Geologist and related Geological Career Description
Geology is the study of the material that constitutes the earth, the physical forces that act on the earth and the biology of its past inhabitants as revealed by fossils. This knowledge is used in the search for essential raw materials, but also for other purposes such as to ensure safe land usage and in the conservation of the environment.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
You will often be out in nature, studying and mapping rock formations, collecting rock samples and fossils and measuring the physical properties of the earth in order to interpret the geological processes that have been active during the 4000 million years of earth history. Depending on your preference and training you may also be working in a laboratory, determining the mineralogical and chemical composition of rock samples collected in the field with sophisticated instruments or processing and modeling geological data.
Careers in geology can be subdivided into five groups:
General geologist
In this group are included all careers for which the choice of subjects at university is less critical than for the other careers. A large variety of careers can be followed such as in mining geology, geochemistry,
Mineralogy/petrology, geological mapping, economic geology, petroleum geology, etc. Only a few basic ones are described here:
» Geological mapping is the documentation of geological information such as the distribution of different rocks on a map. This is one of the most important tasks of a geologist.
» In economic geology mineral deposits and the processes leading to their formation are studied.
» Environmental geology studies recent sediments deposited among others in river valleys, on beaches and in the oceans in order to acquire information on aspects such as climatic changes, sea-level fluctuations, erosion of coastlines and the influence of human activities on the environment.
Engineering geologist
Engineering geologists study the physical and chemical properties of rocks and soil in order to ensure that dams, roads, tunnels and buildings are built at the most suitable sites and in the most cost-effective manner. It includes the study of construction materials used in these civil constructions.
Geohydrologist
Geohydrologists investigate the occurrence and exploitation of groundwater in different geological formations. They study the characteristics and distribution of natural underground water-reservoirs, their water storing capacity, the movement of water through them, the consequences of withdrawal of water for human consumption and replenishment during precipitation.
Specialization on honors level is essential for a career as geohydrologist.
Palaeontologist
By studying fossils, paleontologists can make deductions concerning the climate that prevailed during deposition and the environment in which the organisms lived. This information contributes to our knowledge of factors that led to the extinction of species and the origin of new species. Fossils are furthermore utilized to determine the relative age of rocks and are particularly important in the search for coal and oil deposits.
Geophysicist
Geophysicists use a variety of techniques to study the physical properties of the earth from which deductions are made of the distribution of rock types and their structure below the surface soil cover and also at great depths. Geophysical observations contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the break-up, movement, collision and amalgamation of continents and processes which govern the formation of continents and also, among other things to find minerals.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
The working conditions and techniques used by geologists vary a great deal and therefore they must be able to adapt to different conditions. In most fields of application, geologists spend a lot of time in the field, especially in the early stage of their careers and a love for nature is therefore important. Fieldwork is often done in inhospitable areas and unpleasant weather and therefore they should have perseverance.
Where can I work?
Mining companies are the main employers of geologists and geotechnologists. Other employers are oil and gas exploration companies, consulting companies and civil
engineering firms. Job opportunities also exist at semi-government institutions such as the Council for Geoscience, universities, and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Yes, some geologists form their own firms to render consulting services.
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