Geoscience Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Geoscience focuses on the study of subjects related to the earth. Your duties as a geoscientist may include studying geology, oceanography, volcanology, seismology, soil science, geophysics, or geochemistry. The responsibilities of some geoscientists include working to understand the atmosphere, climate, or natural resources, such as petroleum or precious metals. Any job that focuses on understanding, analyzing, or interpreting the physical characteristics of the earth is a geoscience career. You can also focus on studying past planetary conditions or making forecasts about the future.

There are a variety of different careers in geoscience. As a petroleum geologist, you work to find and analyze petroleum reserves. Other geologists may study minerals or mining-related subjects. As an oceanographer or hydrologist, you work on water-related topics. Geochemists and geophysicists perform research on the chemical makeup and motion of the earth's elements. You can work on weather, climate, air quality, and atmosphere issues as an atmospheric scientist or study fossils and historical geology as a paleontologist. Earth science educators are also geoscience professionals, and environmental sciences may fall under the category of geoscience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for geoscience professionals should increase faster than the average job growth for all industries between now and 2026. The growth of some professions, such as those related to oil and mining, may depend on alternative energy development and markets. The demand of hydrologists is predicted to increase by 10 percent by 2026, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that demand may increase as the world deals with issues like sea level rise and allocation of water resources.

The minimum qualifications for most geoscience careers include a bachelor’s degree in a geoscience specialty. Employers may prefer a master’s degree or Ph.D. for research or senior-level consulting positions. Some colleges may only offer geoscience degrees that cover the broad subject, while others provide specialized bachelor’s and master’s degrees in petroleum geology, mineralogy, climate sciences, hydrology, or soil science. Both private companies and research institutions may prefer applicants who have a specialized degree rather than a general degree. You need a license in some states to work as geologist or hydrologist. In all careers, research skills are crucial.