Earth and Environmental Scientists Job Kit

CAREERS

JOB KIT

withSTEM

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earth& environmental scientists Insights, information and experiences from careers in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Spark your career in science.

Rabecka Joseph chose to study a Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) at QUT, anticipating that it would lead to better work opportunities as a biological researcher after she graduates.

As a science‑loving high school student, Rabecka was particularly drawn to QUT’s emphasis on practical learning, real‑world applications, student support and passionate STEM staff.

qut.edu.au/study-science-advanced

CRICOS No: 00213J

Now settled into her stride at QUT, Rabecka finds practicals to be the most challenging part of her course, and also the most beneficial. Opportunities to work with advanced technologies and future applications are inspiring and rewarding.

To discover more of Rabecka’s story and learn about studying science at QUT, visit our website.

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FOREWORD

Down to Earth

director, centre for earth evolution and dynamic s

I

Head of School, Earth Atmospheric Sciences and , qut

Do you love exploring the outdoors, nature and cutting-edge tech? Then a career in Earth science or environmental science should be on your radar

ina Professor Carmen Ga

h and grew up in a small Head of School, Eart QUT ent s, rtm ce apa ien an suburb Atmospheric Sc in a communist country, but I always d loved being outdoors an around me. rld wo er exploring the wid cs at school, but while ysi ph d an I also liked maths to pursue a career in my father encouraged me ited by the idea of engineering, I wasn’t exc nded by machinery. working indoors, surrou ysics and everything Then I discovered geoph physics and technology clicked. Geoscientists use That could be mapping to explore the unknown. oceans, revolutionising unexplored parts of our face of climate change our energy systems in the of improving access to or tackling the challenge Nature is at the core of the clean water and air. se jobs, but cuttingsystem, the Earth ic list ho a is rth Ea edg the e technology is critical. Sat Just as es. enc sci ellite data is already ic list ho are es used extensively and obs and environmental scienc d erv an ati rks ons from drones wo e tur na w ho o and automated underwa They provide insight int ter vehicles will be the xible fle a in d use be can t tha norm in the very near fut equip you with tools ure. So if you like skills; the ability to sof tware development, nume career: lab and numerical , ths ma in rical modelling or ge led tems; know sophisticated visualisatio understand complex sys re. n, mo the d an n Earth science or y ph , geogra environmental science is chemistry, physics, coding ng a wo azi nd am erful playground to you e tak for these skills.

This is a career that will d. on bey n The mining industry ha places on Earth — and eve s always been a big employer of Earth scienc e graduates in Australia nd rou and, while this trend is stil A high-tech playg l strong, the number of ’t the only STEM career available career paths is Of course geoscience isn , gro ing wing. Your career lor te about exp could take you into academ path for people passiona r ou g ia tin like me, to a tec pro ately, government agency suc understanding and, ultim y h as rne Ge jou oscience Australia, rk wo d dy an the Australian Space Ag Earth. Whether your stu enc l y soi or y, CSIRO, or you log dro hy of may have an entrepreneur takes you down the path y, str mi ial che spi rit, applying your geo or y aph ogr transferable skills and qu science, ecology, ocean ali fic ati ons to start your s. ait own business! The world a fascinating career aw is before you.

senior researcher & team leadeR, university of oslo y pHD, geophysics, university of sydne

SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK

This is a career that will take you to amazing places on Earth — and even beyond”

Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about Earth & environmental scientist careers!

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EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS

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t e n a l p e h t e v a Get paid to s Put down the lab coat. There’s a world full of roles in conservation out there — Lab time optional

e of the scientists are arguably som arth and environmental With w. no erts in the world right most important STEM exp folks se the , ies l threat to communit climate change a very rea . tecting the natural world are at the forefront of pro g on policies plementing and advisin Studying, developing, im resources is all ’s rld wo d protecting the an g gin na ma for ns pla and of environmental coolest bit? The number the d An rk. wo ’s day a in 800 by 2025, which grow from 28,600 to 30, scientists is expected to for STEM grads are epic! means the opportunities

E

So many of you!

In 2020 there were

28,600 environmen ta scientists employed l in Australia.

And yep – we still need more!

Study up

With Ear th and environmen tal sciences, there are so man y different pathways and careers to look into — climate science, mar ine biology, meteorolog y, atmospheric scie nce, volcanology and conser vation are just a few examples — so thin king ahead and get ting clue d up in a relevant field is important.

Year 11 and 12 science is a great foundation for any car eer scientist, but sticking with biology, che mistry, geology and environ mental studies electives are par ticular plus es when it comes to eco car eers.

Suss out undergraduate deg rees like a straight-up Bachelo r of Science with relevant majors like Ear th science or environmental science. And if you’re still keen to keep lear ning? Postgraduate degree s are also another way to knuckle down and soa k up your specialisation.

Totally natural

Naturally, when it comes to any eco STEM career, every day on the job is different!

Depending on which pathwa y you head down, you could be spending your 9-to-5 patrolling parks, digging up samples, studying the ocean or watching the weather.

Among the many things the average Ear th or environmental scientists cou ld be responsible for are:

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

• implementing advice to ens ure environmentally sustainable an future; • educating others about conservation practices and pol icies; • taking biodiversity inventory to inform environmental policy ; • studying current environm ental problems; • working toward sustainab ility goals.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

The list of employment opp ortunities for recent grads is just as long!

You could score a job with a uni, for a local or overseas industry, or with governmen t agencies such as the Bureau of Meteorolog y, ANSTO or CSIRO. Significantly above the averag e wage, an Ear th or environmental scie ntist’s weekly salary is around $1180. But the work they do?

Literally priceless! — Cassie Steel

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Fact or fiction?

Don’t know loads abou We sort the real from t earth or environmental scientists? the rumour and bust some eco career myth s

Fact You get to work outside!

Yep, jobs in Ear th and environmental science ofte n involve field trips, and so doe s study! If you end up working as a park ranger, par t of the gig would involve site maintenance and IRL checks. If you’re a geologist, collecting specimens from a beach or a volcano might be a par ticularly cool workday.

Fiction There’s only one type of environmental scientist!

Fiction You have to study Earth or environmental science at high school!

Not technically — to kickstart an eco-science pathway, there actually aren’t any prerequisites apart from maths. But would taking Earth and/or environmental science as an elective in Year 12 help? Absolutely! So would studying physics and chemistry. So check your preferred high school for all the science choices.

an Ear th or Er, nope. If you study to be could end up environmental scientist, you g planetitin doing a bunch of other exc : ude saving gigs. Roles incl

• Air pollution analysts • Botanists • Chemists • Ecologists • Environmental conservation officers • Environmental engineers rs • Environmental health office • Geophysicists • Land degradation analysts • Landcare workers • Life scientists • Water quality analysts

Yeah the girls!

Fiction

Although not totally equal (yet), we’re stoked to see that women are slowly creeping up in representatio n in th is field – 41% of Earth and environmental scien tists in Australia are women!

what you’re At uni, you have to decide specialising in right away

nd your thing yet! No Don’t stress if you haven’t fou you can totally change the pathway is too winding and any stage. If you’re still trajectory of your career at olling in a Bachelor of sussing out your options, enr tty open.

Science will keep things pre or environmental science You can always pick up Ear th ion is to change degrees opt r majors later on, while anothe s into a double. altogether or combine two fave

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EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS

REAL PEOPLE

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g n i l l a c n a e c o Growing up near a lush marine ecosystem inspired Ella Sinclair to pursue the science behind it all

ella sinclair research assistant

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ul ocean waters and marine iji is renowned for its beautif up with her family and life. It’s also where Ella grew long as she can remember, as hydrogeologist dad who, for nds. water on remote shallow isla worked to help locate bore ine mar her eye on a future in So it’s no surprise Ella has had from a young age. and environmental science field k in an industry or academic wor to is “My ultimate job ities mun com to k bac arch to give that uses marine science rese s. say she ,” nge climate cha that are heavily impacted by her (Biological Sciences) under nce Scie of r helo Bac With a s tem Sys tal men iron Env th and belt and her Honours in Ear right track. the on ’s she , QUT at ay erw und one, has been the recipient of not Ella , During her time at QUT S VRE been awarded the but two scholarships, having around and joining a 30-day cruise rad erg Scholarship as an und n, in The or.

Falk sel research ves the Great Barrier Reef aboard the of t par as ts spo 150 of only her final year, Ella nabbed one New to off d hea ’ll she re ship, whe New Colombo Plan Scholar hip. complete an industry interns to ths mon six for nia Caledo ugh ’s been exposed to thro QUT Ella says the opportunities she in the eer in marine science. Working have helped kickstart her car l hica grap geo noting Australia’s Pacific is a big plus, she says, s. ject pro future research advantage when it comes to International School, Suva, Fiji

Earth and environmental sciences are vital in obtaining a sustainable future” Ella is passionate about pro tecting the future and believe s the job opportunities are out there for others wanting to bring change. “I believe this career is becoming more in-demand now with climate change bein g such a large focus around the world,” she says.

“Earth and environmental scie nces are vital in creating a sustainable future. Industr ies that have the potential to influence the environment nee d to have an environmental or Ear th scientist on their team to monitor impact and be an advocate for environmental rights,” says Ella. – Pippa Duf fy

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), QUT

Research Assistant, QUT

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Student Intern, Schmidt Ocean Institute

New Colombo Fellow, QUT

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A day in the life of a…

GEOLOGIST

K

at works as a development geologist for an oil and gas company, mapp ing and modelling subsurfaces and fig uring out what’s happening underground. Think: gro undwater, hydrocarbon s and minerals, along with bu ilding stats and modellin g on her findings. She also get s the chance to explore new areas like ‘clean fuels’ an d carbon capture storag e. But Kat says that while fieldw ork is lots of fun and off ers va luable hands-on experi ence, she likes that there’s also the chance to work in the cit y.

After a year of working a 2:2 roster (two weeks on site, two weeks off ), Kat now works a ‘normal’ Monday-to-Friday office schedu le. – Pippa Duffy

We have regular team meetings where sicists geologists, geophyne s and reservoir engi er discuss projects”

ct Student Intern, Xstra Mining Consultants

pical day Here’s what a ty looks like…

6:30am before work (not

ience Master of Applied ,Sc (Earth Science) QUT

Gr aduate Geologist

Kat Gioseffi’s love of science goes back to testing the pH levels in her family’s pool with an at-home chemistry kit

e gym Wake up and hit th n wins). ooze’ button ofte ‘sn going to lie – the

8:00am

I will I am being good, Walk to work – if , me ho ld brew at have prepped a co at th fé a local ca otherwise I have . to te via I often de

9:00 am

rning team We have regular mo ologists, meetings where ge servoir re d an s ist sic geophy projects. These engineers discuss nity to raise any are a great opportu ents gather ideas/comm d issues we have an nds. from a host of mi ree to generally lasts th ct oje A work pr what at g kin involves loo six months. This e area, th in d ille dr been wells have already been oductive they have identifying how pr ta da that d processing the and compiling an . has been collected

1:00pm

the morning.

Keep up the project work from meeting ject Once a week, I will have a pro king on wor is t with the immediate team tha nt ere diff in t the same field as me (bu thly disciplines) and we have mon re different whe s inar sem e department-wid updates. ll sma give s ines bus areas of the

5:00pm

kstation!

Time to power down my wor e fellow som with ball net play I might up with grads, go bouldering, catch event stry friends, attend an indu love I l. chil to or just head home ts. to cook most nigh

12:00pm

the rally try to get to Lunch time! I gene es me giv d an k up my day gym. It helps brea n. oo rn r the afte an energy burst fo

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Bachelor of Science (Earth Science), QUT

PHOTO CREDIT: CERVANTES FENG (CFENGPHOTOGRAPHY) / SHUTTERSTOCK

ally by checking Start work, norm ually have my emails. We us reports to go a number of daily a game plan ke over. Then I ma for my day.

Student Intern, Schlumberger

8:30am

EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS

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Get the job!

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Fill your feed Double-tap these socials to fill your feed with inspo ​ AusEarthEd @ If Earth science is your calling, say hello to hours of mindful scrolling. The acc ount’s goal? To improve the quality of Earth sciences and STEM education for all!

Ready to dig deep into an Earth or environmental science caree r? Start here

@ecoheffa Keen for bite-sized enviro scie nce careers info? These fun vide os will get you clued up — and fast ! @CNZdenek Follow biologist, toxicologist and lab manager Christina for all things eco science. Her other passion? Snakes!

So much reptile candy to retw eet.

For ultimate mentor goals,

chris turney

look these people up on Lin

kedIn:

l? To t: Chris’s ultimate career goa Chris Turney, Earth scientis changes tal men iron anding of how env improve the planet’s underst are affecting the Earth! rocks — they t: To Holly, rocks aren’t just Holly Cooke, geolog y studen the richness and erst und that help geologists keep billion-year-old secrets l world. and complexity of the natura rested in how tonic geologist: Alan is inte Professor Alan Collins, tec th surface Ear ed ern controlled and gov the evolution of the planet has ! too y, and career pathwa systems. Such an epic study

holly cooke

In your ear Let your airpods do the talk ing /job-hunting Sustainababble: Wow, a ded icated environmental science podcas t that’ll legit make you laugh! Learn — and LOL — about the environment, sustainability and how the heck we can get out of this mess.

professor alan collins

Pale Blue Dot: Hosted by QUT ’s Dr David Flanner y and Dr Luke Nothdu rft, and featuring a bunch of leading scientists.

Expect scientific knowhow on exoplanet killers and fossil turds!

Climate Cash: Over three eps , WWFAustralia’s then-conservation director Dr Gilly Llewellyn speaks with business, government and community experts about how climate change impacts are threatening the Pacific. So hea vy — but important, too!

ecklist Electives ch l electives?

h schoo Choosing hig ts will set you up ec bj su e es h T g in science. for an eco gi Biology ✔ Maths ✔ ✔ Geology s ental studie ✔ Environm ts ec bj su ce ✔ Any scien

dr gilly llewellyn Careers with STEM is a publication and trademark of Refraction Media.

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This edition was published on 2 June, 2022.

WORDS: CASSIE STEEL / PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK

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