GEOCOMMUNICATION AS A CREATIVE AND IMPACTFUL CAREER

Transitioning from school to an early career can be challenging, especially for those who have not found a field that inspires them. An interest in pursuing knowledge may take some into academia, but a research career is not the only option for geoscientists who seek to learn and share information. The field of geoscience communication, known aptly as geocommunication, is broad and diverse in topics of focus, mediums, and applied skill sets. Geocommunicators play a crucial role in society due to their expertise in subject matter, such as natural hazards and critical materials, and their ability to effectively convey such information. For some, geocommunication can be a gateway to establishing a career in specific disciplines. For others, it can be a career on its own. The many routes of breaking into the field include journalism, social media, and presenting academic research. For those interested in geocommunication, the best way to thrive in the field is to focus on your primary interests and reach out to other communicators to establish a foundation and grow your network. Ethan Penner and Cate Larsen, known in the geocommunication realm as Rock Man Ethan and Groovy Geologist, used these same methods to create meaningful geoscience content. By breaking down research and breaking open rocks, they developed followings ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions. In addition, many industry, consulting, academic, and government jobs are available to early career professionals. Students and early career professionals should continue developing their capabilities in geology after leaving school, especially if there is significant time between school and employment. Faculty can greatly help their students explore opportunities through further teaching of valuable skills and providing platforms on which students can connect with employers and innovators.