Careers in Geosciences: Employment Trends, Marketable Skills, and Strategies for Job Seekers - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Careers in Geosciences: Employment Trends, Marketable Skills, and Strategies for Job SeekersAaron W. Johnson, PhDExecutive DirectorAmerican Institute of Professional Geologists1333 W 120th AvenueWestminster, CO 80234

2. The Job Market is Strong…Mostly~325,000 working geoscientists in the USAOil and Gas Industry is hiring—M.S. and Ph.D.Environmental Field—mostly B.S. students (40%)Retirements may drive job markets~50% of geoscientists will be eligible to retire between 2018 and 2024Predicted shortage of 90,000 geoscientists by 2030 (gap is narrowing)Narrowing due to:Increases in productivityIncreases in recent graduatesExpanded use of employees with certifications or with related degrees

3. Potential Employers and Job Seekers

4.

5. Recent Trends in Total Geoscience Employment

6. Employment Outlook Within Sectors

7. 10-Year Overall Projection

8. 10-Year Projections by Sector

9. 10-Year Projections by Occupation

10. Employment Trend SummaryLargest growth potential by sector:Professional and Technical ServicesAgricultural and Mining SupportOil and GasWeakest growth by sector:Federal GovernmentMining*Waste managementState and Local Government

11. Employment Trends SummaryLargest Growth Potential by Occupation:Environmental EngineersEnvironmental ScientistsGeologistsPetroleum EngineersSmallest Growth Potential by OccupationExploration GeologistsMining Geologists*Management

12. Where do Students Look for Work?

13. Salaries are ExcellentRecent graduate average starting salaries vary by degreeB.S.--$30,000 - $50,000M.S.--$40,000 - $60,000 OR $100,000 - $120,000 (O&G; Engineering)Ph.D.-- $50,000 - $70,000**All starting salaries above $90,000 were in Oil and GasMedian salaries are increasing in all sectorsEngineering managers: $132,800 Petroleum engineers: $129,990Mining and geological engineers: $94,040 All Geoscientists: $89,700 Hydrologists: $79,550

14. 10-year Salary Trends

15. A Closer Look at Starting Salaries

16. Recent Median Salaries by Occupation

17. Marketable SkillsExpected Skills vs. Marketable SkillsExpected skills are what you learned at University (mineral identification, 3-point problems, Darcy’s Law, simple stratigraphy, aqueous geochemistry, basic field mapping, etc.)Marketable skills set YOU apart from the herdWrite, write, write!Do you know when to lead and when to follow?AutonomyInitiativeApplied skills (Total Station, well sampling, SAS or other statistical software, coding in Python or Strabo, Vulcan or similar software (Rockware, etc)

18. Marketable SkillsMarketable skillsSupervisory experienceBudgetingProject managementLogisticsDon’t discount your experience outside geologyBe Jesse Branham

19. Advice for Job Seekers

20. Advice for Job SeekersGo to the Job FairJoin a professional organizationFaculty are a resourceFind an Internship or applied research projectAttend a professional conferenceWalk in the DoorWrite a good cover letter and resumeDo your homeworkBe ready for a phone interviewTake any opportunity

21. The Job FairMU does not have a job fair that is specific to geology or to the sciences in generalOther job fairs are open to the public (Kansas City, Raytown, St. Louis and at some MU-System Universities)Prepare for the FairFind the list of companies attending and become familiar with those you find interestingRead mission statements, company vision and values, descriptions of past projectsAre any MU Geology alumni employed there?

22. Join A Professional OrganizationBe ActiveAttend local eventsPresent a PosterBe outgoing

23. Faculty are a ResourceNetwork of successful (hopefully) graduate studentsLarge network of contactsOften have other professional experienceThey want you to succeed

24. Internships and Applied ResearchInternships need not be full summer programsSchedule around your course and research loadVolunteer with a government agency (USGS/USFWS/MODNR)Applications of your thesis researchApplied projects in classesIndependent study

25. Attend a Professional ConferenceOrganization in your desired fieldAttend networking eventsPresent your researchBring a business card

26. Walk in the DoorOnline Applications are StandardWhen you can, go to the officeBring an up-to- date resumeDress professionallyBe prepared to ask pertinent questionsBe familiar with some projectsHave a specific goal or outcome in mind

27. Write a good cover letter and resumeCover letter and resume are linkedBe conciseGeneric goal statements are a dime a dozenHighlight your key attributesProofread VERY carefully

28. Do your homeworkAdditional courses or certificationsTake the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology ExamGet your HAZWoPER 40-hour certificationGet a first aid and CPR certificationCheck your social media accounts for obvious stupidityBefore you apply, become familiar with the companyIdentify key personnelLearn about specific projects of interestCheck their social media

29. Be Ready for a Phone InterviewFirst contact is almost always by phoneDo a detailed review of the companyPost-It® notes are your friendMake notes by categoryStrengths, weaknesses, how you handle conflict, career goals, questions you have for them, all posted near your interview spaceHave specific examplesTake notes during the interview

30. Take Any OpportunityStretch your limitsThe first year is keyAverage is 7 different employers in a 30 year careerBe Matt Loehr

31. Questions?