5 Tips to Make a Successful Career in Geology
It’s a misconception that geology is not merely the study of rocks. To have a career in geology one also study the substance and physical structure of the Earth and how this has changed at a specific time period. This could help to provide insight into the history of all the way back to the formation of our solar system. Studying the structure of Earth also helps to upon several career paths. Geologists have also been involved in various activities within the public and private sectors. This also includes evaluating water sources, mapping reserves and remediating environmental issues of natural resources for commercial excavation. In this article, we will provide you 5 Tips to make a successful career in geology.
Get a degree in geology
To get into a career in geology, you may need to get a degree from one of the recognized universities that specialize in earth sciences and geology. You should also look into how the geology program works at the prospective university. Moreover, you can also determine whether or not you are willing to do general science for a specific portion of your undergraduate studies or if you may prefer to get straight to the absolute core of the specific subject matter. There are specific geology courses that also have a mandatory field-trip element. This allows students to move abroad for excavations and projects.
Be curious
One of the most important prerequisites of becoming a geologist is to have a curious mind. This fieldwork would not only expose you to an aspiring geologist to the elements – sometimes creating uncomfortable and even risky conditions. But it would often bring them to far-flung places. Those who are interested in a career as a geologist must also be comfortable with spending their time outdoors and also willing to travel for work. Also, aspiring professionals that are highly interested for pursuing a career in geology must also be content interpreting disparate datasets and also acquire skills of observation.
Select a specialized area in geology
It could be very difficult to make a career straight from the undergraduate level in geology. As a result, you may also need to complete a master’s degree. Selecting a master’s course is also the best time to specialize. This would also determine the type of career you end up having. If you are also interested for going into the petroleum industry, you may want to look into a petroleum-focused career. The bigger oil organizations would always require a master’s. However, some small organizations could also become flexible on this front. If you’re also interested from the environmental aspect, a master’s in environmental geology could be highly beneficial for you. This area is also broad. As a result, the qualification could also lead you to anything from making a career in a government agency to advising private companies on compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
Determine what kind of career you want
Geology could provide several opportunities. However, that doesn’t mean all of the opportunities would perfectly suit your needs. The salary range in the area of geology is very wide. While working within the public sector could well have moderate salaries depending mainly on your position, private oil companies could also make more lucrative offers. However, most of these oil companies would often provide employment on a contract basis. This could also be off-putting to those that may also like to settle into a position quickly, it could also work extremely well for those that crave variety. Public sector jobs are highly stable and also provide benefits.
Do an internship
Most of the geology based qualifications will require hands-on experience. However, putting yourself forward for having additional internships could also improve your CV and provide you a massive advantage when you have to apply for jobs. Working within a geological survey or even a small mineral exploration company could be a good way to start practice and also enhance the different skills learned in university.
