I teach a vareity of marine science and ecology classes so my daily tasks can be different based off of what subject I am teaching. Since I teach at the community college level, my main task every day is to figure out how to communicate the different subject areas effectively to students who are new to college or may have never had any exposure to these topics. Other daily tasks also include creating lesson plans and syllabi for my classes and grading papers.
CAREER
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$94,520
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+1.9% (little or no change)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Astronomy Professor, Atmospheric Sciences Professor, Geology Professor, Instructor, Meteorology Professor, Oceanography Professor, Professor, Research Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I get to the office and prep my lessons for an hour or two and then go on to teach class. I usually like to be done teaching by noon and use the afternoons to meet with students (mostly graduate students) to advise them. I edit and write papers for publication in journals. I also write grant proposals. I go to committee meetings and attend lectures. Additionally, I travel about every other month for research, either for conferences, field work, or collaboration.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Doctoral or professional degree (47%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Geography: Global Studies
Graduate
Geography
Doctorate
Geography
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
As a teacher, you have to have thick skin. There will be students that love you and there will be students who hate you and you have to accept that. Learn how to communicate effectively and clearly. Doing research trains you to use particular equipment and techniques that come in handy as a lab teacher. Get leadership experience.
Networking, working with people, advising, and leading, all with a good dose of patience and persistence thrown in.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Talk to a geographer or geoscientist!! Individuals working in the field have their fingers on the pulse of the industry. They have likely made mistakes on their path like I did, and can give you advice on the skills and qualities that are in demand right now. You will still need to follow your own path, but conversations like these can help get your foot in the door, and also be a great motivator to help you hit the ground running.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
