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Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton
Hundreds of people currently work in geo-sciences in Alberta.
Hundreds more will follow that route whether entering the workforce
in the oil and gas, mining, reclamation, teaching, government or
research positions. While the main goal of the jobs may differ, all
share this one key element: education is a must.
While there are some two-year diploma programs that can land
people in this industry -- geological technician, lab technician --
most of the positions call for a minimum of a bachelor degree. In
many cases as master's or additional post-secondary schooling will be
required. This requirement is due, in part, to the growing importance
of environmental protection which must be based on scientific
evidence. This education will also ensure scientists-to-be have an
understanding of how all things in the natural world are connected,
and in this case, how the study of rock and the earth's crust relates
to water, or plants, or animals or the atmosphere.
Another similarity in the work is the daily use of computers and
electronic technology. Whether it's typing a report or examining maps
created by global positioning equipment, hi tech gear will always be
there. And for those who like to travel that option also comes with
the work. Overall, most of the geo-science positions have a good
employment outlook, according to provincial government and industry
sources.
In this issue nextSteps.org catches up with a soil scientist who's helping clean up an oil well site and make it look like the surrounding grasslands, along with a government research scientist who churns out raw geological information for government policy makers and industry. We also speak to a mining exploration geologist who helps companies understand where to develop a mine and to a man who uses microscopes to interpret the stories rocks tell. As always, the Hot Tip provides some helpful advice for those looking to understanding this industry more, while the Jump Start gives many ideas where one might go for more industry-specific information.
Here's a brief summary of some of the jobs available in this
industry with links to more information from the Occinfo career
database:
Geologists are also called geomorphologists;
mineralogist; sedimentologists; stratigraphers; volcanologists and
others depending on their area of specialization. Essentially
geologists study the makeup of the earth for various reasons,
including to extract oil, gas or minerals. A minimum of a bachelor
degree is required.
Pay will range from $30,000 to over $180,000 per year.
Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Geophysicists use math and physics along with
their knowledge of geology to help, among other things, search for
oil and gas. A minimum of bachelor degree is required.
Pay will range from $30,000 to over $180,000 per year.
Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Geology technologists work in support of geologists
or on their own using geological data and equipment. A post-secondary
diploma is required.
Pay will range from $15,000 to $120,000 per year.
Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Geophysical technologists work in support of
geophysicists or on their own using geophysical data and equipment. A
post-secondary diploma is required.
Pay will range from $15,000 to $120,000 per year.
Above average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Environmental engineers design equipment or
processes that may be used for things such as ensuring clean waste
discharge or helping return soil to its natural state. A minimum of a
bachelor degree is required.
Pay will range from $25,000 to $145,000 per year.
Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Soil scientists study the makeup of soil and how
human activities influence soil. A minimum of a bachelor degree is
required.
Pay will range from $32,000 to $80,000 per year.
Below average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Other geo-science positions with many different job titles are
also out there. Many, however, are geologists (see the geologist link
above) with a specialized area of study. Here's a partial list of
these titles and a link to a geo-science career brochure: economic geologist;
engineering geologist; geochemist; geochronologist; geomorphologist;
glacial geologist; mineralogist; petrographer; sedimentologist;
seismologist; stratigrapher; structural geologist; and
volcanologist.
Related careers from previous issues of nextSteps magazine include:
Geomatics specialists
Geographer
Land Surveyor
Stereoplotter operator
Seismic crew worker
Lab technician
Land agent (landman)
Geophysicist
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