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Geoscientists

Also called: Geologist, Geophysicist, Project Geologist, Mine Geologist

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Navy.

What they do:
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
On the job, you would:
  • Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
  • Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
  • Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics
Math and Science
  • geography
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • reading work related information
  • using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal
  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems
Math
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software
  • EarthWorks Downhole Explorer
  • RockWare Geochemist's Workbench GWB
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Geosoft Oasis montaj
Computer aided design CAD software
  • Atoll GeoCAD
  • Trimble Terramodel

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$84,470
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about geoscientists.