Christopher Keane, Leila Gonzales, Heather Houlton American Geosciences Institute 10 October 2011

Sure, we have something to contribute, among others…. Scale is a challenge. G eoscience contribution to US GDP was 0.3% in 2010… We need to punch above our weight

The ideal science for the 21 st Century?

First Issue

Today’s middle school student will be the person in your seat in 2050 There is little you can do today to change the system to fundamentally change their path Real change will affect the workforce of the 22 nd Century The U.S. will be majority minority. Will the geosciences get it right?

Second Issue

United States: 250,000 geoscientists Russia: 80,000 geoscientist Europe: 60,000 geoscientists China: 40,000 geoscientists Canada: 35,000 geoscientists Africa: ~10,000+ geoscientists South America: Unknown Middle East: Unknown  Iraq: 5,000 India: Unknown

125,000 geoscientists expected to retire 72,000 geoscience job growth by 2021 (BLS) 15,000 total new graduates over the next 10 years Or 45,000 total new graduates if you hire B.S. level Net deficit of over 150,000 by 2021

Third Issue

In resource-oriented economies….  Geoscience is distinctly solid-earth geology  Near-surface processes are often omitted  Water issues often viewed as external  Licensure, bonding, and reporting to market authorities often required for practice In non-resource economies…  Geoscience is encompassing  Licensure is required uneven ly

In general, licensure is not transferrable – but there are efforts to help Licensure requirements can inhibit the rise of the journeyman geoscientist Nationality can become irrelevant, but the right to practice remains critical

Fourth Issue

Decrease student attrition Import talent  This isn’t Information Technology…. Expand domestic capacity Substitution with non-geoscientists Efficiencies  Wide open opportunity for innovations and entrepreneurial efforts.  3% p.a. efficiency increases currently.

Solution by Recognizing Leadership

Take Ownership in the Solution

Be honest about scale and scope Recognize where workforce processes are working Build involvement by the broad community in the civil society of the profession Recognize the time lag of change – build for the second next generation to see through real change