~SolutionsWareHouse~: July 2010

Unlike most traditional professions (Law, Medicine and the Clergy), Geology is a specialized profession that evolved with the improvements in science and technology. The knowledge of our home – the Earth, is necessary if we must continue to live here, interact and maximize the huge deposit of the resources that naturally available on Earth, while keeping the environment safe in the process of our anthropogenic activities. I wish to welcome you to the world of Geoscience, and I would like to let you know that you have made a good decision to build a career in Geology and Earth Science.

Generally, the word Geoscience refers to Geology and Earth Science. It is simply the study of the Earth. Geology is the scientific study of the structure, evolution and dynamics of the Earth, and its natural resources. It is aimed at investigating the internal and external processes that have shaped the Earth through its 4,500 million year history. Many people, including geoscientists has viewed geology as an observational and descriptive science in the past decades, but the realities of recent research have convinced us that Geology is rather an objective and predictive science that is directly relevant to the needs of society. Our knowledge of Geology is applicable to human activities (Environmental, Economic, Engineering and Hydrogeological) and Geological hazards like Earthquake, Landslide, Tsunami, etc. It often involves work in foreign countries, and leads to the natural development of a wide range of transferable skills.

The normal entry requirement into a professional geoscience career is a first degree (B.Sc) in one of the geosciences. Many enter the profession with first degrees in other subjects following appropriate postgraduate trainings. For people with no geological background, a postgraduate diploma (Pg.D) may be required before proceeding for an M.Sc in Geology.

Career opportunities in geoscience is spread around the following areas

Oil and Gas (Exploration and Production)
Engineering and Environmental (including Hydrogeology and Geotechnical Engineering)
Geological Surveying
Education and Research.

Millions of people worldwide are working as professional geoscientists in the Oil and Gas Companies, Mining and Mineral Corporations, Federal and State Government Agencies, Research Institutions, Environmental and Hydrogeological Firms, Geotechnical Firms and in the Academia.

Most Nigerian geoscientists are employed in the hydrocarbons sector, working for an oil company or oil servicing firms - the consultants or specialist service companies that support oil & gas exploration and production. However the recruitment regime for the hydrocarbon sector in Nigeria has exceeded its climax and increasing numbers of geoscientists are now working in the water and environmental service companies and agencies, as well as other areas of employment such as extractive (mining/quarrying) and construction industries, or education.

Many geoscience jobs may involve periods of working abroad, including field assignments. Unlike in the UK and United States, where one of the largest single employer of geoscientists is the Geological Survey, which is responsible to government for the geological survey of the onshore and offshore, the provision of a national geoscience information service and related scientific activities, the reverse is the case in Nigeria, where only a priviledged few work in her Geologic Survey while the Oil and Gas sector remains the single largest employer of geologists. A geoscience degree from a Nigerian university is accepted internationally and career opportunities in similar scientific areas to those existing in Nigeria may be found abroad, mostly for experienced positions.

About 2,000 students graduate with a geoscience degree in Nigeria every year (although there are no national statistics); only about 20% have an opportunity to move directly into geologically related employment. The number of graduates every year is on the increase and there is an unusually great competition for the few jobs available. As with graduates in the other sciences less than half take up careers closely related to their chosen degree subject. A majority of geoscience graduates find equally rewarding careers in other areas, for which they are very well suited by their general scientific training and the wide range of core skills developed during their degree courses.

Well, I am sure that many students of geology and recent geoscience graduates in this part of the World will naturally be concerned with the present job situation, as many graduates compete for the few jobs available. At this point, I would like to stress that there is always a market for the best. These days, almost all employers would request for a minimum of Second Class Upper Divisions (2:1), before you could even be invited for an aptitude test, but beyond the technicalities of these selection tests, there is a need for self development as an individual geoscientist. Even after you have passed the selection test, you may need to still pass through some professional drills in basic geoscience, especially the applications of those things you were taught in school.

Becoming a trailblazing geoscientist is a function of professionalism. You need to know that being a professional geoscientist begins with the personal endorsement of consistently high standards of learning, work performance and conduct, an attitude that requires capability beyond mere competence and also requires willingness to be accountable. There must be a willingness to continually maintain and update your geological knowledge and acquire new skills where necessary and you are on your way to become a professional geoscientist. Based on my experience and my level of observation of the present trend in Nigeria, I would like to encourage all geoscience graduates that are willing to pursue a career here to adopt the followings.

Join a Professional Organization, and participate actively. Its easy to join one and the advantages of such membership is usually unquantifiable. Benefits may include Education (Short Courses, Conferences, Seminars, etc), Social, Networking, Leadership and Professional Development. A first degree usually forms the basic qualification for membership of a professional body, and eventually for becoming a Chartered Geologist. You may join any of the Professional bodies by following your link(s) of interest on this blog. Other organizations are available apart from those listed here.
Make conscious effort to develop yourself and be well informed about recent geological events, discoveries, news, etc. You may attend short courses, usually made available for members of professional bodies, technical sessions (e.g. NAPE), higher qualifications, etc. Information is power, learn to read to update your knowledge and endeavour to get news updates related to your chosen career.
Networking or using people you know to identify prospective employers, arrange interviews and provide recommendations. When you meet with people, let them know what you can do. It’s not just what you know, but who you know also matters and this perhaps is the most effective strategy in getting your dream job. Endeavour to create an impression in their minds that would make them get your contact for possible future benefits. However, such relationship is meant to be beneficial to both parties. The person may not have a job for you, but if S/he is genuinely interested in you, S/he may suggest other firms you could visit.
Prepare a good resume. This will create a first impression of your person in the mind of your potential employer. Endeavour to give yourself the best possible chance. If you have been previously employed, let it reflect. Your resume should be updated from time to time, as it would provide your prospective employer an overview of your work, skills acquired or specialized knowledge you may have acquired. You may contact me, if you require any form of assistance in this regard or use one of the many good books on preparing resumes. It is equally important to note that your resume must be 100% free of typographical, grammatical, and factual errors.
You may also need to rehearse ahead of your interview. This will enable you sharpen your interview skills. You should anticipate important questions and formulate positive responses. This subject is properly covered in greater details in other books, check bookstores or libraries for appropriate books.
Keep a positive attitude. A positive, enthusiastic attitude is usually recognized and appreciated by most employers. Be careful not to misrepresent your experience or capabilities to a potential employer, while trying to convey how indispensable you would be to the company.
Check out related job placements in different job boards. Daily newspapers could also be helpful as most jobs are usually published regularly (e.g. The Guardian, on Tuesday and Thursday). You may also subscribe to get update and alerts of recent geoscience vacancies in your mailbox. Visit: solutionswarehouse and enter your email address in the space provided and click subscribe.
Prepare ahead of any invitation for a selection test. You will only be invited for a test at most two weeks ahead of the date, and this may not be sufficient for you to prepare very well enough. Consult popular aptitude and skill tests materials for the different test practice questions, also visit try your hands on online tests – SHL, Assessment Day, etc. Always remember, chance favours the prepared mind.

In most cases, Self-Employment in geosciences is not very easy as in other professions, but it’s equally not uncommon. You may work as in Consulting, Prospects generation for oil and gas or become an independent operator. Independent geoscientists may lack personnel with vast technical expertise compared with professionals in large companies.

Numerous geoscience related work has remained on the waiting list over the past few decades in Nigeria and there seem to be no political will on the part of our government to create an enabling environment for professionals to thrive and compete with their colleagues in other parts of the World. As a geoscientist, I would encourage you to find a way of integrating your education, skills and experience, this will enable you to know where to put your efforts and invest your resources in your desire to build a successful career.

~SolutionsWareHouse~

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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