What kind of work are Earth Scientists doing?

• Predicting the behavior of Earth systems and the universe.
• Finding adequate supplies of natural resources, such as ground water, petroleum, and metals.
• Conserving soils and maintaining agricultural productivity.
• Developing natural resources in ways that safeguard the environment.
• Maintaining quality of water supplies.
• Reducing human suffering and property loss from natural hazards, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, landslides, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
• Determining geological controls on natural environments and habitats and predicting the impact of human activities on them.
• Defining the balance between society's demand for natural resources and the need to sustain healthy ecosystems.
• Understanding global climate patterns.

What skills are required? (or recommended)

• Strong foundational knowledge in physical sciences (including not just geology, but also chemistry and physics).
• Strong math skills (the higher the better -- Calculus minimum for most jobs)
• Flexibility -- especially in terms of location. There are lots of jobs if you're willing to move to find them!
• Independence
• Comfort with working outdoors (for field-based jobs, as opposed to lab-based jobs).
• Computer skills (modeling, databases, GIS -- all help)