Natural Science Forum / Biology / Paleontology / September 2005

You should study biology and geology. With a little work, you could have
a double major. Many invertebrate paleontologists work for oil
companies. Vertebrate paleontologists tend to work for universities or
museums. Or at McDonald's. And this (the museums and universities, I
mean) usually requires a graduate degree too.

Hi there,

I actually went to university with the intention of becoming a
palaeontologist....then I realized that the jobs are few and far between.

In high school (a WHILE ago), I was fortunate enough to get a Co-Op
placement at the Royal Ontario Museum's Invertebrate palaeontology
department (as you've seen from the other posters, invertebrates are
anything without a spine/backbone, which actually includes a wide range of
"animals").
I learned a lot, and it was a fantastic job, but one thing I learned is that
there isn't exactly a huge market for palaeontologists.  The field of
micropalaeontology (the study of microscopic fossils like diatoms,
conodonts, etc.) is probably the most lucartive as it can relate directly to
the oil industry.

Aside from getting a job with a university or museum, you'll be pretty hard
pressed to find a job as a palaeontologist.  That said, however, it doesn't
preclude you from trying.
During high school I signed up for a number of archaeology summer camps, as
I figured that any kind of field work experience would be useful.

I took a Double Major degree in Geology and Biology at university.  I
tailored my geology courses to sedimentary rocks (since that is where you
find fossils), and was fortunate enough to take a couple of palaeo courses,
as well as a special projects course in microfossils.  My biology courses
were focused on anatomy and physiology of vertebrates and invertebrates.

It was a great learning experience, and ultimately I found myself in a
career in the environmental sciences, so it wasn't a waste of time.

I still think about a career in palaeontology (and with rumours of a huge
new museum opening in Nova Scotia, I'm thinking about trying to pursue it),
but for now I'm happy to be making money and at least working in
hydrogeology.

Hope that information helps you.

Chris