Why geology?

Question

I would really like to study geology and earth sciences when I go to university, but I'm not sure why I should go into this science. I know alot about the earth and I care for geology alot, but I don't know if it would be a good career for me, basically because I don't know what the carrer would involve. Can anyone tell me what it involves at what skills you should have to go into this field?

Answer 1

Going into geology is one of my greatest decisions. Here are a couple of good reasons you should too:

1. Geology is the most broad, applicable, and diverse science. So if you like science, but you are not sure which one, then geolgy is for you. Geology students regularly use biology, physics, chemistry, math, and statistics for real-life applications.

2. The outdoors and field trips! Via my B.S., M.S. and other geology studies, I've seen most of the western U.S. (CA, NV, OR, WA, MT, ID, UT, CO, AZ), climbed on and into Mt. St. Helens, had basically free trips to Mexico, Italy, and Mongolia (twice), and met some great people, including my fiancé.

3. Jobs. Geologists are in high demand at the moment. Oil, mining, environmental, and geotechnical jobs are open all over the country, with competative salieries. I had a few friends get $90,000 offers for a starting salery at oil companies. But, if you are not into oil, you can clean up the environment, too. Environmental firms clean up groundwater and other pollution sources, and I have at least a dozen friends that happily work in this field.

4. Personal. In college, mostly you are a number in the machine. In geology departments, not only do you camp with your profs, but you get to know everyone because the classes are so small. My biggest class I ever had in geology was 25 people, and I had several under 10 people.

5. Helping others. Geology studies many of the natural disasters that cause death and distruction. You could actually save lives in geology.

Take lots of science and math classes, because you need backround knowledge in all of it. English classes help to, because you do need to write in geology too.

Answer 2

http://www.stthomas.edu/academiccounseling/major_geol.htm

Geology

Geologists study the earth, not as a static lump of rock, but as a dynamic, changing system with a long, deep, and rich history. The science of geology focuses on the processes that have sculpted and continue to shape the planet and its life. The Department of Geology seeks to provide a solid foundation in the earth sciences for its majors, preparing them for a variety of career paths.

Career Opportunities
See the Geology Department's website for more information on each of these career opportunities

Environmental Education Environmental Consultant
Mining Environmental Law
Geophysics Field Study
Geological Engineering Medical School
Research Public Policy
Volcanology Geochemistry
Palentology Petrology


Transferable Skills

Technical and Quantitative Skills Field Skills
Basic graph reading and interpretation of data
Estimating
Measuring
Determining rates
Applying the equation of a line; linear modeling
Exponentiation, Logarithms and logarithmic models/geochronology
Curve-fitting
Basic statistics: mean, median, standard deviation, percentiles; probability
Algebraic manipulation of equations
Trigonometry
Calculus
Linear algebra
Numerical analysis
Differential equations
Spreadsheet use
GIS-use and operation
FIS-design, modeling, management
Computer programming
Environmental modeling
Presentation and technical graphics
Remote sensing
Hydrological modeling
Spatial analysis
Rock identification
Mapping: locating on topo maps, recognizing stratigraphy and structures, data representation on map
Use of Brunton compass
Leveling and basic survey techniques



Non-technical Skills
Written and oral communication
Analytical skills
Spatial thinking/3D
Problem solving ability
Logical argument
Intellectual ability
Creativity/Out-of-box thinking
Professional ethics and integrity
Project management

Lab Skills Research Skills
Rock saw
Thin section making
Petrographic microscopy
Introduction to basic analytical equipment: XRD, XRF, SEM
Experimental design
Grain size analysis Defining a problem
Developing a research plan
Developing a data collection strategy
Collecting and analyzing data
Research report

Answer 3

OK, this is only speaking from my experience in 11th grade-level sciences (I took advanced ones, though).

There's a lot that needs to be done in this area, many kinds of careers you could have. Geology can be used to study how the earth shaped and formed, and why it does what it does. As far as skills, only generally speaking, you'd need to be intelligent, hard-working, good at making connections, etc., rather generic stuff.

but if you like this science and the earth, and all that stuff, definitely go for it! we probably need more people in the field, there's still a lot we don't know, and a lot of things subject to changing radically. It wasn't even that long ago we didn't know about sea-floor spreading, so think what you could discover?
I wich you the best of luck, and if you really love it, it'll be worth it.

Answer 4

Perseverance is the main trait needed. You may have to dig a lot of dry holes to find what you are looking for.
The science involves identifying and finding useful things on the ground or below the surface. Water and crude oil are the most important underground resources. Coal, minerals, gems all come from underground, and developers need the help of geologists to locate and identify them.

Answer 5

well if you go into research...you can branch into seismology...and predict when the next earthquakes will be..and how the earth is evolving especially with global warming...and besides the history of earth is sooo interesting...

Answer 6

the study of the earth