“Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~Roy T. Bennett
GeoPhysicist - Part 2
By C. Clark & ChatGPT(AI)
Note: Let me first say, please excuse my grammar. I do a lot of journal writing and I don’t worry about punctuation and such. I will work on my grammar as I go along but for now I didn’t want that to deter me from starting. Yes, there is Grammarly but I want to write in my voice/tone.
Introduction
I decided to start with Geophysics. The Career/Career Change books I’ve read, tend to advise me to pay attention to things that give me energy and to look at things I liked when I was younger. It will also be nice to finally see where my interest in Electromagnetic Energy takes me.
A geophysicist is a scientist who studies the Earth’s physical properties and processes, both on the surface and deep within the subsurface. They use various methods, including seismic surveys, gravity measurements, and magnetic field measurements, to explore for natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals, and to understand geological hazards like earthquakes and volcanic activity.
The only thing in that description that looks interesting, to me, is “magnetic field measurements”, however, the reasons to explore are not that interesting. I have no interest in oil, gas and minerals. Geological hazards like earthquakes and volcanic activity may be of some interest. Either way, I will continue, maybe there is an area of interest that no one has thought of yet.
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CAREER CHANGE
What Looks Of Interest To Me
I need to remind myself that I’m not writing a paper on Geophysics. At this point I don’t need to know everything about the subject but rather I’m looking for where I may find what interests me about this field, where my interest lies. In looking at a more detailed description, “research and development” looks of interest. Some geophysicists focus on research, advancing our understanding of the Earth’s interior, its evolution, and the forces that shape it. Now that’s more to my liking.
As far as the skill set needed, these are the areas that are intriguing to me…
- Strong scientific background: Geophysicists need a solid foundation in physics, mathematics, geology, and related sciences.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills: Geophysicists must be able to interpret data, identify patterns, and solve complex problems
- Data analysis and interpretation skills: Geophysicists use specialized software and techniques to analyze geophysical data and create 3D models.
So it looks like to do this type of work, research institutions and universities are where I need to look for employment. There is the idea of doing something on my own, but what and how would I make a living?
Note: At one time I wanted to find a job in the Film Industry doing 3D graphics. If this interest still remains, maybe I can do my 3D programming in this field?
School, Courses or Can I Go Forward and Look For Work?
With my Mathematics degrees and my almost 30 years of experience I’m wondering if it is necessary to have to go back to school. I like the information ChatGPT (and Gemini) provides, so I will be using them a lot. I asked this question on ChatGPT and it looks like I can go forward and look for work.
Here is ChatGPT’s response:
🔍 What Does a Geophysicist Do?
Geophysicists study the physical properties of the Earth using principles from:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Geology
- Computer Science (for simulations, modeling, and data analysis)
They may work in fields like:
- Earthquake and volcano monitoring
- Natural resource exploration (oil, gas, minerals, groundwater)
- Environmental consulting
- Climate and ocean studies
- Space weather (e.g., magnetic fields, gravity studies)
✅ Your Strengths Aligned to the Field
You already have:
- ✅ Mathematics background — core to geophysics modeling, wave theory, signal processing.
- ✅ Software engineering skills — invaluable for simulations, seismic data interpretation, MATLAB, Python, GIS.
- ✅ ✅ ✅ A research and analytical mindset — absolutely key in interpreting scientific data.
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Since I am focusing of “research and development” and I am going to note ChatGPT’s response in that area:
If you’re aiming for a government agency or research lab:
- You may be able to enter through a STEM umbrella role and transition from there.
Some agencies will hire based on strong mathematical and computational skills if you show a strong interest and some relevant experience.
Suggested Next Steps Without Committing to a Full Degree
👣 Suggested Next Steps Without Committing to a Full Degree:
- Take one or two targeted online courses to build domain knowledge.
- Platforms: Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, Stanford Online.
- Examples:
- “Geophysical Methods for Exploration” (edX)
- “Introduction to Geophysics” (Coursera)
- MIT OpenCourseWare – Earth & Planetary Sciences
- Look into certifications or short programs:
- Geophysics Certificate (some universities offer 1-year certificates)
- Geological software/tools (ArcGIS, Petrel, MATLAB for Earth sciences)
- Join a professional association:
- Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- They have job boards, networking, training, and even mentoring.
- Apply for hybrid roles:
- Geoscience + Data roles
- Scientific Programmer in Earth Science
- Research Assistant in environmental or Earth research institutes
💡 Summary:
- You don’t have to go back to school for a full degree.
You should consider taking 1–2 courses to speak the language of the field and fill knowledge gaps. - You are already well-positioned for data/modeling roles in geoscience with your Math + Software background.
A pivot into geophysics is realistic with the right framing and some niche learning.
Good Place to Start Networking and/or Looking For Work
Career paths for individuals with a degree in geology are varied, with many graduates finding roles within professional societies, institutes, and organisations dedicated to the earth sciences.
Membership in a geological society enhances networking and professional development, thereby increasing employment prospects.
Opportunities include:
- Geological Society of London
- International Union of Geological Sciences
- National geological research institutes
In Conclusion
This is a lot of information and, unfortunately, where I tend to stop. I usually feel overwhelmed by the lot of information and don’t know how to proceed. It feels like writing things down and formatting it in a way that is easy to reread… will be helpful. I can take each section and elaborate on it, or go straight to section V. and take some classes while looking for some work.
I think I will start with taking a course. Here’s the thing I found out about courses, at least for me, sometimes the teacher makes the course so boring that I’m left wondering if that is how the field is altogether.
Photos from Unsplash