Human Resources in the Geosciences

The proposed paper will review human resources trends in the geosciences within the context of the changing U.S. population. Of the more than 1.4 million bachelor's degrees and 586,029 master's degrees awarded in 2006, a small fraction, 0.3 percent, were awarded in the geosciences at each level. Degrees in the geosciences accounted for a slightly higher percentage (1 percent) of the 55,853 doctoral degrees. At the same time, many employers have indicated a need for more graduates in the geosciences to meet pressing energy needs. Employers are also interested in increasing the diversity of the field, as global economic competition for talent and new ideas becomes increasingly important. As shown in the chart, below, less than 10 percent of all geosciences degrees at all three degree levels in 2006 were earned by persons of color. In addition, women's share of geosciences degrees is much smaller at the doctoral level in contrast to their presence at the bachelor's and master's levels. This paper will provide an overview of the trends in degrees, employment and wages in the geosciences with special attention to the issues of gender and ethnic diversity in the field.