Careers and stakeholders
Earth Science professional specialised in the collection of geological data and the assessment and management of geological and environmental risks
Job functions:
- analysis, management, summarising and processing of geological and geognostic data;
- conceptualisation of geological-technical models for the characterisation of soil and subsoil;
- planning and technical coordination of geological interventions;
- planning and design of geognostic investigations on the field and in the lab for the characterisation of geological materials;
- design of geological and environmental monitoring systems for determining hazard and risk scenarios, particularly as regards the interactions of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere;
- planning of geological interventions for managing and protecting the landscape, its resources and the urban fabric in geological and hydro-geological hazard and risk scenarios, also for civil protection purposes;
- management and protection of underground water resources;
- collection and interpretation of data regarding environmental matrices, using modern technologies and risk analysis;
- planning of environmental rehabilitation interventions.
Graduates in Earth Sciences can register with the Italian National Council of Geologists (Section A), after passing the corresponding State Exam.
Professional skills:
A general knowledge of Earth sciences topics; ability to collect and organise direct and indirect geological data; ability to identify problematic issues based on their knowledge of geological processes; ability to define geological problems, including the more complex ones; ability to interact with other professionals for different geological applications; ability to plan specific investigations for land protection and land management purposes; ability to collect data from field and lab tests for the characterisation of geological materials (soils, rocks, water); ability to draft and edit technical-geological maps, geomorphological maps, and geothematic maps (both numerical and traditional) to summarise the physical and mechanical properties of soils, lands, and rock masses; familiarity with analysis and numerical modelling methods to determine interactions between engineering structures and natural systems; knowledge of geological, photogrammetric and geomorphological survey techniques, as well as of methods based on Quaternary deposits, to produce technical maps; knowledge of digital cartography methods based on GIS and remote sensing data, and on the use of geospatial statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, with a focus on landslide susceptibility, aquifer vulnerability, and the geomorphological evolution of the territory; knowledge of numerical modelling methods to reconstruct evolutionary scenarios involving the hydrosphere and lithosphere, and their interactions with anthropic activities and the biosphere; knowledge of geological methods for the characterisation and monitoring of polluted sites, as well as hydro-geological methods for their restoration; knowledge of methods and tools to assess soil, ground and slope stability.
Career opportunities:
These professionals work for local and national public administrations dealing with land management (also in top-management roles), for research centres of different kinds (also in coordination roles), as well as for private companies involved in the management of the landscape and its resources. More specifically, potential employers include: environmental and civil protection agencies, local bodies and water resources management companies; companies providing environmental monitoring and environmental rehabilitation services; civil engineering firms, environmental restoration and environmental safety companies; insurance firms and companies specialising in environmental damage assessments.
Graduates of the Master's degree in Earth Sciences can work as employees of public and private organisations, but also as freelancers. In any case, they may always decide to further expand their professional knowledge and skills by pursuing a doctorate.
Earth Science professional specialised in the collection of geological data for the study and modelling of geological processes
Job function:
- planning and technical coordination of geological interventions;
- open air, underground and offshore extraction activities;
- analysis, management, summarising and processing of geological and geomineral data;
- planning of activities to find, map, assess and manage georesources (including natural and artificial construction materials, industrial minerals, stone materials, ornamental stones, metallic minerals);
- planning of geological, palaeontological and geomorphological activities for the protection, characterisation, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage products;
- modelling of minerogenetic, petrogenetic and geodynamic processes;
- conceptualisation of geological models for the characterisation of soil, water resources and minerals, with a focus on liquid and gas deposits, and the investigation of processes governing the formation, distribution and accumulation of geomaterials and georesources;
- research into the effects of present and past climate changes on the evolution of the Earth systems and georesources;
- collection and integration of subsoil data and/or remote sensing data for thematic cartography;
- lab work for the characterisation and diagnostics of geomaterials and their synthetic analogues, including the characterisation of natural raw materials in production processes.
Graduates in Earth Sciences can register with the Italian National Council of Geologists (Section A), after passing the corresponding State Exam.
Professional skills:
A general knowledge of Earth sciences topics; ability to collect and organise direct and indirect geological data; ability to identify problematic issues based on their knowledge of geological processes; ability to define geological problems, including the more complex ones; ability to interact with other professionals for different geological applications; knowledge of data representation methods and tools used in geothematic cartography; proficiency with digital technologies, remote sensing devices and GIS systems to perform geospatial analysis, including by using machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, as well as to produce digital maps to support land planning and management, as well as for the characterisation and preservation of georesources and the geological, mineral, palaeontological, geomorphological, geoarchaeological and geopedological heritage (such as geoparks and protected areas); knowledge of the basic concepts and tools of geological diagnostics for the exploration, assessment, management and optimisation of natural resources (including geothermal low and high enthalpy resources), also in light of the energy transition; familiarity with analytical methods for the characterisation and certification of geomaterials and their synthetic analogues (including dangerous ones).
Career opportunities:
Graduates will be able to work for private companies treating natural and synthetic geomaterials for various applications in land management (possibly even as head of laboratories of mineralogy, petrography, sedimentology, palaeontology, geochemistry or geotechnics). Alternatively, they could work for local and national public bodies dealing with the characterisation of natural materials and their synthetic analogues for civil applications. The energy sector also provides for interesting career prospects, both in the field of exploration and production. Medium and large enterprises (oil companies, geophysical and geological service providers, mining research companies) usually hire these professionals as specialised technicians (with expertise in different areas of geology) or in management roles. Another possibility is to work with private companies engaged in scientific communication and collaborating with news publishers. Furthermore, graduates who have earned enough credits in certain subject areas may take admission tests for training courses for secondary school teaching, pursuant to the laws in force.
Graduates of the Master's degree in Earth Sciences can work as employees of public and private organisations, but also as freelancers. In any case, they may always decide to further expand their professional knowledge and skills by pursuing a doctorate.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Job functions:
- analysis, management, summarising and processing of geological and geognostic data;
- conceptualisation of geological-technical models for the characterisation of soil and subsoil;
- planning and technical coordination of geological interventions;
- planning and design of geognostic investigations on the field and in the lab for the characterisation of geological materials;
- design of geological and environmental monitoring systems for determining hazard and risk scenarios, particularly as regards the interactions of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere;
- planning of geological interventions for managing and protecting the landscape, its resources and the urban fabric in geological and hydro-geological hazard and risk scenarios, also for civil protection purposes;
- management and protection of underground water resources;
- collection and interpretation of data regarding environmental matrices, using modern technologies and risk analysis;
- planning of environmental rehabilitation interventions.
Graduates in Earth Sciences can register with the Italian National Council of Geologists (Section A), after passing the corresponding State Exam.
Professional skills:
A general knowledge of Earth sciences topics; ability to collect and organise direct and indirect geological data; ability to identify problematic issues based on their knowledge of geological processes; ability to define geological problems, including the more complex ones; ability to interact with other professionals for different geological applications; ability to plan specific investigations for land protection and land management purposes; ability to collect data from field and lab tests for the characterisation of geological materials (soils, rocks, water); ability to draft and edit technical-geological maps, geomorphological maps, and geothematic maps (both numerical and traditional) to summarise the physical and mechanical properties of soils, lands, and rock masses; familiarity with analysis and numerical modelling methods to determine interactions between engineering structures and natural systems; knowledge of geological, photogrammetric and geomorphological survey techniques, as well as of methods based on Quaternary deposits, to produce technical maps; knowledge of digital cartography methods based on GIS and remote sensing data, and on the use of geospatial statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, with a focus on landslide susceptibility, aquifer vulnerability, and the geomorphological evolution of the territory; knowledge of numerical modelling methods to reconstruct evolutionary scenarios involving the hydrosphere and lithosphere, and their interactions with anthropic activities and the biosphere; knowledge of geological methods for the characterisation and monitoring of polluted sites, as well as hydro-geological methods for their restoration; knowledge of methods and tools to assess soil, ground and slope stability.
Career opportunities:
These professionals work for local and national public administrations dealing with land management (also in top-management roles), for research centres of different kinds (also in coordination roles), as well as for private companies involved in the management of the landscape and its resources. More specifically, potential employers include: environmental and civil protection agencies, local bodies and water resources management companies; companies providing environmental monitoring and environmental rehabilitation services; civil engineering firms, environmental restoration and environmental safety companies; insurance firms and companies specialising in environmental damage assessments.
Graduates of the Master's degree in Earth Sciences can work as employees of public and private organisations, but also as freelancers. In any case, they may always decide to further expand their professional knowledge and skills by pursuing a doctorate.
Earth Science professional specialised in the collection of geological data for the study and modelling of geological processes
Job function:
- planning and technical coordination of geological interventions;
- open air, underground and offshore extraction activities;
- analysis, management, summarising and processing of geological and geomineral data;
- planning of activities to find, map, assess and manage georesources (including natural and artificial construction materials, industrial minerals, stone materials, ornamental stones, metallic minerals);
- planning of geological, palaeontological and geomorphological activities for the protection, characterisation, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage products;
- modelling of minerogenetic, petrogenetic and geodynamic processes;
- conceptualisation of geological models for the characterisation of soil, water resources and minerals, with a focus on liquid and gas deposits, and the investigation of processes governing the formation, distribution and accumulation of geomaterials and georesources;
- research into the effects of present and past climate changes on the evolution of the Earth systems and georesources;
- collection and integration of subsoil data and/or remote sensing data for thematic cartography;
- lab work for the characterisation and diagnostics of geomaterials and their synthetic analogues, including the characterisation of natural raw materials in production processes.
Graduates in Earth Sciences can register with the Italian National Council of Geologists (Section A), after passing the corresponding State Exam.
Professional skills:
A general knowledge of Earth sciences topics; ability to collect and organise direct and indirect geological data; ability to identify problematic issues based on their knowledge of geological processes; ability to define geological problems, including the more complex ones; ability to interact with other professionals for different geological applications; knowledge of data representation methods and tools used in geothematic cartography; proficiency with digital technologies, remote sensing devices and GIS systems to perform geospatial analysis, including by using machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, as well as to produce digital maps to support land planning and management, as well as for the characterisation and preservation of georesources and the geological, mineral, palaeontological, geomorphological, geoarchaeological and geopedological heritage (such as geoparks and protected areas); knowledge of the basic concepts and tools of geological diagnostics for the exploration, assessment, management and optimisation of natural resources (including geothermal low and high enthalpy resources), also in light of the energy transition; familiarity with analytical methods for the characterisation and certification of geomaterials and their synthetic analogues (including dangerous ones).
Career opportunities:
Graduates will be able to work for private companies treating natural and synthetic geomaterials for various applications in land management (possibly even as head of laboratories of mineralogy, petrography, sedimentology, palaeontology, geochemistry or geotechnics). Alternatively, they could work for local and national public bodies dealing with the characterisation of natural materials and their synthetic analogues for civil applications. The energy sector also provides for interesting career prospects, both in the field of exploration and production. Medium and large enterprises (oil companies, geophysical and geological service providers, mining research companies) usually hire these professionals as specialised technicians (with expertise in different areas of geology) or in management roles. Another possibility is to work with private companies engaged in scientific communication and collaborating with news publishers. Furthermore, graduates who have earned enough credits in certain subject areas may take admission tests for training courses for secondary school teaching, pursuant to the laws in force.
Graduates of the Master's degree in Earth Sciences can work as employees of public and private organisations, but also as freelancers. In any case, they may always decide to further expand their professional knowledge and skills by pursuing a doctorate.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Stakeholders
The programme interacts with local, national and international stakeholders, such as professional organizations, manufacturing companies and service providers.
Geocareers project
The Teaching Board of the degree programme presents the “Geocareers” project, dedicated to students, graduating students, and recent graduates in Geology/Earth Sciences. The initiative aims to facilitate entry into the job market and/or to identify new opportunities for professional development.