Atmospheric Scientists

What’s the weather for tomorrow? You’ll make it your business to find out. Atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere—the blanket of air surrounding the earth. Commonly called meteorologists, atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere’s physical characteristics, motions, and processes, and the way it affects the rest of our environment. Although the most widely known application of this study is in forecasting the weather, meteorologists also apply their knowledge to air pollution control, agriculture, air and sea transportation, defense, and the study of trends in global climate, such as drought, storms, or global warming.

Operational meteorologists study the weather. Physical meteorologists study the atmosphere’s chemical and physical properties. Synoptic meteorologists develop new tools for weather forecasting using computers and sophisticated mathematical models. Climatologists collect, analyze, and interpret past records of wind, rainfall, sunshine, and temperature in specific areas or regions.

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Geologists

You see possibilities. Not with crystal balls, tarot cards, or palm-reading—your source of information is the earth. Geologists study the earth’s structure to understand its behavior—and to discover treasure. They look at its composition, processes, and history. They try to find out how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since formation. They also study the evolution of life by analyzing plant and animal fossils. Geologists, along with geophysicists and oceanographers, use their knowledge to locate water, mineral, and energy resources; protect the environment; forecast geologic hazards; and offer expert advice on construction and land use projects.

Computer skills are essential in this career. Students who have some experience with computer modeling, data analysis and integration, digital mapping, remote sensing, and GIS will be the most prepared entering the job market.

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Conservation Scientists and Foresters

You hold the scales. And when the issue is good economics versus preserving the earth, your job is to find the right balance. Conservation scientists and foresters manage, develop, use, and help protect forests, rangelands, and other natural resources. Foresters appraise the timber’s worth, negotiate its purchase and procurement, and oversee tree removal.

Range managers manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without damaging the environment. Soil conservationists provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, state and local governments, and others concerned with the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.

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Mining Engineers

Mining engineers are responsible for the safe, economical, and environmentally sound operation of mines. Some mining engineers work with geologists and metallurgical engineers to locate and appraise new ore deposits. Others develop new mining equipment or direct mineral processing operations to separate minerals from thewaste materials with which they are mixed. Mining engineers frequently specialize in one commodity, such as coal or gold. Many mining engineers work to solve problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution.

Mining engineers use computers to produce and analyze designs; to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system operates; and to generate specifications for parts. Many also use computers to monitor product quality and control process efficiency.

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Chemists

Chemical research has led to new and improved synthetic fibers, cosmetics, electronic components, and thousands of other products. Chemists develop processes that save energy and reduce pollution. Their research spurs advances in medicine, agriculture, food processing, and other fields. Many chemists work in research and development. They investigate properties, composition, and structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and reactions of substances.

Chemists often specialize in a subfield, including analysis, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Computers are essential to this career—not only for analyzing complex data and simulating combinatorial chemistry, but also for operating computerized laboratory equipment.

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Oil and Gas Extraction

Oil and natural gas furnish about three-fourths of the world’s energy needs. In addition, they provide the raw materials for plastics, chemicals, medicines, fertilizers, and synthetic fibers. Because oil and gas are difficult to locate, exploration and drilling are key activities in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Advances in computer technology have increased the productivity of exploration. Computers and sophisticated software analyze seismic data to provide 3D models of subsurface rock formations. This technique lowers the risk involved in exploring for oil by enabling explorationists to locate and identify structural oil and gas reservoirs and the best locations to drill.

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Petroleum Engineers

Petroleum engineers search the world for reservoirs containing oil or natural gas. They work with geologists and other specialists to understand the geologic setting and properties of the rock containing the reservoir, determine the drilling methods to be used, and monitor drilling and production operations. They design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas, often using computer models to simulate reservoir performance using different recovery techniques. Petroleum engineers work around the world, and many employers seek U.S.-trained petroleum engineers for jobs in other countries.

Autodesk software you’re likely to use in this career includes AutoCAD, AutoCAD Land Desktop, AutoCAD Map 3D, Autodesk Inventor Routed Systems Suite, Autodesk Inventor Simulation Suite, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Buzzsaw, Autodesk Design Review, and AutoCAD Raster Design.

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Physicists and Astronomers

Immersed in a world of theory and dynamic changes, physicists are investigators by nature. They explore basic principles governing the structure and behavior of matter, the generation and transfer of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Physicists use these principles to theorize about the nature of time and the origin of the universe; others apply their physics knowledge to important practical issues, such as the development and miniaturization of electronic and optical devices and medical equipment.

Physicists explore and exploit the laws describing the forces of nature, such as magnetism and nuclear interactions. Astronomers study the fundamental nature of the universe, including the sun, planets, stars, space, and galaxies. They also apply their knowledge to solve problems in navigation, space flight, and satellite communications and to develop the tools and techniques to observe and collect astronomical data.

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Surveyors, Cartographers, Photogrammetrists, and Surveying Technicians

Put the world on a map so all of us can see it! Measuring and mapping the earth’s surface is the responsibility of several different types of workers. Traditional land surveyors establish official land, air space, and water boundaries. Other surveyors provide data relevant to the shape, contour, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features. Surveying technicians assist land surveyors by operating survey instruments and collecting information. Cartographers compile geographic, political, and cultural information and prepare maps of large areas.

Advances in technology in this field include new earth resources data satellites, improved aerial photography, and GIS. The geographic information specialist combines the functions of mapping science and surveying into a broader field concerned with the collection and analysis of geographic information.

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Social Scientists

If you’re intrigued by human behavior, this field offers enormous opportunity for you. Social scientists study all aspects of society—from past events and achievements to current human relationships. Their research provides insights that help us understand different ways in which individuals and groups make decisions, exercise power, and respond to change. Through their work, social scientists suggest insightful solutions to social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental problems.

Research is a major activity for many social scientists and often involves living and working among the population being studied, laboratory experiments with human or animal subjects, and preparation and interpretation of maps and computer graphics. Specific careers in this area include anthropologists, historians, sociologists, and political scientists.

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