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.

  • 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.
  • Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
  • 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.
  • Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
  • 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.
  • Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
  • Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
  • Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
  • 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.
  • Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
  • Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
  • Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
  • 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.
  • Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
  • 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.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 88% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 60% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 44% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Telephone — 44% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 50% responded "Some freedom".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 47% responded "Very important".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 50% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Analyze geological or geographical data.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Prepare maps.
  • Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.
  • Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
  • Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
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Knowledge

Geography
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Science
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Category Flexibility
  • The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • MineSight Hot Technology
  • Schlumberger Inside Reality Hot Technology
  • Evolution Computing FastCAD Hot Technology
  • Evolution Computing EasyCAD Hot Technology
  • PowerCAD Hot Technology
  • Midland Valley 3DMove Hot Technology
  • Paradigm SKUA-GOCAD Hot Technology
  • Upperspace ModelCAD Hot Technology
  • Atoll GeoCAD Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Trimble Terramodel Hot Technology
  • Upperspace DesignCAD Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • MySQL Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Scientific Software Group ChemPoint/ChemStat
  • RockWare Stratbugs
  • EarthSoft EQuIS Geology
  • GeoPLUS Petra
  • MJ Systems Logsleuth
  • Geosoft DAP server
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
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