Geoscientists
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
- Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites.
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
- Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
- Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
- Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
- Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
- Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
- Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
- Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.
- Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.
- Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.
- Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
- Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
- Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.
- Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.
- Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
- Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
- Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
- Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
- Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
- Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
- Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
- Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.
- Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.
- Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
96%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
88%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
85%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
81%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
78%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
78%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
75%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
74%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
69%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
69%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
64%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
61%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
60%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
59%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
57%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
56%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
51%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
51%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
50%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
49%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
49%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
48%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
48%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
48%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
42%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
39%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
39%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
37%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
35%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
35%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
35%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
35%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
35%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
35%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
31%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
31%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
28%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
28%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
27%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
27%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
25%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
21%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
19%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
18%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
17%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
17%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
16%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
15%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
13%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
13%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
12%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
11%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
11%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
11%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
9%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
7%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
4%
Education
Master's degree
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral degree
Interests
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Work Styles
Work Values
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