|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
A
Job To Love
Picture yourself hiking through the
mountains; you can’t help but admire
the incredible view. Looking at the
tall cliffs, you reflect on all the
rock types that form the mountain beneath
your feet. Eventually, you reach your
destination and begin to assess the
risk of a landslide. While you work,
part of you is amazed that it was only
last month that you were hundreds of
kilometres away, examining fossils near
the ocean.
Geologists
are earth scientists who study
the earth’s crust, as well as
the rocks, minerals, fossils, and
other materials in it. While some
office work is required, they often
work as part of a team on various
landforms as well as on ocean floors,
mountains, and in rivers. Many Aboriginal
geologists are able to live and work
in their home communities where they
study how human activities will affect
the strength of the ground and purity
of groundwater.
Many
people might claim that “geologists
rock!” but you need to be physically
and mentally tough for this job. As
a geologist, you’ll walk long
distances and work 12 to 14 hours
a day, sometimes seven days a week.
You’ll work in remote areas for
long periods of time and might miss
your family and friends. Then again,
you might find travelling to different
parts of the country—even the
world—exciting.
Job
Description
Geologists collect and analyze rock,
soil, fossil, and mineral samples. In
laboratories, they study these samples
to determine the effects of commercial
and industrial projects on the environment.
For example, a geologist might analyze
groundwater and soil contamination at
a hazardous waste site, and then recommend
and co-ordinate clean up of the site.
Geologists work for consulting firms,
exploration companies, environmental
agencies, educational institutions,
and the government. Some geologists
are self-employed.
Job
Duties
- Collect
and interpret rock samples and cores
- Classify
fossils and minerals
- Conduct
geological surveys and field studies
- Study
natural disasters such as earthquakes,
volcanoes, and mudslides
- Supervise
and co-ordinate well drilling
- Develop
applied software for the analysis
and interpretation of data
- Prepare
geological maps, cross-sectional
diagrams, and reports from fieldwork
and laboratory research
Fact
The area we call Canada has been forming
for over four billion years as several
rock plates of the earth’s crust
continue colliding. One of those plates,
the Canadian Shield, contains the
oldest rocks in the world.
|
|
 |
 |
|
High
school courses that will prepare you
for this job include geology, calculus,
geometry, chemistry, geography, and
English. Aboriginal studies, history,
and languages will prepare you for work
in a multi-cultural setting. Talk to
your career or academic counsellor about
options such as computer science, physics,
and biology.
The
minimum education requirement for
this job is a bachelor’s of degree
in earth science, geosciences or a
related subject. Advanced degrees
will make you more competitive in
the job market and make it easier
for you to negotiate your salary.
Before entering the workforce, some
geologists require training in:
- Standard
and Wilderness First Aid
- Orienteering
- Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) use
Look
into specific high school prerequisites
set by the college or university you
would like to attend.
To become a professional geologist,
you have to be licensed by a provincial
or territorial association. Professional
registration is often required for
jobs in Newfoundland, Alberta, British
Columbia, and the Northwest Territories.
You can register after graduating
from an accredited educational program
and performing several years of supervised
work experience. In some provinces,
you’ll have to write a professional
exam.
|
|
|
 |
|
Geologists
with a bachelor’s degree make
an average of $75,000.00 per year.
Geologists with a post-graduate degree
make an average of $90,000.00 per
year.
Geologists with several years experience
and education make an average of $150,000.00
per year.
Financial Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to geologists:
Imperial Oil Ltd. Aboriginal Scholarship
Award
Starting at $3,500.00 for residents
of BC, AB, SK, NWT or Yukon attending
post-secondary in geology.
Contact: Administrator, Aboriginal
Scholarship Awards Program
Imperial Oil Ltd.
P.O. Box 2480, Station M
Calgary AB
T2P 3M9
Telephone: (403) 237-4444
Fax: (403) 237-2593
David
M. Forget Memorial Award in Geology
$1,000.00 for a second year student
at the University of Waterloo.
Contact: Scholarship and Award
Chair
Department of Earth Science, University
of Waterloo
200 University Avenue
Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G1
Telephone: (519) 888-4567
|
|
|
 |
|
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 hiking
and camping trips. Ask your Elders
to tell you how they used the land’s
resources and what steps they took
to leave the earth in the same condition
they found it. Ask your Elders if
they remember earthquakes, pingos
or landslides in your area. The time
you spend outdoors will make your
studies easier and your understanding
of the natural world will appeal to
employers.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) analyst
- Land
use planner
- Remediation
scientist
- Survey
technician
Relate
and interact with geologists. Ask
them what they like about their jobs,
and how you should get started.
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. There
are Aboriginal student associations
and resource centers at most universities.
Visit these centres to find out what
they have to offer. Also, look into
community, friendship, and multi-cultural
centres.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
