Despite not knowing the exact details of my future, I do know that my career will most likely be something in the environmental field. Let's say that I end up choosing to pursue a career as an Environmental Geologist. How can I apply the knowledge and skills I've gained from this course to my future job?
My duties as an Environmental Geologist will vary widely, from organizing the safe disposal of hazardous materials to consulting for construction companies and governmental agencies. One thing I know for sure, I'll probably be working with a lot of soil. The soil beneath our feet may seem simple, but it's actually a complex blend of organic materials, liquids, gases, and minerals. Soil mineralogy can have major implications for the ecology on the local environment. Some soils, like those with bentonite clay, expand greatly when wet due to their mineral content, making them a potential hazard for anyone who may try to develop the affected land. While this course wasn't specifically over the mineralogy of soils, I know that the concepts I've learned here will be foundational to my future understanding.
An essential part of any career in Geology, is a good understanding of chemistry. Admittedly chemistry has always been one of my weaker subjects. To me chemistry was always difficult because we mostly dealt with abstract concepts. I was initially worried that this weakness would be my downfall in this course, but thankfully that wasn't the case. I found that being able to relate these abstract concepts to real physical processes finally made them click in my mind. Thanks to Mineralogy, my newfound understanding of chemistry will be a valuable asset in any future career I might choose.