<p>To Whom It May Concern, </p>
<pre><code>I just wanted to ask any one who: is pursuing a career in geology, is already a geologist, or is thinking about going into geology, why did you choose geology? I have recently visited Yellowstone National Park and the Badlands National Park and was absolutely inspired by the scenery and beauty of the area. Questions such as, how did these formations come about, etc., kept popping into my head. Because of this trip, I began to explore careers that may answer this question or allow investigation for related questions and I stumbled upon the Geosciences. I wanted to know if any of you started your interest in geology because of a similar experience? Or, did you pursue geology because of something more specific within the field?.. I really want to know what inspired you?
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<p>Also, if you've had experience with a career in geology, what is a typical day like? Is exploration a big part of your job? I am curious because I want to find a career that requires a lot of time outdoors and in the field. </p>
<p>Thank you for your time!
Nicole </p>
<p>Geology is a good field of study that doesn’t get much respect from the average Joe. A lot of people have no idea what a geologist does. I often get asked by people “what can you even do with a geology degree” or “so you look at rocks all day… wow”.</p>
<p>Most people, like myself do not enter college as a geology student. Often they decide to study geology after taking the first geology class or in your case going out west (pretty common). I was always interested in geology; however, I didn’t start my college career as a geology student. After taking the intro lecture and lab I saw that I excelled at it and figured it was for me. Fast forward 5 years and I am in graduate school pursuing my MS in geology. I could not have made a better choice. This field fits me. One of the hardest concepts to grasp for many students is the ability to think spatially. Understanding how systems form and work in 3D is very important. </p>
<p>In terms of jobs. The best paying job for working outdoors is mineral resources (mining). Those geologist get to work in the most desolate to beautiful and remote places in the world (anywhere you can commercially mine). Also, if you were looking into the environmental side of things, well they work outdoors a lot. However, for the entry level positions you are in the “field” more often than not and the field typically consists of some contaminated waste site or some refinery. Probably not as glorious as Yellowstone. </p>
<p>I am interning in the oil and gas business, and I spend most all my time parked behind some computers in my office. </p>
<p>I chose to go into geology as an undergraduate because I liked the outdoor labs.</p>
<p>The job market for geologists is pretty good right now. Any geologist can hop on the oil/gas boom going on right now and make lots of money ($80-100k or more) right out of college. In the petroleum industry, entry level jobs will generally involve long hours in remote places (North Dakota, etc). The work is tough, but the pay is excellent. After a geologist gets field experience, they can move to an office job, and have more work/life balance, but still make good money.</p>
<p>The other two fields are environmental and mining. I’m in environmental geology right now. The work is interesting, but it pays about half of what the petroleum geologists make. I work in an office most of the time. Some people work in the field most of the time. Field work in for environmental geologists is not spectacular. It mostly involves traveling to hazardous waste sites and sampling the soil and water at the site.</p>
<p>I’m not too familiar with mining for geologists. Some of the mines are located in spectacular locations, and they hire geologists to explore for additional resources to expand the mine when times are good. Keep in mind that many mining companies are contracting right now. There are more mining geologists than jobs. Mining geology is a much smaller field than the other two.</p>
<p>There are other sub-disciplines of geology that employ a limited number of geologists, such as vulcanologist, earthquake seismologists, glaciologists, etc. If you are not interested in the three main branches, there are other options. It just might take some creativity and luck to land one of them. </p>
<p>Most geologists are employed as either petroleum or environmental geologists. Although you can get started in geology with just a bachelor’s degree, a master’s is really needed to get ahead in most fields of geology. </p>