Home Find a Job Advertise Knock 'em Dead

Geologist

A geologist is an earth scientist that studies the physical workings of the earth, and sometimes even of other planets in our solar system. Geology is a broad field, and includes areas of specialty in hydrogeology (the study of water), sedimentology (the study of rocks and sediment), mineralogy (the study of minerals), and paleontology (the study of prehistoric life), to name just a few areas of specialization.

The career outlook for a geologist is good. They make on average $38-$48 thousand a year.

A geologist may apply studies in one or more of these areas to a variety of environmentally related issues.

Some ways that geologists help in building a more sustainable environment include studying and protecting groundwater resources, investigating marine geology conditions that affect aquatic life, and studying the impact of human activities on natural resources. There are many ways that geologists can used their specialized training to understand the workings of the physical environment and prevent or minimize the impact of human activities on the environment.

Geology is a fascinating field that's ideal for someone who loves spending time doing field research and is interested in learning about the physical structures and processes of the earth. A geologist often spends periods of time in the field taking samples and making observations for scientific analysis. Geologists must have good quantitative analysis skills in order to analyze and report on measurements taken in the field, and must also be able to communicate effectively to serve as consultants to businesses, organizations, and government agencies. If you enjoy a combination of innovative scientific discovery, evaluating the impact of human behavior on the environment, working to come up with creative solutions, and working closely with clients to make recommendations and explain the environmental impact of proposed projects, then you may enjoy a career as a geologist.

Most geologists complete advanced studies in a specific area of specialization within geology. Because geology is such a complex field, a master's degree or higher is typically required for geologist positions. Introductory courses in mathematics, statistics, physics, mechanics, geology, oceanography, and related subjects may be helpful in preparing for undergraduate and graduate level study in geology. During the course of advanced geology studies, most students will study these subjects in greater detail and received advanced training in a focused area of specialization.

Geologist Resources

*The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks
*The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology
*A Field Manual for the Amateur Geologist: Tools and Activities for Exploring Our Planet

Geothermal Power Jobs

Share your story!

Do you have a career in this field? Share it!

Enter Your Career

Tell Us Your Story! [ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional) [ ? ]

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

new graduated Not rated yet
• Geothermal energy project proposal (demonstrated as two seminars), 1st one is (the geothermal energy as sustainable & renewable energy), whereas the ...