NAPENews Magazine June 2023 Edition

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DO WE NEED MORE FEMALES IN GEOSCIENCE? The Geoscience discipline has long been recognized as a maled o m i n a t e d f i e l d , w i t h m e n occupying a significantly larger proportion of the geoscience population at various career levels within different industries. The American Geosciences Institute puts the participation of women in geoscience occupations at 33.1% as at 2018. In Nigeria, the figure is even more concerning; a survey of the NAPE membership shows that only about 1 in 5 NAPE members is female. A look at the Fellows category (the highest category of membership) reduces that number to approximately 1 female Fellow for every 13 Fellows within the Association. These figures indicate a need for more effort to be put into encouraging more women to take up Geosciences as a profession. But why do we need more women in Geosciences? Some of the reasons include promoting gender diversity and equality, ensuring that women fully participate and are provided with equal opportunities at all professional levels (UN SDGS Goal 5). This article will discuss this need and the efforts we can all make at three stages of the geosciences as a career profession: academic level (undergrad and grad), entry level positions, and management positions. T h e v e r y f i r s t s t e p o f c h o o s i n g geosciences as a career usually begins with studying the discipline in tertiary institutions. To do this, there must be an interest in the course. The following questions come to mind: Do we have enough interest in the discipline to draw females in? Are we painting the right picture about the beautiful world of geosciences? Or do we usually paint a bleak picture that involves traveling under gruesome conditions or working in an unreceptive environment? Practicing geoscientists can do a lot more to describe the beautiful world of geology and what the future holds for us in a way that endears younger children and teenagers (both male and female) to study any of the geoscience courses available. We can also encourage female students who have a love for exploring and travel to pursue geoscience as a discipline. Next, we have the entry-level positions, or the brilliant young minds that we at NAPE call the Young Professionals. We can think about the number of female course mates each of us had and how many actually took up geoscience as a profession compared to the males, and we can mostly agree that only a small percentage of females got(and are currently getting) geoscience jobs in any industry. Are companies doing enough to ensure there is a gender balance in their organizations? Are they also doing enough to close the gender pay gap within their organizations? Are company recruiters working to overcome any unconscious bias towards recruiting women? These would go a long way in encouraging females to apply for geoscience jobs. The YP can also hold activities tailored towards mentoring of female geoscientists to ensure these ones are guided towards the right direction from the start. At the advanced stage, we have the leadership and management positions, where we have the least representation of women with geoscience backgrounds. A report by the World Economic Forum shows that in the energy industry, women occupy only about 20% of the senior and leadership roles. Could this be because of a lack of positive work/life balance within the workplace? Could companies do better at ensuring that women are more comfortable reaching out for more responsibilities by making sure that these women are not so overwhelmed with work that their personal lives suffer? Companies could also implement policies which would be fair to all genders, to ensure that both male and female employees feel supported. Companies could do more to support women by creating flexible working environments including flexible working hours, as well as creating family friendly spaces for women raising f a m i l i e s . W o m e n c u r r e n t l y i n senior/management positions could also mentor upcoming female geoscientists to encourage them to take up management positions. These female leaders can also serve as a role model and guide to show the younger generation that these positions are achievable. In conclusion, a significant amount of effort is required to close the geoscience gender gap. We geoscientists can do our part as individuals by mentoring both students and geoscientists at all stages and encouraging them to reach out for opportunities. Companies can also play their part by promoting a more inclusive workspace for all their employees. We all have a part to play, and by doing so in the next few years we could be looking at a 50/50 report!! References: https://www.americangeosciences.org/g eoscience-currents/participationwomen-geoscience-profession https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusi nesscouncil/2022/03/07/five-wayst o - e m p o w e r - w o m e n - i n - t h e - workplace/ https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5 www.nape.org.ng Joy Gabriel NAPENEWS JUNE <strong>2023</strong> 56
BEYOND ROCKS AND MINERALS: HOW GEOSCIENCE GRADUATES CAN EXPLORE EXCITING CAREER PATHS IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Geoscience is a field that has been around for centuries, but with the rise of digital technology, new career opportunities are emerging rapidly, a n d t h e d e m a n d f o r s k i l l e d professionals in this field is likely to continue to grow in the coming years. Powerful tools that were once accessible to only a few are now within the grasp of everyday users. In this article, we will see how geoscience graduates can take advantage of this new development that allows them to combine their passion for geoscience with cuttingedge technology. Technology is actively changing the geoscience field in so many ways. One of the ways is by simplifying the data collection process in terms of quantity and quality. Additionally, advances in computing power and data storage have made it easier for geoscientists to analyze large and complex datasets allowing for better understanding and interpretation. Every day, new software and machine learning algorithms are built to visualize, identify and interpret patterns and relationships within spatial data. Geological data is now better communicated to a wider audience in an accessible manner all thanks to the use of interactive maps, 3D models and virtual reality tools. The automation of several data processing and analysis routine tasks has made it easier for geoscientists to focus on more complex and challenging tasks hence saving time and increasing efficiency. Recent innovations in geosciences have also brought an unprecedented level of technological advancement in the form of new tools and techniques. For example, autonomous underwater vehicles and seafloor mapping technologies have allowed earth scientists to explore and map the deep ocean in astonishing detail. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that its intersection with geosciences will continue to grow, l e a d i n g t o n e w i n s i g h t s a n d discoveries in this field. Hence, it is imperative that young graduates carve a career path that fully utilizes the opportunities these new fields offer. However, before choosing a career path, it is important to determine your interests and strengths. You need to ask yourself, 'Do I have a knack for using data to identify patterns and make predictions?', 'Am I fascinated by machine learning algorithms?', 'Am I passionate about designing and developing software solutions?'. These are all important questions to ask when exploring career options. Once you have identified your interests and strengths, it is important to research the industry to determine which areas are in demand. Look for job postings and read articles on industry trends to get a sense of where the industry is headed. These actions would help throw more light on the best industry niches to apply to, pursue a career in or upskill on. Dear young geoscientist, now that you have a good understanding of your interests, strengths and your industry niche preference, it's time to explore different career paths that intersect geoscience and technology. Such as being a Geospatial Analyst, S o f t w a r e D e v e l o p e r , D a t a Geoscientist, Geohazard Analyst, Environmental Data Scientist or Machine learning engineer. The steps below are a suggested guide on how to do this. First, gain a s t r o n g u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e geoscience fundamentals. It is important to focus on developing a deep understanding of natural p r o c e s s e s a n d g e o l o g i c a l formations, as this knowledge will form the basis for your use of t e c h n o l o g y . T h e n , s e e k o u t opportunities to work on research projects or internships that allow you to gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest. The next step is to improve your knowledge of the tools needed for success in your career of choice. Languages such as Python, R, and SQL have become increasingly important in developing custom algorithms for visualizing and interpreting large datasets. You may consider further education. This could include a graduate degree in a related field, such as data science or software engineering. Alternatively, you could look into specialized courses and certifications that can help you build the necessary skills. NAPENEWS JUNE <strong>2023</strong> 57
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JUNE 2023 EDITION Harnessing Nigeri
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