 Most geoscientists work in the petroleum industry, mining industry,
environmental firms, and in government agencies. Historically the
petroleum industry employs the largest number of geoscientists and
currently nearly 40% of geoscientists are employed in the exploration and
production of oil and gas.
 The environmental industry now employs nearly
20% of geoscientists, many working in consulting firms. Mining was once a
dominant geoscience employer, but today only about 10% of geoscientists
work in private industry related to mining. Government agencies employ
another 10% of geoscientists, including most oceanographers and
atmospheric scientists.
 Geoscientists
employed in the government work in many different capacities, from
pure research to policy development. Only about 5% of geoscientists work
as educators. This important group of geoscientists is crucial to the
development of future geoscientists.
Like many sciences and engineering, the geosciences have seen an increase
in the diversity of the workforce. Today nearly 20% of geoscientists are
female and females are beginning to be seen in the upper levels of
management. The age distribution of the geosciences is strongly dependent
on the industry examined. For instance, the petroleum industry has a large
number of geoscientists approaching retirement, as well as a number in the
30-40 year old
range.
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Geosciences Resources |
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Online |
Downloads |
Profiles of
Geoscientists:
Video and PDF Profiles |
PDF on each profile
page |
Overview:
Overview of the Geosciences |
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Preparation:
Top 10 Degree Fields, Top 10 Concentrations, Business and
Economics, Field Work, Analytical Thinking |
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Industries:
Descriptions of the five main career areas in Geology |
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Day in the Life:
Teams and Coworkers, Corporate Cultures, Career Self-management,
Selling Yourself, Gender, Diversity |
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Earnings:
Salaries and salary data |
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Employment:
Statistics, Locations, Employers |
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Career Path
Forecast:
Future of the Geosciences, Job Outlook |
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Professional Organizations:
Resources, Networking, Support |
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Careers for
Geoscientists Video:
42
minutes, introduces the breadth of scope of the
geosciences: atmosphere, oceans, and the solid-Earth |
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Podcast:
Overview of Geosciences |
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Internet Resources:
 American
Association of Petroleum Geologists
American Geological Institute
AGI
Geoscience Currents
Association
for Women Geoscientists
Digital
Library for Earth System Education
Earth
Science Week
Earth
Science World
Geological
Association of Canada |
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Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
the
American Geological Institute and the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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