to bachelor’s degree holders. Ph.D.s should face competition for basic research and college teaching jobs.

Median annual earnings of geoscientists were $72,660 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,860 and $100,650; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,740, the highest 10 percent more than $135,950.

The petroleum, mineral, and mining industries offer higher salaries, but less job security, than other industries because economic downturns sometimes cause layoffs.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in July 2007 for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in geology and related sciences averaged $40,786 a year.

In 2007, the Federal Government’s average salary was $87,392 for geologists, $100,585 for geophysicists, and 93,461 for oceanographers.

Work at remote field sites is common. A master’s degree is the primary educational requirement for most entry-level positions. And a Ph.D. is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions, but a master’s degree is preferred for most other geoscience jobs.

Do the rigors of the never-boring outdoor life of a Geologist call to you?

Then go earn the Master’s degree in Earth Science or Geology— one of those degrees is your door to adventure, to excellent salary and foreign travel.

Information on training and career opportunities for geologists is available from either of the following organizations:

• American Association of Petroleum Geologists, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, OK 74101. http://www.aapg.org
• American Geological Institute, 4220 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302-1502. http://www.agiweb.org

Information on obtaining a position as a geologist, geophysicist, or oceanographer with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not toll free, and charges may result.