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Career Exploration

Hydrologists

Also called: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Research Hydrologist

What they do:

Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.

On the job, you would:
  • Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
  • Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
  • Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • computers and electronics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Achievement/Effort

Analytical or scientific software

  • Data visualization software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Presentation software

  • EnviroInsite
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Structure query language SQL

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $85,990

Education

Master's degree or bachelor's degree is usually needed.