A bachelor’s degree in geology is required to work as a geological mapper, though many employers prefer a master’s degree for the additional knowledge it provides. As a result, to become a geological mapper, you will most likely need at least four years of college for an undergraduate degree and two to three years of additional study for a master’s degree. A geological mapper with a doctorate in geology can get the job of his or her dreams, often at a much higher salary than a master’s degree.
The disadvantage of extending your education by five years is not only the additional tuition costs (many universities will help fund a doctorate degree), but also the lost wages while you pursue your advanced degree. As a result, unless you need an advanced degree to get a specific job, you should finish your master’s degree and get back to work. This allows you to gain valuable on-the-job experience, which many employers value as much as classroom education. Mining or oil and gas extraction companies are the most likely employers once you have your degree and are ready to work as a geological mapper. These companies use geological mappers and mapping technology to determine whether an area’s rock strata contains precious or rare minerals, or if it has the type of structure that indicates the presence of valuable oil and natural gas deposits.
If you want to be a geological mapper, the most important tool you’ll have is a geographic information system (GIS), which is a computer system that not only maps an area’s geology but also stores it for later analysis and cross-matching. The ability to store and cross-reference various geological aspects of an area allows company executives in charge of planning the next oil or gas well bore hole to make better decisions. If the bore hole goes well, your reputation as a geological mapper will improve as well.
Your knowledge of geological mapping principles could eventually lead to a teaching position at a college or university. It could also lead to private consulting work for mining, energy, or geothermal companies, which is a route that many former geological mappers take to gain more job flexibility. Some geological mappers work for regional or national governments, identifying and evaluating suitable sites for hazardous waste disposal. Some scientists are working to reduce earthquake risks or even predict earthquakes and volcanic activity.