Attitudinal and Economic Realities in a Global Geoscience

Attitudinal and Economic Realities in a Global Geoscience Workforce Christopher M. Keane P. Patrick Leahy Cynthia Martinez American Geological Institute 22 September 2008

Where we are today… 50% of geoscience highest degree earners do NOT work as geoscientists 50% of working geoscientists do NOT have their highest degree in geosciences Functionally Rapid no unemployment of MS & Ph. D. s new hire demand Employer dissatisfaction with new hires

0 Year 2007 2005 2003 2001 1999 1997 1995 1993 1991 1989 1987 1985 1983 1981 1979 1977 1975 1973 1971 1969 1967 1965 1963 1961 1959 1957 1955 Students The Enrollment Rollercoaster 1955 -2007 40000 35000 30000 Undergraduate 25000 20000 15000 10000 Graduate 5000

Newly Minted Geoscientists 1973 -2007 8000 7000 5000 4000 Bachelor's 3000 2000 Master's 1000 2007 2005 2003 2001 1999 1997 1995 1991 1987 1985 1983 1981 1979 1977 1975 1989 Year 1993 Doctorate 0 1973 Degrees Awarded 6000

Female Geoscience Enrollment and Degrees 1974 -2004 50 45 40 Percent Female Enrolled 35 30 Graduated 25 20 15 10 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 Year

US Geoscience Employment 1986 Other Retired/Unemployed 5% 10% Environmental 7% Academic 7% Government 12% Mining 9% Petroleum 50% 2005 Government 18% Petroleum 43% Academia 17% Exec. Management 1% Environmental 8% Other Services 1% Mining 12% NSF/AGI/BLS

H h ig K 2 -1 C Te ch on B u tin si ne ue ss Ed uc O at ut io si n de of G Oth eo e sc r ie nc e al er En en G al oc Fe de vi ra ro nm l en ta l M in Pe ing tr ol eu m A ca de m ia e/ L at St Intention Rate Student Attitudes and Careers 2005 100% 90% 80% 70% Student Advisor 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% AGI

Student Interest vs. Opportunity Hostility towards private sector Source of bulk of opportunities “Environmental Awareness” Student interest declines precipitously Preference for government Little to no hiring growth 29% of students intend to look at “non- traditional” careers

Mean Salaries 2005 Geologists Petroleum Mining Finance Consulting Academia Government Federal State Local $107 K $69 K $84 K $68 K $58 K Hydrologists Consulting $65 K Academia $57 K Government Federal State Local $75 K $52 K $63 K $86 K $51 K $62 K BLS

What about these BS New Hires? Substantial hiring of new geology/env. science BS recipients What are their REAL future prospects? Professional geoscientist? Starbucks Barista? Wal-Mart Greeter? Is the profession serving them honestly?

Contrast to the International Environment Australia: Year 3 students being recruited for the mining industry UK: Stratification of geoscience programs as either vocational or doctoral destined Southeast Asia: Concerns about geologic concept mastery (language issue) Ex-Anglo Countries: Concerns about risk assessment and business sense.

Global Talent Needs EUROPEAN EMPLOYERS Geographic mobility Cultural adaptability English language is a must Strong field geology training Capacity of synthesis of multi sources data Mastering modeling tools MAJOR US OIL COMPANY English communications skills Broad foundation in science & math Networking skills Innovation & invention Cultural breadth Capacity of quick interpretation of field Aptitude to management of field teams Experience of project management J. Varet, 33 IGC

US Departmental Inbalance? There are 602 BS-granting geo departments Physics has fewer than 300…. Chemistry has 1100… Average of <5 grads per year per department There are 379 MS-granting geo departments 75% of MS degrees come from 10 programs Average of 1 grad per year per department There are 268 Ph. D. -granting geo departments 58% of new Ph. D. s go into a Post Doc…. Average of 1 grad per year per department

Top Students, Smart Choices Top students choose certainty Medicine, Law, and Business ~17% STEM BS grads go to professional school High entrance requirements Fixed exit from graduate school High completion rate High economic return Science & Engineering ~10% STEM BS grads continue in STEM areas Lower entrance requirements Vague completion timeframe Low graduation rates Unattractive earning potential Zumeta & Raveling, 2002

Race and Gender – the future? Gender Females now dominate at the university Geoscience second at attracting women Industry discontinuing female preferences Race Minorities tend not to move for college Few geo programs near minority areas Most come through Community Colleges Lack of cultural continuity

China to the Rescue? Rhetoric of 400, 000+ geoscientists in China Major disconnect in definition “Geoscientist” includes any profession that deals with the Earth’s surface (ie civil engineering, land planning, etc. ) Best estimate is China produces half the level of geoscientists as the US Chinese domestic perception is of low quantity and quality production

Why Do Students Choose a Field? 1. 2. 3. Self-Efficacy Work towards tangible success Make the class attractive and applied Outcome Expectations Promote rewards of the success Social & Intellectual Standing Interest Align with interests and currency Be innovative Make success attainable Akbulut & Looney, ACM Communications, October 2007

Global Academic Quandry US: Academia changes one funeral at a time Developing nations: Too few excellent teachers, scarce materials, language issues Former Colonies: Post-colonial exodus of talent to their prior colonial masters Hyper-variable earnings level of faculty worldwide

Academic Salary Dilemma Dirks 2008

Conclusions US Students are not aligning well with private sector needs Overseas supply has issues Overseas, the discipline’s lifecycle appears at risk Need to evolve the culture of geoscience Better fit academia with the “real world” Better recognition by society at-large