Geologists are in charge of studying the earth’s processes and natural formations to promote environmental conservation. Their job duties include collecting mineral samples, creating maps of geographical features and testing rock formations to determine if construction can occur in that area.
Below is a comprehensive guide that will assure a conventional output of your skills and interests in your resume to help you get the job!
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Job Duties of a Geologist
A geologist’s job requires intense fieldwork. Plus, it requires a creative approach to solving problems. There are several other indispensable duties which geologists need to undertake as part of their routine tasks. Some are:
Analyzing the earth’s characteristics, such as its composition.
Conducting environmental studies and preparing environmental reports.
Preparing and presenting findings to audiences such as meteorological departments, laboratories and classrooms.
Testing mineral deposits and capturing geological results through techniques such as 3D mapping and drilling technologies.
Developing geological maps.
Traveling to local, regional, national and international locations for research.
Planning and supervising entire field studies.
Staying updated with safety needs and participating in safety training courses.
Geologist Median Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, geologists or geoscientists earn a median salary of $93,580 annually.
Top Skills for a Geologist
A geologist works on assessment and restoration projects for government and private-sector clients. They primarily work in an office, with 25% to 50% of their time spent in the field. The primary duties of most geologist roles include: conducting environmental site assessments, writing work plans and reports, sampling ecological media such as soil, groundwater and soil vapor, analyzing laboratory data, overseeing contractors and reviewing reports or other technical documents. As such, here are the essential skills you’ll need to excel as a geologist:
- Expertise in geological research methods: Geologists apply basic scientific principles, theories, practices and existing technologies to develop hypotheses. You must demonstrate familiarity with field methods such as environmental drilling, soil and groundwater sampling and Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. As a geologist, you must outline required investigative programs by selecting the proper techniques to conduct site studies in your field of expertise. According to applicable sampling protocols, this includes collecting environmental samples like soil, groundwater, soil gas, indoor air, surface water and sediments.
- Strict adherence to health and safety procedures: Geologists must be safety-focused and have a working knowledge of federal and state regulations applicable to site investigation and remediation projects. They must follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. They must also have a track record of upholding workplace safety and abiding by health and safety policies. You may have to report any safety issues or concerns to management and prepare site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
- Comfortable with fieldwork: Sites vary by industry but could include environmental media such as soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water and others that have been impacted with hazardous substances or wastes. Thus, depending on the role, you must be interested in working in potentially dangerous environments in all weather conditions and for extended periods. Some tasks may include performing site visits, collecting field data or assignments, and evaluating environmental data.
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills: As a geologist, you must work with project teams, clients and other stakeholders. Some mid-level roles require you to coordinate and lead field teams. However, in general, most functions expect you to oversee drilling and monitor installations. You can also expect to provide oversight and direction to contractors while conducting site investigations and remediation and coordinate field activities and schedules with property operators in a clear, professional manner. In more senior roles, you may have to visit drill sites to monitor progress, inspect the environment and safety compliance. You may also have to direct staff to sample, test and collect data and document site activities.
- Data analysis and interpretation: A geologist’s role is to collect data from sampling, reports, maps, drawings, tests and aerial photographs, analyze it using technical principles and theories and interpret the results. In entry-level roles, you may be required to assist in studying, evaluating, and interpreting data obtained during investigations. However, you should expect to have more responsibilities in mid-level to senior positions. These responsibilities may include comparing findings to relevant studies and local, state and federal regulations to ensure compliance. You can also expect to balance your fieldwork with time spent in the office providing support for advanced data analysis and interpretation.
- Documentation and reporting: Accurately documenting field activities by preparing field notes, logs, chain of custody, taking photographs and collecting measurements and GPS coordinates require technical solid writing skills. Having clear and concise verbal and written communication skills is necessary. It’s also essential to demonstrate excellent attention to detail and quality control by confirming field data collection is complete and accurate. You’ll be responsible for preparing technical reports for clients and regulatory agencies. More specifically, you’ll prepare geologic cross-sections, potentiometric groundwater contour maps, concentration maps and other data visualization or interpretation tasks.
- Efficient equipment handling: Geologists tend to spend more time in the lab than out in the field because they need to observe, research and experiment with all the samples and data collected. Geologists must develop craft skills to clean, operate and maintain lab equipment like microscopes, knives, stereographic nets, lettering sets, chisels, sample containers and chemical solutions.
- Basic computer and software skills: Data gathering, environment awareness and geology structure modeling are core components of the job, which requires software knowledge like Geozilla and GeoTriple. Also, software like GeoBank helps in the study of sediments. Moreover, the software supports analyzing soil, rock and fossil samples for accurate results and records.
Geologist Education and Certifications
Degree
The minimum requirement for a position as a geologist is a bachelor's degree in majors such as geology, environmental science, geological engineering, hydrogeology or related fields. However, some employers prefer candidates who’ve obtained a master’s degree in areas like geosciences (geology or hydrogeology), geophysics or another related major. For mid-level to senior roles especially, a master’s degree can often be the minimum requirement. You may even find that some high-level functions require a doctorate or a combination of education and experience as defined by each process. If you’re looking to get your undergraduate or graduate education, here’s a few schools to get you started on your educational journey:- Stanford University offers undergraduate degrees in geophysics and geological sciences.
- Princeton University has a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and geosciences.
- For graduate studies, NYU has an M.S. in environmental engineering and environmental science that you can also consider. Also, the University of Akron has both graduate and undergraduate programs in their Department of Geosciences, for which the university offers grants and scholarships.
- Some of the top-rated universities offering geology degrees in the USA are Stanford University, University of Texas, California Institute of Technology, University of Arizona and University of Michigan.
Entry-level roles require from none to at least one to three years of environmentally focused education or experience applying field methods in hydrologic, geologic or remedial processes. Mid-level jobs require four to five or more years of experience. Since you’ll be working out on the field part of the time, some roles may also ask for a valid driver’s license.Certification
Some states require a license or registration to work as a geologist, which is usually coupled with a certification or two. Following is a preliminary list of some certifications and training you should consider as you begin to work as a geologist:- Universities and colleges: Many universities offer continuing education studies to professional, undergraduate or graduate certificates. The University of Florida is an excellent example of a higher education institution offering a Geological Sciences certification. The University of Illinois and the University of Kansas both offer a graduate certificate in environmental geology. Meanwhile, the University of Houston has a diploma in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Hydrogeology. There are also other areas of study you can consider to enhance your skills and expertise. Berkeley Extension, for example, offers a boot camp in Data Analytics.
- Online educational companies: In our digital age, we have access to a wide variety of online courses, specializations and certifications offered by academic companies in collaboration with higher education institutions and organizations. A good example is edX which has a course in Geology and Engineering Geology and Geoscience: the Earth and its Resources. Coursera also offers lessons and specializations tailored to professionals like geologists, including a selection of environmental courses.
- Organizations and associations: The National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) offers the Fundamentals of Geology Examination (FG), which is required to get licensed or registered as a geologist in all 31 states that need geologists to be licensed. There’s also the American Geoscience Institute which offers the Geologist-In-Training (GIT) certification. The GIT certifies that you’ve passed the ASBOG ® FG examination required for the licensure and registration process. Since requirements for licensure vary by state, you have to verify the specific requirements in your state.
Other organizations offering valid certifications are The National Safety Council and the American Red Cross, which provide First Aid, CPR and AED training. To better understand how to comply with the transportation of hazardous materials, you can also consider taking the Department of Transportation (DOT) outreach and training program offered by the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Organizations like OSHAcademy offer the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training program that many employers look for in candidates prior to hire. If you already have the 40-hour HAZWOPER training, then you‘ll need to take the eight-hour refresher training annually.
You can also consider taking IADC’s RigPass™ drilling safety orientation accreditation program. The National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP)® is another great selection of six certifications for environmental professionals. The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) offers a certificate that can also prove your soil science and soil classification skills. You can also take courses from the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), which are beneficial to develop the skills you’ll need for the role. - Internships and fellowships: To gain hands-on experience in the field, you may want to consider applying for internships and fellowships. For example, the American Geoscience Institute (AGI) has a Geoscience Policy Internship for undergraduate and graduate students and the William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellowship for doctoral students. They also offer a list of other available fellowships provided by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), The Geological Society of America, The Soil Science Society of America and the American Meteorological Society. There are also internships offered by the University of Maryland, Arizona State University, GeoCorps™ America and the California Institute of Technology in collaboration with NASA. A few other fellows you can consider are the Geology Summer Fellows Program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Earth and Environmental Sciences (SURFEES). There are many more internships, fellowships and research programs out there, so make sure to check with your institution for any opportunities they offer.
Geologist Resume-Writing Tips
Writing an awesome resume can be challenging because employers read a resume in a matter of seven seconds. But don’t worry. We're going to help you figure out how you can capture the best version of your resume.
- Relevant experience and exposure Make sure that the jobs, experience and accolades that you include are relevant. Your experience showcases your proficiency in accurately studying earthly elements. Highlight your projects and internships, especially if you are a new geologist. For example, your exposure to the study of stratified rock is essential to get a stratigrapher’s job.
- The right skills Every employer wants to hire a candidate with a suitable skill set. Be sure to list skills like sediment characterization, explorations execution, mastery of GIS database, sedimentology, geological modeling, critical thinking, planning and problem resolution to get the attention of the employer quickly.
- Stand out from the herd! There are hundreds of job seekers applying for the same job and to gain the interest of recruiters and hiring managers, you need to stand out. Be crisp and pinpoint your uniqueness to tempt the recruiters to get in touch with you by being accurate and quick. Make sure to use bullet points and make the resume as simple to read as possible.
FAQ
Do geologists use a lot of math?
While comparing with the other engineering professions, math in geology is more of an optional subject. The geology field requires the basic knowledge of math, which should be equivalent to higher secondary schooling for basic mathematical calculation.
What are some of the specializations within geology?
As a geologist, you can specialize to become any of the following:
- Petrologist
- Planetary geologist
- Sedimentologist
- Economic geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hydrogeologist
- Engineering geologist
- Geochemist
- Environmental geologist
- Marine geologist
- Paleontologist
- Seismologist
- Structural geologist
- Volcanologist
- Mineralogist
- Oceanographer