Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles
Earth Science
Earth scientists study the materials that make up the Earth, and the natural and human processes that shape its landscape.
Key Skills & Knowledge
Analytical and critical thinking - Design experiments; develop theories; synthesize complex information; creative thinking; problem solving skills; decision making skills
Oral and written communication skills- presenting and communicating technical and scientific data and ideas clearly and articulately to both the scientific and non-scientific communities using current technology; scientific and technical writing; memorize large amounts of information
Organization and attention to detail- Independent worker, ability to meet deadlines; inspect specimens; demonstrate precision and accuracy in data collection and observation; data, time and resource management;
Research- Analyze and evaluate information; interpretation of trends from results; gather and access data
Interpersonal- Working in a team; oversee, supervise and contribute to a project
Technical- Perform laboratory procedures; Dissect preserved or euthanized specimens; observe and make measurements on organisms; administration of biological tests; collect and preserve field organisms
Sample Job Titles
Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo
- Aeronautical Cartographer
- Air Quality Specialist
- Cartographer
- Conservation Officer
- Development Planner
- Environmental Assessment Officer
- Environmental Consultant/Planner
- Field Project Coordinator
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician
- Geomatics Analyst/Technologist
- Hazardous Materials Consultant
- Hazardous Waste Inspector
- Historical Consultant
- Hydrologist
- Land Planner
- Land Registration Officer
- Land Survey Technologist
- Materials Analyst
- Meteorologist
- Mineralogist
- Mining Industry Technician
- Park Naturalist
- Parks & Recreation Coordinator
- Pollution Control Inspector
- Researcher/Research Assistant
- Resource Technician
- Soil Scientist
- Surveyor
- Teacher / Professor
- Technical Writer
Potential Industries
- Agriculture
- Atmospheric Monitoring
- Biotechnology
- Conservation
- Education
- Environment & Pollution
- Food & Beverage Manufacturers
- Geomatics
- Global Change Forecasting
- Government
- Hospitals & Medical Centres
- Hydrology/Water Resources
- International Development
- Land Reclamation
- Medicine & Health Organizations
- Mapping & Cartography
- Mining & Resource Exploration
- Museums
- National or Provincial Parks
- Natural Resources
- Non-Profit & NGOs
- Pharmaceuticals
- Post-Secondary Institutions
- Research Institutions
- Technical Writing
- Testing Laboratories
- Writing
- Zoos & Aquariums
- Non-Profit & NGOs
- Pharmaceuticals
- Post-Secondary Institutions
- Research Institutions
- Technical Writing
- Testing Laboratories
- Writing
- Zoos & Aquariums
Associations & Professional Development
- Alberta Women's Science Network (AWSN)
- Association of Professional Engineers and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGA)
- Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
- Canadian Association of Geographers
- Canadian Association of Science Centers
- Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists
- Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU)
- Canadian Medical Association
- Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicist (CSEG)
- Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CPSG)
- Geological Association of Canada
- Mineralogical Association of Canada (MAC)
- The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology
Additional Resources
Key Contacts
Faculty Contact
Earth Sciences Building, Room 365
T: 403.220-8929
E: earthsci@ucalgary.ca
W: http://www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/earth_science
Clubs on Campus:
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Centre For Career & Personal Development
MacEwan Student Centre, Room 188
T: 403.220.8020
E: csstdnt@ucalgary.ca
W: ucalgary.ca/careers
