Anyone here a Geologist or becoming one?

[ElectribeCyanide]

I'm looking to go back to school, I love geology and the study of minerals/rocks. When I was working as a plumber, during a dig, i struck into a quartz vein underneath the house, well I almost got fired when the boss comes down to see pounds of rocks in a pile for me to take home... I have been looking into it and basically it uses a lot of chemistry, biology, physics and sciences which i'm not strong at, but with a passion behind me I could plow through it.

Now I was looking into a BSC honours geology which is recognized by the geological institute of canada, and was curious if anyone had gone this route?

Also, How do you find school in general? was it tedious to get through, was it worth it? Would you do it again if you were in that position?

I need a change in my life, and I think this is a good route, throw me some stories good or bad around geology if you have them too

[godofcheese]

My mom got her degree in Petroleum Geology. From what I hear that is where most of the jobs are now days, at least down here in TX.

If you are into rocks, go for it. Most people either go into research, or go to work for a lab. Of course tons of jobs with Oil, Mining and such.

[RazorWind]

I'm not myself a geologist, but I work for one of the more prominent academic research organizations in that field, and a lot of the work I do is related to research in geology.

At this time, most of the money to be had in this field is in petroleum exploration. If you look at the funding our research groups get, the contrast between the energy and environmental sides is pretty stark, although if you're in academic research, what you actually make yourself will be fairly modest, regardless of what you're working on.

Based on what you've stated here, it doesn't sound to me like energy exploration would be your cup of tea, as my experience is that it's pretty light on the minerology and really heavy on the sequence stratigraphy. There are other paths to go, obviously, and you may find them rewarding, but you'd be unlikely to get rich doing it.

[s0me0nesmind1]

Originally Posted by godofcheese

My mom got her degree in Petroleum Geology. From what I hear that is where most of the jobs are now days, at least down here in TX.

If you are into rocks, go for it. Most people either go into research, or go to work for a lab. Of course tons of jobs with Oil, Mining and such.

Isn't the world trying to reduce (and eventually eliminate) it's dependence on limited energy? Doesn't sound like too much of a future.

[ElectribeCyanide]

Originally Posted by RazorWind

I'm not myself a geologist, but I work for one of the more prominent academic research organizations in that field, and a lot of the work I do is related to research in geology.

At this time, most of the money to be had in this field is in petroleum exploration. If you look at the funding our research groups get, the contrast between the energy and environmental sides is pretty stark, although if you're in academic research, what you actually make yourself will be fairly modest, regardless of what you're working on.

Based on what you've stated here, it doesn't sound to me like energy exploration would be your cup of tea, as my experience is that it's pretty light on the minerology and really heavy on the sequence stratigraphy. There are other paths to go, obviously, and you may find them rewarding, but you'd be unlikely to get rich doing it.

I don't think I'd go into petroleum myself either... Something involving minerals, fossils or gold/diamonds etc. And i'm definitely not looking to get rich, just looking for something in my life that I dont' consider tedious and actually has some meaning attached to the work..

[Mr. Marbles]

My guess is you would need more than a bachelors to qualify for any decent paying job in geology.

[ElectribeCyanide]

Originally Posted by Mr. Marbles

My guess is you would need more than a bachelors to qualify for any decent paying job in geology.

Who said I'd stop at a Bsc in geology

[ohh.word]

Originally Posted by Mr. Marbles

My guess is you would need more than a bachelors to qualify for any decent paying job in geology.

having this problem myself with a BS in Geography

[goatrape]

I'm doing a Geology & Petroleum Geology Hons BSc, it's great.

What more do you want to know? I'm in Scotland so I don't know how relevant my answers would be.

[onigami]

Originally Posted by s0me0nesmind1

Isn't the world trying to reduce (and eventually eliminate) it's dependence on limited energy? Doesn't sound like too much of a future.

petroleum will always be used for things like plastics, fertilizer, and drugs.

[zoopnazi]

Originally Posted by s0me0nesmind1

Isn't the world trying to reduce (and eventually eliminate) it's dependence on limited energy? Doesn't sound like too much of a future.

This is a VERY incorrect statement

[ElectribeCyanide]

Thanks for all the help & info, I'm definitely taking a long hard look at this career before I jump in but everything looks ok so far.

[s0me0nesmind1]

Originally Posted by zoopnazi

This is a VERY incorrect statement

Kind of why the first part was a question...But automobiles obviously play a large role, if it were to be eliminated, what would be something near as large that the world would need it for?

[Mr. Marbles]

Originally Posted by ElectribeCyanide

Who said I'd stop at a Bsc in geology

Good grief settle down. Quote for where I said you wanted to stop at Bsc?

[DPhrag]

I had an IPO meeting with a bunch of geologists today.. I have no idea what they were talking about but it sounded like they make bank. These guys were some geo-thermal energy company.