Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for geoscientists in the United States
Are geoscientist jobs in demand?
Geoscientist job and salary trends over time
Geoscientist jobs over time
Geoscientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 594 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 701 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 734 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 735 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 717 | 0.00% |
Average geoscientist salary over time
Geoscientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $110,629 | $53.19 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $108,808 | $52.31 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $107,732 | $51.79 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $106,219 | $51.07 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $106,136 | $51.03 | +0.1% |
Geoscientist jobs by state
Most common states for geoscientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 24 | 0% |
| 2 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 13 | 0% |
| 3 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 8 | 0% |
| 4 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 5 | 0% |
| 5 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 4 | 0% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3 | 0% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 8 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 2 | 0% |
| 9 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2 | 0% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1 | 0% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 1 | 0% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1 | 0% |
| 14 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1 | 0% |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for geoscientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $73,163 |
| 2 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $82,256 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $73,438 |
| 4 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $135,535 |
| 5 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $86,209 |
Geoscientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of geoscientist experts
Western Oregon University
Michigan State University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
University of Indianapolis
University of North Dakota
Temple University
California State University - Bakersfield
Fort Lewis College
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi professor
Utah State University
Eastern Washington University
Western Kentucky University
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Sul Ross State University
University of New Orleans
California Institute of Technology
Temple University
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Dr. Jeffrey Templeton Ph.D.: As the global economy continues to shift to one requiring workers to increasingly develop proficiencies in computer-based technology and problem-solving skills, students should strive to gain Geographic Information Science experience through their undergraduate coursework.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jeffrey Templeton Ph.D.: Students and recent graduates should begin the process of professional licensure as Geologists-in-Training by sitting for nationally recognized ASBOG Fundamental Geology exam, under the auspices of the National Association of State Boards of Geology. Successful exam completion and work experience allows recent graduates to become professionally licensed geologists in over 30 states across the U.S.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jeffrey Templeton Ph.D.: Essential geoscience workforce skills include scientific observation, data analysis, visualization, communication, teamwork, and project management. For geoscientists, depending on the specific field, these may include skills such as field observation, data recording, field surveying, geospatial technology application, data entry and tabulation, graphing and mapping, and report preparation.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
J. Anthony Sauder PE, PG (he/him): New graduates without field experience in geology should welcome the opportunity to get as varied an experience as possible. Ultimately, you will be able to manage projects with a team of scientists, and the field experience will go a long way towards guiding those projects and team members efficiently and effectively. If the graduate doesn't have a master's degree, they should probably pursue a masters in those early years. Between the experience and additional education, they can take the exam for licensure as a professional geologist, which is an important credential in the states that require or recognize licensure
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
J. Anthony Sauder PE, PG (he/him): Take what you have learned and apply it at every opportunity. Once you have demonstrated your competence and expertise, you will be sought out to assist with complex problems and projects. You should always be learning on the job and taking webinars and courses when you can. A master's degree and professional license will both significantly improve your salary potential.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
J. Anthony Sauder PE, PG (he/him): Geologists are uniquely situated to understand and address challenges due to climate change. Geologists, engineers and policy makers need to work as a team to adapt the lived environment and build community resilience to flooding, water scarcity, land subsidence, sea level rise and geologic hazards. Geologists are also trained in GIS and interpreting remote sensing to evaluate changes in land use, watershed restoration and even reviewing historic environmental justice concerns. With data analysis and these tools, they can assist with developing sustainable solutions to remediate previous harms to the environment and quality of life.
Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller
Endowed Chair for Geology of the Solid EarthMichigan State University
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller: People love a lot of things about the profession. Often, they love the outdoors and understanding the landscape and how it came to be. But we also have people who work with large remote sensing or geophysical data sets, and really love extracting information and understanding from large data sets. There is something for everyone in the geosciences.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller: A lot of our students with Bachelor's degrees end up working for environmental firms, often doing environmental assessment and cleanup. In a place with a bigger oil industry, graduates with Bachelor's degrees may be assessing rock cuttings from wells or core samples. But someone with a PhD might be doing computer models using large data sets.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller: There has been a decline in the number of geoscience students over the last decade or so, but NOT a decline in the number of geoscience jobs. In fact, in some sectors there is very much an aging workforce and not enough new graduates to replace the existing workforce.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
David Becker P.G.: I would pass along three tidbits of wisdom: 1) don't be afraid to tackle tasks that require you to expand your geologic knowledge, as you only just start learning in college; 2) become comfortable in speaking in the presence of others, as being well-spoken catches the eye of management and lets you be a leader among your peers; and 3) embrace new technology relevant to your geologic practice, and watch for new technologies developed in other geologic fields that could have applicability in your work.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Becker P.G.: Undoubtedly, the skills in applying technology are the most important, notably integration of artificial intelligence into geologic data analysis and, for some fields, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for data collection.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
David Becker P.G.: Advancement potential, obviously related to salary, can depend on your strengths. Advancement can come from the effective application of technical skills, so having and constantly developing the right geologic and technology knowledge base the employer needs and the ability to apply this cost-effectively (on time and in budget) pays dividends. Additionally, the abilities to communicate, organize, strategize, and coordinate are strengths that can lead to better-paying management positions, so taking advantage of opportunities to demonstrate these talents will also help you stand out when the chances come for promotion.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Leah Courtland: Communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to work in a team are critical. Geologists tackle real world problems so it's important to be able to consider multiple moving parts and to employ systems thinking to address challenges.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leah Courtland: Earning an MS degree can drastically increase salary potential. Changing companies can also often result in a pay increase, so don't be afraid to look around even if you've been with the same company for a number of years.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Leah Courtland: Search broadly: there are jobs out there that you don't even know exist that might be perfect for you. And if your first job isn't a great fit, keep looking. Sometimes it's not until after you've gained some entry level experience that you'll be qualified for the position you really want.
Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat: Geologic information (a.k.a., geoinformatics) is becoming increasingly important in the digital age, and defining how geologic data and information are represented is still a work in progress. A background in technology, whether this involves geographic information systems, analytical skills, and/or data management, is a great asset and can be developed in many career sectors.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat: Find a position in which your skills as a geologist will be maximized and include some learning opportunities. Have a set of career goals in mind and make sure these include opportunities to continue learning about how the Earth works. Keeping the curiosity you had as a college student is a great way to help define a career path and sustain genuine interest in your work.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat: Young professionals should understand that the demand for geologists is great and that employers are looking for a diverse set of skills, which can be difficult to represent on a resume or a typical job application. Keep a portfolio with writing samples, research or project outcomes, conference presentations, or other products that can demonstrate your experience and abilities as a professional geologist.
Jaakko Putkonen Ph.D
ProfessorUniversity of North Dakota
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Jaakko Putkonen Ph.D: It is good to start you career with a BS degree and gain hands on experience. However, those with Master's degree tend to earn the most.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jaakko Putkonen Ph.D: Field skills are always valued, but data science and AI will become more prevalent in the future.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Jaakko Putkonen Ph.D: Geology degree is valued in many fields. Many graduates spend some time in entry level jobs to gain more experience and find the job they really love. Networking is the best way to find a job, seek out the alumni of your University or Department.
Ilya Buynevich Ph.D.
Associate Professor | Undergraduate Advisor - GeologyTemple University
Computer Programming
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Ilya Buynevich Ph.D.: consider getting a degree in a solid science major - geology, rather than environmental science/studies. upon graduation, strive to get as much hands-in experience as possible by being proactive and by relying on a network of alumni from your department who were successful at securing a position that fits your interests and skills.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ilya Buynevich Ph.D.: CONSIDER GETTING A CERTIFICATE (GIS, HAZWOPER) OR A PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST LICENSE (REQUIRED IN MANY STATES) - THESE WILL HELP IN MOST GEOSCIENCE POSITIONS.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Ilya Buynevich Ph.D.: consider getting a degree in a solid science major - geology, rather than environmental science/studies. upon graduation, strive to get as much hands-in experience as possible by being proactive and by relying on a network of alumni from your department who were successful at securing a position that fits your interests and skills.
Anthony Rathburn
ProfessorCalifornia State University - Bakersfield
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Anthony Rathburn: Someone with a degree in Geology has many career pathway options, and what geology graduates do on a daily basis depends on which job they have chosen. Their work likely involves using computer technologies and perhaps field work, to assess aspects of the Earth and Earth processes. For many geoscientists, there is significant degree of variability in the tasks and problem-solving that is done on a day-to-day basis.
Typically, when people think about geology jobs, they think about searching for gold or petroleum, or studying earthquakes or volcanoes. However, there is a much wider choice of jobs for geoscientists.
A few of the many jobs available for geologists include:
Geologists who work for an environmental firm or government agency might be assessing aspects of groundwater, soils or surface water, or evaluating sites for various land uses, clean up contaminated sites, or be involved with waste management.
Geologists focusing on mining might be monitoring sites for contamination, searching for resources that can be used for energy and technology (for example, lithium for batteries), site reclamation (restoring mining sites to pre-mining conditions), or evaluating sites for prospecting or recovering underground or surface resources (such as repurposing old mine tailings).
Geologists who focus on geophysics might work for state or federal agencies to evaluate seismic data (earthquake hazards) or other subsurface properties.
Carbon dioxide storage underground is a primary means to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and geologists who focus on subsurface earth materials and fluids might work aspects of underground storage of carbon dioxide or hydrogen for the government or industry. These geoscientists might also work on the regulation of petroleum extraction and/or groundwater quality and usage.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anthony Rathburn: In relevant surveys, 'Geologist' consistently ranks very high (as high as second) of the 100 perceived best occupations, and in the top 10 for job satisfaction. This is likely due, in part, to the variety of tasks that geoscientists often do within their job. The challenges of applying knowledge and skills to solve earth science-related problems, the satisfaction of having positive impacts for communities, field work, travel potential, high pay potential, and conducting work to understand particular aspects of the natural world are also among the likely reasons for high job satisfaction for geologists.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Anthony Rathburn: Someone with a degree in Geology has many career pathway options, and what geology graduates do on a daily basis depends on which job they have chosen. Their work likely involves using computer technologies and perhaps field work, to assess aspects of the Earth and Earth processes. For many geoscientists, there is significant degree of variability in the tasks and problem-solving that is done on a day-to-day basis. Typically, when people think about geology jobs, they think about searching for gold or petroleum, or studying earthquakes or volcanoes. However, there is a much wider choice of jobs for geoscientists.
What skills stand out on Geoscientist resumes?
Dr. David Gonzales Ph.D.: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Well-developed skills in field studies, rock identification, and understanding of structural and stratigraphic systems. Not on the resume, but no negative online presence. An undergrad student needs a comprehensive traditional skill base enhanced with tools used in the modern world (GIS, digital map systems, drones).
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.
Professor and HeadOklahoma State University
Boone Pickens School of Geology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geoscientist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.: Generally speaking, I believe we will see more and more of data scientists who have the programming skills to statistically analyze large volumes of information. In Geosciences, I think we will see a similar trend. Employers of all sorts and flavors will look for enhanced efficiencies and automatization. You hear about artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, supervised or unsupervised.
I also believe there will be more and more opportunities in the field of carbon capture, utilization, and storage, a growing field with the need for expansion at a global level since many countries are signatories of the Paris Agreement. This is a tremendous near-/ mid-term opportunity for Geoscientists to work together with Engineers in taking carbon storage to the commercial deployment level.
Also, we may see more jobs in geothermal and rare-earth minerals as well as wind and solar. Oil and gas jobs will recover some after the pandemic. In the end, more than 80% of the global energy consumption comes from fossil fuels. Natural gas will still be on the upswing while petroleum will perhaps stay flat and coal still slowly decline. Oil and gas companies will start rehiring, soon. Environmental jobs will also become more dominant on the job market.
What technical skills for a Geoscientist stand out to employers?
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.: Quantitative reasoning and computational skills are becoming increasingly prevalent for employers hiring Geoscientists. With larger datasets and technological computational and technological advances, there will be an increased need for employees who are good at math, physics, and computation. In addition, communication skills, team building orientation, managerial/ business skills are necessary with increased workforce diversity and more interdisciplinary projects. Data analytics and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, employers in our discipline look for deep technical knowledge in the field of choice (geophysics, geochemistry, sed-strat, etc.) and field experience.
How have salaries changed over time for Geoscientists?
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.: I think it depends on the employers. The oil and gas companies have always paid well and they kept up with the inflation. Environmental companies pay depending on their size and portfolio. Geoscientist, by and large, are fairly well paid in comparison with other fields according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm).
Jobs in academia are pretty compressed, salaries have increased during my career, but I can't say by how much, it depends on the university. The following is a good reference:
https://www.americangeosciences.org/geoscience-currents/2019-median-annual-salaries-geoscience-related-occupations
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.
Program Coordinator and Professor of Environmental Science and GeologyTexas A&M University - Corpus Christi professor
Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geoscientists?
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.: Yes! Pandemic layoffs and an economic slowdown, coupled with an anticipated long-term global shift away from fossil fuels due to greenhouse warming and climate concerns, should guide many upcoming graduates to consider different geology career avenues than they might have originally planned. The coronavirus pandemic with its switch to online operations has rapidly revolutionized the workplace, demonstrating it is possible for employees to effectively work remotely. The coronavirus-caused economic slowdown is short-term, but geology graduates should consider the pandemic's cultural shift to more remote work, also the expected shift towards plastic production rather than energy production as a major driver of worldwide petroleum demand over the next decade, as longer-term trends which may more profoundly impact their careers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (updated 2/18/2021) projects that employment of geoscientists in all sectors will grow 5% between 2019-2029, driven by needs for energy, environmental protection, and sound land and resource management. Geologists employed by the petroleum industry have generally enjoyed the highest median salaries compared to those in government, environmental industry or academia, but the petroleum industry has also experienced boom-and-bust cyclicity. The current federal administration is promoting substantial shifts to sustainable energy sources and this same commitment is being strongly articulated by leaders of many other industrialized nations, also by automobile manufacturers, public transportation, and other major industries worldwide. In the future, manufacture of plastics will largely drive future petroleum demand. The increased impacts of plastic pollution are clear but technical solutions and alternatives are less clear. Plastic recycling is increasing but overall demand for plastic products is increasing even faster. Recent geology graduates are wise to monitor projections for worldwide petroleum demand as it impacts their long-term career growth prospects in the petroleum industry.
Recent retirements within the oil and gas industry have created job openings but at the same time many major petroleum companies (ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Southwest Energy) are also restructuring and have laid off additional personnel. Thus, recent geology graduates should not expect to land positions with petroleum companies as easily as in the past. This does not mean opportunities in petroleum exploration/production are unavailable but will be more limited and finding employment in this sector will be more challenging for new graduates.
Graduates with field, laboratory and relevant internship experience, and good networking skills, will have an advantage. But geology graduates should also comprehensively assess their skill sets and broadly explore other career areas within academia, state and federal natural resource agencies, environmental services, agriculture, mining, education, non-profits, etc. Careers for geologists are diverse and changing. While the future number of new hires in the oil and gas industry may be modest, some of these hires may become involved in new "green" technologies such as carbon-capture. There may be increased demand for geologists elsewhere to help in siting "green energy" facilities, in land-use planning to minimize losses from natural disasters, in hydrogeology, mining and land reclamation, etc.
What's a day at work look like for a Geoscientist?
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.: The pandemic has revolutionized the trend towards a full or partial telework and this will continue, driven by employer needs to work with employees in the field and at multiple work locations, also by employees seeking better work-life balance. Both companies and employees are adapting to long-term remote work. Recent graduates might expect that at least part-time telework may be an option. Telework will allow employees in the field or at distributed locations to effectively collaborate. Recent graduates should be versed in networking, use of shared drives and computer security. Many meetings may be conducted remotely and graduates will need to be comfortable with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other virtual meeting platforms. Remote collaboration on projects may be critical, involving participants at far-flung locations.
What will help Geoscientists increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.: Students should seek opportunities to engage in a variety of lab and field experiences (research experiences for undergraduates are excellent) as well as multiple summer or academic-year off-campus internships during college to build up their resumes and professional connections. They should find ways to increase and broaden their technical skills, written and verbal communication skills, and proficiency working in teams. They should be comfortable working and collaborating remotely. As the economy recovers from the pandemic undergraduates nearing graduation should strongly consider remaining in school to earn a master's degree in geology, geographic information science, environmental science, hydrogeology, engineering, computer science, business administration or other relevant discipline. In general income foregone during those two extra years of schooling will be more than offset by broader career options and better career advancement if not an outright higher entrance salary. Finally, recent graduates may find additional opportunities working internationally rather than domestically.
What skills stand out on Geoscientist resumes?
Katherine Potter: Traditionally sought-after skills include an ability to manage large data sets, use a variety of tools to collect and interpret data over spatial and temporal scales, and communicate information to a variety of audiences. Research experience is often an advantage as it builds adaptability and resilience, and trains students to manage projects and apply their knowledge in practical and sometimes innovative ways. Additionally, involvement in interdisciplinary projects shows an ability to successfully solve problems with people of different backgrounds. It's important to recognize that few people are ever a perfect fit for any job, but knowing how to leverage skills and experiences to a given job description will demonstrate that a job candidate can think creatively to solve problems.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geoscientist job market given the pandemic?
Katherine Potter: Even before the pandemic, the geosciences job market was impacted by major boom-and-bust cycles driven by global economics. The pandemic has certainly worsened the current bust, but I think what we're seeing today is a confluence of other factors as well: a growing awareness of the effects of climate change, shifting geopolitical hierarchies, and the impacts of a 'drill, baby, drill' attitude towards oil and gas extraction. While jobs in fossil fuel industries might no longer offer long-term stability, many doors are opening in critical mineral exploration, water and soil management, geothermal development, environmental remediation, carbon capture, and emerging interdisciplinary fields like geoengineering and geobiology. Geoscientists will have a crucial role in creating pathways to sustainable development and a low-carbon energy infrastructure.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geoscientist job market given the pandemic?
Chad Pritchard Ph.D.: The number of geotechnical and environmental geology jobs have remained steady, if not increased, during the pandemic. As construction and property transactions continue, people need help with environmental and geotechnical site assessments. GIS positions have also maintained, if not increased, as newer web-based software allows geoscientists to work remotely.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chad Pritchard Ph.D.: With many entry-level jobs getting cut, I would advise continuing education as opposed to a gap year. For graduating high school students that don’t want to commit to a four-year university, taking math or other science pre-requisites at a community college should help reduce the time to graduation (though check first to see if the credits will transfer to a university). However, a gap year can do a lot to help people learn more about accountability, finances, and the importance of a professional work ethic. It just seems that this year, with everything going on, finding entry-level positions will be difficult.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Chad Pritchard Ph.D.: Talk to your faculty and career services center to get you resume, CV, and cover letter polished. Keep going, and don't get too fixated on one job. Try to keep you options open. Being able to move for a job can help you find more jobs and gain experience towards becoming a professional geologist, which then creates more possibilities. If jobs in your area are slim and you cannot move, then you might consider graduate school, so that when the market rebounds, you have that much more experience and will stand out to potential employers.
Nahid Gani
Associate ProfessorWestern Kentucky University
Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geoscientists?
Nahid Gani: Geoscience job market is shifting because of the pandemic. Some, particularly oil-related jobs, are decreasing rapidly. If students graduate with an environmental-related geoscience degree, they have a better chance of getting a job in this pandemic market.
What type of skills will young Geoscientists need?
Nahid Gani: Environmental, sustainability, and climate science related skills, with lab-analytical, technical, and big data knowledge.
What experience really stands out on Geoscientist resumes?
Nahid Gani: Environmental and climate science related research and internship experience.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geoscientist job market given the pandemic?
David Boutt Ph.D.: Certain entry-level positions (say in the environmental consulting field) won't change too much as a lot of that work is in the field collecting samples, taking measurements, etc. Remote work could give people an opportunity to take on work outside of their immediate geographical area as tools and technology allow. I think there could be a shift towards sub-contracting certain environmental services.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Boutt Ph.D.: Improving your quantitative and data analysis tools. Picking up a programming language, learning how to use cloud-based datasets, and accessing geospatial data online. There are lots of good web-based resources for learning python and R. If you are fortunate to have someone you know that is proficient in a particular language, reach out to them for some example codes and scripts. I find decoding scripts that work is really helpful in learning a language and new tricks/tips.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
David Boutt Ph.D.: Be flexible. Don't try to land the dream job, get some experience, make connections, and new opportunities will come with that. Ask lots of questions at the new job and approach the opportunity with a good attitude while keeping an eye on moving up and learning more.
Jesse Kelsch
Instructor of GeologySul Ross State University
Department of Biology, Geology, and Physical Science
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geoscientist job market given the pandemic?
Jesse Kelsch: What we saw in 2020 was the temporary elimination of most summer internships for geoscience majors, which is so unfortunate because those internships almost always provide not just unique and valuable experiences but also a "foot in the door" for employment. Now with the widespread vaccine rollout, if it ever gets underway, we’ll likely see their return in Summer 2021. I imagine that a 2020 graduate who missed their internship opportunity while still a student could still apply for summer 2021 internships even though they’ve graduated, under some kind of "pandemic" clause.
What Geoscientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jesse Kelsch: That greatly depends on what the graduate hopes to do. For example, I know that hydrogeology consulting companies want their employees to have well-rounded knowledge, so they must be able to construct a geologic cross-section even though they’re working in water. Going into the environmental field, people will need to work with spreadsheets and tabular data. And in all sectors, WRITING WELL is a critical skill. A gap-year graduate could continue to read and write for their own practice, perhaps especially about science articles related to the field of their interest.
What general advice would you give to a Geoscientist?
Jesse Kelsch: Know your long-term purpose – not just your economic hopes and dreams but the kind of work that will satisfy you, keep you interested, and make you proud of your contribution to society. Be open to different job openings in different fields and sectors though and recognize not just that your goals may change, but also that different types of work could fulfill that purpose through your career.
Dr. Kraig Derstler
Associate ProfessorUniversity of New Orleans
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geoscientists?
Dr. Kraig Derstler: Yes. Two effects are unavoidable. One is the quality of education that students receive during the pandemic. Instructors had to instantly throw something together midway the Spring 2020 semester, replacing carefully crafted courses with ad hoc, remotely taught jumbles. To some degree, Zoom saved our collective butts. Otherwise we would have had to simply cancel courses and return tuition.
Since then, most higher ed institutions had tried to do a little better, but frankly, we are not set up for remote teaching and the results are watered down: no hands-on labs, no lab demonstrations with study materials at hand, no field trips, no study groups, no meaningful group projects, no face-to-face instruction where the instructor can instantly recognize and respond to a student's puzzled face. And there are the inevitable tech issues with online textbooks and online lectures that drink up contact minutes and hours. Personally, if I was a student, I would rearrange my academic plans, sit out the COVID-19 semesters, and do something more productive for the duration.
What type of skills will young Geoscientists need?
Dr. Kraig Derstler: Fewer and fewer geologists are finding professional rock/fossil/stratigraphy jobs. Meanwhile, environmental positions are expanding. In both areas, employers are asking that graduates seeking technical positions have a solid background in basic science and math (physics beyond Newtonian mechanics, chemistry, biology, calculus, basic computer skills and familiarity with Adobe and MS packages, plus GIS software). For professionals, they want the same, plus improved skills in oral and written communication, basic business background, and leadership skills.
What experience really stands out on Geoscientist resumes?
Dr. Kraig Derstler: That's easy - anything that demonstrates a well-developed work ethic, the ability to work in a team, and persistence in completing tasks. Within this framework, the sky is the limit so far as I can tell.
Michael E. Oskin Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairCalifornia Institute of Technology
Department of Geology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geoscientists?
Michael E. Oskin Ph.D.: Yes. The economic shift of the pandemic has affected job sectors that employ geoscientists. Some, such as oil, are seeing a dip on top of a long-term decline. Others, like geological engineering, are seeing an uptick with construction taking advantage of the window of people sheltering away from work sites and schools. Longer term, it will depend on the economy, but I think this pattern will hold. More jobs in consulting and environmental work, less in oil and mineral exploration.
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chair, Earth and Environmental ScienceTemple University
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
What type of skills will young Geoscientists need?
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.: Core themes:
- Geographic and data science skills
- Solid science-based education, including experimental design and project execution, including documenting its implementation and outcomes
- Effective scientific writing and data presentation
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Geoscientists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.: There are earth science problems that need to be addressed in every part of the United States and the world. The American Geosciences Institute estimates the rate of jobs added to the economy for graduates, in most of the earth science sectors, outstrips the number of graduating university students. These issues become more pressing as the population grows, and resource demand and land-use intensity increase.
Therefore, I would demur from saying there are "good places" for work opportunities. However, it is fair to say that some sectors are more strongly developed in different geographic regions. Water resource management is more of an issue in the west, but quality management is an issue everywhere. Natural hazards occur everywhere, but the type of risk varies by region and from the coasts to the interior. The petroleum industry is centered in Texas and has a strong presence in California, the west, and the south. Among the alternatives, solar, wind, and geothermal heating have diverse applications throughout the United States, although geothermal energy for electricity is mostly developed in the west. Other natural resources, again, vary by region by geology; economic geology is more active in the country's western half.
How do you envision technology impacting Geoscientists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.: The availability of cheap sensors and drone-based systems, the publication of data gathered by large satellite or long-term monitoring systems from government and private agencies to the web, and the mandate to publish federally funded data sets produce a rich set of digital resources. These are complemented by advances in data processing techniques implemented in both free and commercial software. The abundance of data, cloud-based processing power, and advanced computing have several significant impacts:
-There is an exact role of data science in future earth science careers that leverages these new resources.
-The software and web tools coming to market should make advanced data analysis accessible to workers for applications to their problems.
-There will continue to be a need for people with a background in earth systems and scientific training to combine these data and tools to answer questions.
-There will always be a need for people to go to the field to make new site-specific measurements.
-We are in a better place to develop and sustainably manage resources than ever before.
Students should seek critical data management, geographic information, and data science skills as part of their degree. This does not mean they need to be experts in data science first (although that is an option), but that they should be familiar with fundamental concepts to employ them in their work effectively. The goal is to be ready to apply these tools to study earth systems and processes better.