How to Become a Geophysicist

Geophysicists are scientists who use their knowledge of physics, chemistry and mathematics to study the earth's interior forces and exterior characteristics. These individuals often work for petroleum and gas companies and the federal government.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Career Counseling
• Online Career Search
• Specialized Software
• Cellular Phone Batteries
• Cellular Phone Services
• Cellular Phones

1. Take physics and chemistry courses in high school and try to take advanced placement (AP) courses as well. Understand you will need to take numerous courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry and geology in college.

2. Ask your guidance counselor for assistance in finding colleges that award a bachelor's degree in geophysics. It is not offered as frequently as the closely related major of geology.

3. Peruse the Web sites of the American Geophysical Union and the American Geological Institute for information about the similarities and differences between geophysicists and geologists (see agiweb.org).

4. Develop excellent computer skills in college, especially in the areas of computer modeling, digital mapping, data analysis and geographic information systems (GIS). As a geophysicist, much of your time will be spent interpreting computer data.

5. Work towards a master's degree in geophysics if you want to advance in your career. You will need to choose a specialization in an area such as geodesy (the study of the size, shape and motion of the earth) or seismology (the study of earthquakes).

6. Obtain critical field experience through summer internships.

7. Get a Ph.D. if you would like to teach or conduct research. Teaching can eventually offer you a tenured position, whereas working for gas or oil companies may depend on economic conditions.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that you may have to move to a remote area to take accurate readings of the earth without getting interference from modern signals. A cellular phone will be a necessity.

• Be aware that many geophysicists either work as consultants for private companies or get jobs through grants from the government. Therefore, polish your writing skills so that you will be able to market yourself in a professional manner.

• You must have a lot of self-confidence to succeed in this field. Much of your eventual work will be unsupervised.