To become a geological mapper, a bachelor’s degree in geology is required, but a master’s degree is preferred. A Ph.D. can lead to higher-paying jobs, but it takes longer to complete. GIS is a valuable tool for geological mappers, and they can work for mining or oil and gas extraction companies, teach at universities, or work as consultants.
To become a geological mapper, you’ll need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in geology, although many companies prefer a master’s degree for the additional knowledge it provides. So, to become a geological mapper, you’ll likely need a minimum of four years of college for your undergraduate degree and an additional two to three years for your master’s degree. A geological mapper with a doctorate in geology can commandeer the job of their choice, often at a salary well in excess of what a master’s degree can provide.
The downside of adding another five years to your education is not merely the additional tuition costs, as many universities will help fund a Ph.D., but the wages lost while you complete your advanced degree. So, unless you are getting an advanced degree to get a specific job, it would be nice to finish your masters and enter the field of work. This allows you to gain valuable field experience that many employers consider equal in value to the education gained in the classroom. Once you graduate and are ready to become a geological mapper, your most likely source of employment will be mining or oil and gas extraction companies. These companies use geological mappers and mapping technology to help them determine whether an area’s rock strata contain precious or rare minerals or exhibit the type of structure that presupposes valuable deposits of oil and natural gas.
The most valuable tool you will use if you become a geological mapper is a geographic information system (GIS), which is a computer system that not only maps the geology of an area, but also stores the information for later analysis and cross-comparison. . This ability to store and cross-reference various geological aspects of an area results in better decision-making by company executives tasked with planning the next oil or gas well bore. If the hole is successful, it will also boost your reputation as a geological mapper.
Eventually, your understanding of geological mapping principles could lead to a teaching position at a college or university. It can also lead to private employment as a consultant to mining, energy, and geothermal companies, and this is a path that many former geological mappers take to give their work additional autonomy. Some geological mappers even work for regional or national governments to identify and assess appropriate sites for hazardous waste disposal. Some work to reduce earthquake risks or even predict earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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