What are the 5 sectors of the geoscience workforce?
The Five Sectors of the Geoscience Workforce
The geoscience workforce is typically divided into five main sectors, each encompassing a range of careers and specializations related to Earth sciences. These sectors are:
- Energy: This sector includes jobs related to the exploration, extraction, and management of energy resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, geothermal, wind, and solar energy.
- Environmental: Professionals in this sector focus on issues such as environmental protection, remediation, water resources, environmental consulting, and pollution control.
- Minerals and Mining: This sector involves the exploration, extraction, and processing of mineral resources, including metals, industrial minerals, and aggregates.
- Government: Government geoscientists work in federal, state, and local agencies, conducting research, managing natural resources, developing policies, and ensuring public safety through geological surveys and hazard assessments.
- Academia and Research: This sector includes teaching and research positions at universities, colleges, and research institutions, where professionals advance scientific knowledge and educate the next generation of geoscientists.
Together, these sectors support a wide range of activities crucial to understanding and managing Earth's resources and environment.