Start your career as a professional geoscientist.
The traditional field of geology has today expanded into the study of the entire Earth system, including the atmosphere, water, and living environments.
The traditional field of geology has today expanded into the study of the entire Earth system, including the atmosphere, water, and living environments.
Mining, consulting, and oil and gas are the largest sectors, but there is a significant number of geoscientists that work in water management, research and teaching, regulation, government, finance, and
The proportion of geoscientists employed in mining.
The proportion of geoscientists employed as consultants.
The proportion of geoscientists employed in
Geoscience is highly diverse and there is no single, specific set of prescribed subjects.
If you want to enter academia as a researcher or teacher then you will need significantly more formal education, preferably including chemistry, physics, and biology. A PhD with post-doctoral experience is a
A career in mining or oil and gas extraction is more flexible as industry priorities change and new branches evolve. No doubt these sectors will evolve even further and new career paths will arise which do not
To become a consultant or entrepreneur you need work experience and practical skills. Business planning, financial management, marketing, project management, and leadership experience will all prove to
Once employed, there are usually opportunities to continue your education both within a company and academically. It is not uncommon to earn an MSc, MBA, or PhD while still advancing in
Geoscientists often choose a different career direction after working in a sector for a few years, leaving their company to become an environmental consultant or embracing entrepreneurship.
SACNASP runs a one-year Candidate Mentoring Programme in
The programme is open to geoscientists younger than thirty-five who have fewer than three years of experience, are registered candidates with SACNASP, and are GSSA members.
Candidates participate in both individual and group mentoring sessions, giving them time with professional geologists who have many years of experience.
A mentor helps a candidate develop skills to perform at their highest capacity and empowers the candidate to set and achieve goals for their professional and personal development.
The programme gives candidates networking opportunities as they attend events and field trips, and have the choice to volunteer with GSSA branches and divisions.
We recommend taking a deeper dive by watching career-related videos and browsing
youtube.com
A series of presentations that showcase career paths available in
geoscience.org.za
A national science council that promotes geoscience research and provides
geology.com
News and information that covers topics such as diamonds, earthquakes, fossils,
usgs.gov
Information on geological hazards, including volcanoes and earthquakes, and related
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Satellite imagery and data-driven insights on Earth's natural events and
bgs.ac.uk
Independent research organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data, information