Earth and Environmental science jobs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around career opportunities in Earth and Environmental science, particularly focusing on geology and related fields. Participants explore educational pathways, job prospects, and salary expectations for geoscientists and environmental engineers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in pursuing geology at university and seeks information on potential job opportunities post-graduation.
  • Another participant notes that employment for geoscientists and hydrologists is expected to grow, particularly for those with a master's degree, while Ph.D. holders may face competition for certain positions.
  • A participant inquires about the requirements for a Ph.D. in geoscience and the average salary for geologists.
  • It is suggested that entry-level geologists tend to be well-paid, but salaries can vary significantly depending on the specific field, such as environmental consulting or extractive industries.
  • One participant recommends considering Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering, highlighting the collaborative nature of geologists and civil engineers in addressing environmental impacts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the positive job outlook for geoscientists, but there are varying opinions on salary expectations and the best educational paths, indicating multiple competing views on career trajectories.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the importance of networking and seeking advice from professionals in the field, but there are no specific details on the assumptions or limitations of the job market discussed.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for high school students considering a career in Earth and Environmental science, university students exploring advanced degrees, and individuals interested in the job market for geoscientists and environmental engineers.

warwick$$
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I am 15 years old and are taking Earth and Environmental science as an elective in school. I was hoping to study in advanced science at university and major in geology.What jobs would be available to me after university.
 
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I'm not sure where you are. Here in the US, it looks like a good choice:

Employment of geoscientists and hydrologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Graduates with a master's degree in geoscience can expect excellent job opportunities, but Ph.D.s may face competition for research and college teaching jobs.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos312.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That helps a lot thanks.

I was wondering what a phd would involve in geoscience, and just out of interest how much would the average geologist earn per year.
 
Geologists seem to be amongst the highest paid entry-level scientists, from what I've seen - but it depends on what field you are interested in. Although I'm not a geologist from what I've seen it seems like geologists are either found within environmental consulting firms (less money at first), USGS or other public agency, or the mining/oil fields. I would imaging extractive industries pay the highest but USGS seems to pay pretty well also. I would look into some of the salary surveys out there on the web and discuss the matter with some of your professors or individuals within fields you are interested in. I know it sounds intimidating to cold call a professional for advice but people understand how hard the job market is now and are generally happy to help out someone getting into their field.

Good Luck,

Ian

www.nassellajobs.com[/URL]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Another route to consider is Civil Engineering. With an Environmental Engineering speciality (or one of several others) you could research/plan/assist with how man-made structures are affected by (and affect) the environment for things like water drainage, sustainability, sub-base stability/composition, etc.

(I also know several Geologists that work side by side with CEs, doing the same work)
 

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