High School

You will need at least an associate's degree if you are considering a career as a geological technician and hope to advance into supervisory positions, so it is important to begin your preparation in high school.

Courses in geology, geography, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and statistics, are all recommended. Drafting courses can teach important mapmaking skills, and courses in computer-aided design are useful since many companies now design maps using computer software. Additionally, courses in English and speech will help you develop the communication skills necessary for writing reports and serving as a liaison between geologists and field crews.

Postsecondary Training

An associate's degree in geology, geosciences, petroleum technology, engineering technology, or a similar field of study is the minimum requirement for finding a job, particularly in the increasingly competitive oil and gas industry. A bachelor of science degree, with an emphasis in geology, advanced mathematics, geographic information systems, and drafting, is recommended.

Technicians also receive on-the-job training in which they obtain hands-on experience using computer modeling and mapping software and field and laboratory equipment. Training programs typically last from a few months to two years.

Other Education or Training

The Geological Society of America offers short courses, training workshops, field trips, seminars, internships, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Sessions at its annual meeting have included Environmental Impacts of Coal Utilization and Geophysical Investigations of Geological Hazards. The American Geophysical Union and the Association for Women Geoscientists also provide CE opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for geological technicians.

Internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs at an oil or gas company or environmental engineering firm will provide useful experience to aspiring geological technicians

Successful geological technicians are detail-oriented and have excellent time management and organizational skills. Drilling for oil, for example, can be a costly and time-consuming venture. Competence in interpreting data is crucial because oil companies and other employers rely heavily on the accuracy of information reported by their geological technicians.