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A
Job To Love
Imagine spending your day exploring
an underground cave. You climb along
mysterious, dark tunnels and hear the
trickle of water. You trace the sound
to an opening where water is seeping
out of a layer of limestone. Based on
today's exploration, you know where
to drill into the surface rock to find
the source of this underground water.
When you get back to the office, you'll
use a computer-modeling program to understand
where the underground water is and how
it's connected to local rivers and lakes.
Your knowledge will help develop recommendations
on how to protect the water source from
contamination.
Hydrogeologists
preserve the environment by studying
groundwater like wells, pumps, remediation
systems, and underground rivers. To
start, most hydrogeologists work on
their own in the field, on land and
water, including special areas like
springs and caves. Hydrogeologists
who have many years of experience
work mostly indoors, in project teams,
and as supervisors. Many hydrogeologists
work in their home communities. Aboriginal
hydrogeologists protect groundwater,
a major source of drinking water,
by giving advice to industry about
the best way to care for groundwater.
It's
cool to have an outdoor job, but the
weather can be a concern. As a hydrogeologist,
you'll work outside whether it's nice
and sunny or windy and cold. You may
dream of keeping pure water pristine,
but you'll have to accept the reality
that the job focuses on areas that
have already been damaged. Many different
players, like industries and governments,
have input into attempts to repair
environmental damage, and their ideas
and goals might be the opposite of
yours. Then again, if you're good
at hydrogeology and accepting and
understanding different opinions,
you might enjoy this.
Job
Description
Hydrogeologists take samples of water,
soil, sediment, and rocks. In laboratories,
they use these samples to see how human
activity affects the environment. For
example, a hydrogeologist might help
design a garbage dumpsite by discovering
where the ground water is, calculating
which layers of rock protect the ground
water, and understanding which layers
of rock filter water for purity. Hydrogeologists
make recommendations and work with other
scientists to plan development projects
and to clean up contaminated sites.
Hydrogeologists work for conservation
authorities, educational institutions,
mining companies, consulting firms,
and the government. Some hydrogeologists
are self-employed.
Job
Duties
- Study
water for levels, flow rates, soil
and rock properties, temperature,
and chemical composition
- Use
field equipment to gather samples
of water, soil, sediment, and rock
- Use
laboratory equipment to test samples
for contaminants
- Design
water supply wells, pumps, and remediation
systems
- Assess
effects of human activities, such
as waste disposal and development,
on water quality
- Write
reports on research findings
- Provide
advice on how to clean up contaminated
sites
Fact
Canada has 25% of the world's fresh
water.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for a job as a hydrogeologist include
geology, physics, chemistry, math, computers,
geography, and English. Aboriginal studies,
history, and languages will prepare
you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as engineering
and biology.
The
minimum education requirement for
this job is a bachelor of science
degree in hydrology, engineering,
geology, or a related subject. A master's
degree will make you more competitive
in the job market. You'll find it
easier to get a job and negotiate
your salary.
Before entering the workforce, some
hydrogeologists require training in:
- Standard
and Wilderness First Aid
- Orienteering
- Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) use
Look
into specific high school prerequisites
set by the university you would like
to attend.
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Hydrogeologists
with a university degree make an average
of $43,000.00 per year.
Hydrogeologists with a post-graduate
degree make an average of $75,00.00
per year.
Hydrogeologists with several years
of experience and education can make
up to an average of $104,000.00 per
year.
Financial
Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to hydrogeologists:
Groundwater Centre Scholarship
$1000.00 for a second year student
of Hydrogeological Technology at the
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Students are automatically considered
when they apply for the program.
Imperial Oil Ltd. Aboriginal Scholarship
Award
$3500.00 or more for residents of
BC, AB, SK, NWT, and Yukon who are
pursuing a post-secondary education
in Geology.
Contact: Administrator
Aboriginal Scholarship Awards Program,
Imperial Oil Ltd.
PO Box 2480, Station M
Calgary, AB
T2P 3M9
Telephone: (403) 237-4444
Fax: (403) 237-2593
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Some
of the best knowledge you'll gain
for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Join your family on camping
trips and ask your Elders about the
seasons when water is most plentiful
or scarce. Find out how your people
collected their water. Did they know
of secret water sources? The time
you spend outdoors will make your
studies easier. Your understanding
of the natural world will appeal to
employers, too.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Marine
biologist
- Water
treatment operator
- Fisheries
technologist
Relate
and interact with hydrogeologists.
Ask them what they like about their
job and how you should get started.
Canadian Water Network
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3G1
Telephone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 6367
website: www.cwn.rce.net
Geological Association of Canada
Department of Earth Sciences
Room ER4063, Alexander Murray Building
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1B 3X5
Telephone: (709) 7737-7660
email: gac@esd.mun.ca
website: www.cwn-rce.net/HOME.HTM
The Canadian Aboriginal Science
and Technology Society
website: www.casts.ca
The Canadian Aboriginal Science
and Engineering Association
website: www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/casea
Relate with other students. Most universities
have Aboriginal student associations
and resource centres. Visit these
centres to find out what they have
to offer. Also look into community
centres, friendship centres, and multi-cultural
centres.
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