Environmental Career

Part 3
Environmental Glaciologist
Environmental glaciologists are essentially ice experts who research and study all natural
phenomena involving ice, from polar ice caps to mountainous glaciers. The research a
glaciologist conducts involves studies-after sample collection-that relate to the Earths
weather/climate change, plant/animal life in a region, and historical geography. However, as
glaciers cant be fully understood in a laboratory, these scientists split their time between lab and
field work. Research facilities are developed in remote locations, such as mountaintops and lands
in the far Antarctic North.
As such, the job not only requires one to be an expert on ice as a subject matter, but also
requires individuals to develop resistance to harsh cold weather and strength needed to succeed
in outdoor endeavors-most prominently mountaineering and climbing. In addition, geoscientists
like glaciologists need to develop deep critical problem solving skills, verbal communication and
instruction, and active comprehension and analysis senses. In order to succeed in the profession,
a masters degree and a major in geography is required. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, a national average of 1,480 glaciologists are employed per year as field researchers
and college university professors. These specialized geographic scientists earn an average of
$75,070 per year at an average rate of $36.09 per hour and are responsible for a wide range of
societally beneficial tasks; most notably the compilation and relay of data concerning physical
characteristics of specified areas and the instruction of a broad array of geographical subjects.