When I grow up, I want to be a GEOLOGIST!

Typical profile of a geologist Enjoy the outdoors (hiking, camping, etc.) Enjoy traveling Are good in science Aren’t afraid of math, chemistry, and physics (used as tools to understand the earth)

What do geologists do, anyway? Work (and play!) outside Study the earth – not just rocks! Solve problems

Geologic hazards -- Reducing the risk Study natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, etc. and develop ways/plans to reduce the hazards to humans Perform intelligent geologic planning for the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, dams, and other infrastructure Study soil conditions and landslide potential and develop methods to increase foundation or slope stability

Ms. Taryn Lopez Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua (2005) 2004 UWEC Geology Alumna

Study natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, etc. and develop ways/plans to reduce the hazards to humans Perform intelligent geologic planning for the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, dams, and other infrastructure Study soil conditions and landslide potential and develop methods to increase foundation or slope stability

Engineering Geology Study natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, etc. and develop ways/plans to reduce the hazards to humans Perform intelligent geologic planning for the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, dams, and other infrastructure Study soil conditions and landslide potential and develop methods to increase foundation or slope stability

Engineering Geology Viaduct connecting Paris and Barcelona

Environmental Geology Solve problems related to flooding or erosion, urban development, waste disposal Conserve soil and maintain agricultural productivity Study the link between geology and natural environments and habitats and how humans affect them Study global climate patterns and climate change Design where and how to dispose of waste

Hydrogeology Maintain quality and quantity of water supplies - Clean up groundwater contamination - Study groundwater-surface water interactions to prevent degradation of either

Hydrogeology Maintain quality and quantity of water supplies - Clean up groundwater contamination - Study groundwater-surface water interactions to prevent degradation of either

Exploration Geology Find supplies of materials we all use – petroleum and metals Develop extraction techniques that don’t destroy the environment Develop environmentally friendly waste disposal techniques

Mineral resources

New $60 million EOG sand processing plant in Chippewa Falls

Petroleum geology Gulf of Mexico Wyoming

Okay, but who hires us? Employers Environmental consulting firms U.S. Geological Survey State Geological Surveys Forest Service Department of Energy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency DNR County land conservation offices Petroleum or mining exploration companies Teaching – junior high, high school, or college The employment outlook in geology - as in any profession - varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, increasing environmental concerns, global issues such as rising sea levels, and hazard assessment present new challenges to geoscientists. Career opportunities are increasing in environmental science and hydrogeology with the growing need to maintain Earth's natural environments and meet society's demands for Earth materials. Money magazine (Feb., 1992) ranked "geologist" second overall out of 100 best occupations and in the top nine for "jobs that satisfy."

Can I get paid to be a geologist? Average Starting Salaries with BS in geology (2002): $33,000- $47,000 Median annual earnings for geoscientists (2005): $71,600 Source: US Dept. of Labor, Labor Statistics, 2005 Edition The employment outlook in geology - as in any profession - varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, increasing environmental concerns, global issues such as rising sea levels, and hazard assessment present new challenges to geoscientists. Career opportunities are increasing in environmental science and hydrogeology with the growing need to maintain Earth's natural environments and meet society's demands for Earth materials. Money magazine (Feb., 1992) ranked "geologist" second overall out of 100 best occupations and in the top nine for "jobs that satisfy."

How does a UWEC geology major prepare me for one of those careers?

Geology at UWEC – Course Work Major requires math (Calc 1), chemistry, and Physics 1

Geology at UWEC – Course Work Major requires math (Calc 1), chemistry, and Physics 1

Geology at UWEC – Research The employment outlook in geology - as in any profession - varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, increasing environmental concerns, global issues such as rising sea levels, and hazard assessment present new challenges to geoscientists. Career opportunities are increasing in environmental science and hydrogeology with the growing need to maintain Earth's natural environments and meet society's demands for Earth materials. Money magazine (Feb., 1992) ranked "geologist" second overall out of 100 best occupations and in the top nine for "jobs that satisfy."

Geology at UWEC – Research The employment outlook in geology - as in any profession - varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, increasing environmental concerns, global issues such as rising sea levels, and hazard assessment present new challenges to geoscientists. Career opportunities are increasing in environmental science and hydrogeology with the growing need to maintain Earth's natural environments and meet society's demands for Earth materials. Money magazine (Feb., 1992) ranked "geologist" second overall out of 100 best occupations and in the top nine for "jobs that satisfy."

Geology at UWEC – Research The employment outlook in geology - as in any profession - varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral and water resources, increasing environmental concerns, global issues such as rising sea levels, and hazard assessment present new challenges to geoscientists. Career opportunities are increasing in environmental science and hydrogeology with the growing need to maintain Earth's natural environments and meet society's demands for Earth materials. Money magazine (Feb., 1992) ranked "geologist" second overall out of 100 best occupations and in the top nine for "jobs that satisfy."