A geologist is someone who studies the Earth and the processes which shape it. This field, as one might imagine, is incredibly varied, and geologists can be found working in a large number of subsets within the larger field of geology. People who like the sciences and enjoy being outdoors may find geology an interesting and rewarding career, especially if they are willing to apply themselves to a sometimes extensive field of study. Employment prospects in this field vary, depending on the qualifications and interests of a geologist.
Geology is an incredibly large field. Geologists look at all of the materials which make up the Earth, studying the ways in which they are formed and altered. The field often requires the mingling of scientific disciplines, so a geologist may also be familiar with chemistry, mathematics, physics, geography, engineering, hydrology, environmental studies, urban planning, paleontology, biology, and mineralogy. In the course of his or her work, a geologist learns more about the Earth and the ways in which it can be safely and effectively utilized by humans.
Many geologists find employment in fields which are focused on extracting useful resources from the Earth. Geologists are often sent to various sites around the world to assess their contents, determining whether or not they can be productively mined for valuable substances ranging from garnets to coal. They also work in the petroleum industry, assessing potential oil sites and assisting with their maintenance.
Other geologists are focused on the history of the Earth, using the geologic record to determine how the Earth was formed and how it continues to be shaped. These geologists look at a wide range of things from marine sediments to volcanoes to learn more about the processes of the Earth, and they can also be found working on archaeological sites, filling in the fossil record in the hopes of learning more about life on Earth.
Specialists in this field can also do things like assessing land to determine whether or not it can be safely built on. A geologist may also look at the environmental repercussions of major construction or human activity on a piece of land, and geologists are often called in when major geologic events like earthquakes occur, to learn more about the event and ways in which future events could possibly be predicted.
A geologist doesn't just have to work on Earth. Planetary geologists study the geology of other planets and materials throughout the universe, hoping to learn more about how the universe was created and perhaps discovering evidence of other life forms along the way. The study of planetary geology also includes a healthy dose of things like physics and astronomy, and it can be a particularly interesting field.