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Thomas
Student
Port Jervis, New York
3
Questions
Asked
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I will be taking a Fieldcraft / Outdoor Proficiency class as part of my major (Geology). Should I still participate in a Geology Field Camp?
I plan to have a career in geoscience. I want to be prepared for my future career. I also wonder if a Field Camp experience is especially important to employers. #geology #geoscientist #environmental-geology #geoscience #geologist
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1 answer
Marina Castro
Environmental Engineer at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
16
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marina’s Answer
Hi Thomas,
I gathered some information from a senior geologist in my agency, which I think would be useful for you. Please see below:
Lots of skills to be a geologist and over 150,000 geologic jobs opening up in next 10 years (Stony Brook reported that.)
Definitely learn minerals and rock formations. That’s sort of basic. It helps to have good intuition, be observant, and enjoy being outdoors.
Skills:
Define research problems
Design computer simulations
Design equipment
Develop research models
Develop/write research proposals
Draw meaningful conclusions
Establish hypothesis
Establish/control designs
Evaluate ideas
Field sampling
Gather/analyze data
Identify materials/ specimens
Inform, explain, instruct
Maintain records
Mathematical modeling
Measure distances/ sizes/relationships
Observe data & things
Perform calculations
Prepare technical reports
Review scientific literature
See relationships among factors
Summarize research findings
Use technical instruments
Utilize math formulas
Here’s a good link :
https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geology-Career-Pathways/University/During-your-degree/Useful-Skills-During-your-Degree
Geology Career Pathways University During your degree: What to expect Other Useful skills:
**Effective written communication--
You must be able to convey your ideas and your reasoning effectively but concisely to reach robust conclusions. This means your work must be interesting, logical and easy to read.
Assignments and dissertations throughout a degree are the best practice. An excellent way to demonstrate this skill is to get some work published, typically towards the end of a degree.
**Effective oral communication--
Being able to present or lecture to an audience is one of the most important skills you can acquire during a degree. There will be assignments in which you present to your lecturers and peers.
It is imperative to learn to engage with your audience so they are interested in what you are talking about.
**Technical and IT skills--
All professions nowadays require basic IT skills, such as word processing, database analysis and data management. These are rarely a problem for those who have completed an undergraduate degree. However, gaining other IT skills in geographical information systems, drawing and modelling software is becoming increasingly important.
All professional geologists will use specialist software, regardless of the sector they work in, and having a basic understanding of the functionality of some of these is highly desirable to employers.
Many specialist software (modelling) packages permit 3-D and 4-D visualisation of geological features and processes. Understanding how these relate to the real world and their limitations is very important.
Computer generated 3D model of an ore depositComputer generated 3D model of an ore deposit
**Field skills**
Fieldwork you have undertaken is always of interest to employers in geological industries. It is more directly useful for some sectors than others, but doing well in fieldwork demonstrates that you can complete large amounts of work in sometimes challenging environments and conditions.
Additionally, it shows you can use field equipment and that you have seen a variety of different geological features.
I gathered some information from a senior geologist in my agency, which I think would be useful for you. Please see below:
Lots of skills to be a geologist and over 150,000 geologic jobs opening up in next 10 years (Stony Brook reported that.)
Definitely learn minerals and rock formations. That’s sort of basic. It helps to have good intuition, be observant, and enjoy being outdoors.
Skills:
Define research problems
Design computer simulations
Design equipment
Develop research models
Develop/write research proposals
Draw meaningful conclusions
Establish hypothesis
Establish/control designs
Evaluate ideas
Field sampling
Gather/analyze data
Identify materials/ specimens
Inform, explain, instruct
Maintain records
Mathematical modeling
Measure distances/ sizes/relationships
Observe data & things
Perform calculations
Prepare technical reports
Review scientific literature
See relationships among factors
Summarize research findings
Use technical instruments
Utilize math formulas
Here’s a good link :
https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geology-Career-Pathways/University/During-your-degree/Useful-Skills-During-your-Degree
Geology Career Pathways University During your degree: What to expect Other Useful skills:
**Effective written communication--
You must be able to convey your ideas and your reasoning effectively but concisely to reach robust conclusions. This means your work must be interesting, logical and easy to read.
Assignments and dissertations throughout a degree are the best practice. An excellent way to demonstrate this skill is to get some work published, typically towards the end of a degree.
**Effective oral communication--
Being able to present or lecture to an audience is one of the most important skills you can acquire during a degree. There will be assignments in which you present to your lecturers and peers.
It is imperative to learn to engage with your audience so they are interested in what you are talking about.
**Technical and IT skills--
All professions nowadays require basic IT skills, such as word processing, database analysis and data management. These are rarely a problem for those who have completed an undergraduate degree. However, gaining other IT skills in geographical information systems, drawing and modelling software is becoming increasingly important.
All professional geologists will use specialist software, regardless of the sector they work in, and having a basic understanding of the functionality of some of these is highly desirable to employers.
Many specialist software (modelling) packages permit 3-D and 4-D visualisation of geological features and processes. Understanding how these relate to the real world and their limitations is very important.
Computer generated 3D model of an ore depositComputer generated 3D model of an ore deposit
**Field skills**
Fieldwork you have undertaken is always of interest to employers in geological industries. It is more directly useful for some sectors than others, but doing well in fieldwork demonstrates that you can complete large amounts of work in sometimes challenging environments and conditions.
Additionally, it shows you can use field equipment and that you have seen a variety of different geological features.
Thank you so much. This is extremely helpful.
Thomas
You're very welcome. Best of luck to you!
Marina Castro