Have you ever thought about what the earth is made up of? How has it evolved? Are you interested in deep exploration of the earth? Do rocks fascinate you? Did you ever think they have a story to tell? Are you conscious of earth related issues like environmental protection, management of resources, minerals and oil exploration? If yes, a career as a Geologist would be the perfect fit for you.
Continue exploring the article to know everything about pursuing a career as Geologist.
Who are Geologists?
Geology is a multi-disciplinary science that uses the principles of physics, chemistry and math to study about the earth.
A geologist is an expert in geology who studies about the origin and evolution of the earth’s structure. These professionals use rocks with their disposition to study about the earth’s formation, its evolution through time and the processes it has been through since their first record found in the rocks.
Their duties include prediction of natural disasters, identifying climate patterns and investigating about renewable and non-renewable resources. Geologists’ contribution is in diverse fields like remote sensing, computer simulations, resource mapping and recycling technology.
Responsibilities
- Required to study the earth’s structure, composition, history and characteristics.
- Identification and location of various places and developing geographic maps.
- Continuous research on the location of natural gas, oils and minerals and identification of rocks and fossils.
- Measurement of earth’s gravity and magnetic field by constructing maps and conducting geological surveys.
- Play a vital role in exploration, cleaning up and preservation of the environment.
- Carry out lab research for studying samples obtained from the earth or seabed.
- Plan and explore drilling programs and then collect and interpretation of data.
- Supervise site investigations and budge formulation and working along with engineers on-site.
- Evaluation of quality and quantity of hydrocarbons and minerals.
Education and Eligibility
- Completion of 10+2 in Math, Physics, Chemistry from a recognized board.
- Pursue a Bachelors degree in Geology, Earth Sciences or related scientific field of 3-4 years duration.
- Pursue Masters Degree with specialization in Geology and Applied Geology that is of 2 years duration. For admission to government colleges, aspirants have to qualify the GATE entrance exam. Different colleges and universities have their own entrance exams for admission.
- Few colleges offer integrated bachelors and master courses.
- Since Geologists are research-based professionals, a Doctorate degree is recommended.
Specializations in Geology
The following are the specializations an aspiring geologist can opt for:
- Geochemistry.
- Mineralogy.
- Volcano logy.
- Structural geology.
- Seismology.
- Remote Sensing.
- Planetology.
- Marine Geology.
Top Institutes in India offering Geology courses
The institutes that offer Geology courses at UG and PG levels are:
- Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur and Roorkee
- Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay and Bhubaneshwar.
- Pondicherry University.
- Andhra University, Vishakapatnam.
- University of Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University
- Aligarh Muslim University
Top Universities in abroad offering Geology courses
- Southern Hampshire University.
- Arizona State University.
- Denver University.
- John Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.
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Key Skills required for Geologists
- Expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Data Analysis.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Detail Oriented and Report Writing Skills.
- Be physically fit, self-reliant and resourceful.
- Observation Skills.
- Teamwork skills.
- Expertise in instruments used in geology.
- Able to interpret geographical and statistical information.
- Investigative skills.
- Communication and problem-solving skills.
Top Recruiting Organizations for Geologists
- Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
- Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC)
- Hindustan Zinc Ltd
- Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC)
- Mineral Exploration Ltd.
- Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
Top Recruiting Companies
- Chevron
- Shell
- Saint Gobain
- Reliance Industries.
Salary and Job prospects
The pay of a Geologist is dependent on many factors like proficiency, experience level, geographic location, industry, education and training. The average starting salary of a geologist is INR 2.25 LPA. The government sector salary is INR 9.5 LPA and abroad the median salary is $ 91,920.
It is an emerging career option for aspiring geologists and opens a plethora of opportunities for these professionals to work in both the national and international arenas.
The geology field and related sciences are expected to grow phenomenally at a rate of 10% in the coming 4-5 years. This expected demand is due to rapidly evolving needs for the protection of the environment, resource management and energy resources. Experienced geologists have better growth in this field. Also, geologists are required to work in petrochemicals and similar other fossil fuel-related activities.
– Samiya Firdous
