Graduate Demand is Rising<\/b><\/h2>\n
Soil science is a multifaceted field with growing demand and a dwindling labor pool. \u201cIt\u2019s a niche career, and there really aren\u2019t very many of us,\u201d McGee said. \u201cLast I counted there were 150-200 licensed soil scientists in North Carolina. There\u2019s going to be a strong demand in coming years for graduates to fill these positions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The field of soil science is the study, analysis, and recommendation of soils for appropriate land use. The field usually diverges into two specialties – agricultural soils and environmental soils. There is a strong need for both soil scientists.<\/p>\n Every septic system in NC must be designed and approved by a licensed soil scientist.\u00a0 Looking to build a new house? Your building lot must have a permit from a soil scientist certifying that it will perk\u2019 or drain properly. Even large municipal governments rely on soil scientists to work on waste and stormwater discharge or runoff containment designs. The intent is to harmonize human development with environmental protection.<\/p>\n \u201cSoil scientists use soil as a resource,\u201d McGee said. Human activity results in waste of different sorts. And it all gets recycled back to the earth\u2019s land and waterways. So understanding how to manage the soil as a natural resource is paramount for human existence.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe try to find creative ways for developers or municipalities to use the land effectively and responsibly. We work with individual homeowners up to large corporations. We provide them with environmental solutions that combine sound science, our experience, and government regulations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Environmental soil scientists work for private consulting firms (like Agri-Waste Technology), government agencies (like the USDA\u2019s Natural Resource Conservation Service<\/a>), municipal governments, or even freelance as a sideline job.\u00a0<\/p>\n Soil science is a job that isn\u2019t always done at a desk. \u201cIt\u2019s a good combination of field and office work. I couldn\u2019t work behind a computer all the time, nor could I be on the road five days a week,\u201d McGee said. \u201cIn this job, you can create a client base and expertise that allows you to make what you want out of the job. Me? I need to be outside sometimes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n So what does an actual<\/i> soil scientist do? Chris McGee describes his usual weekly agenda:<\/p>\n I typically spend anywhere from 12 to 24 hours in the field during these three days, about 16 hours on average.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n If soil science sounds interesting, you might be wondering how to get started. Many college students with an interest in biology or environmental science stumble onto the field of soil science when looking for a hands-on career.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI always liked science, math, and being outside, but I didn\u2019t know what I wanted to do. I just knew that I didn\u2019t want to spend my life on theoretical studies. I liked practical science – something I could see the successes and failures of and watch from start to finish.\u201d McGee graduated from NC State in 2006 with a degree in soil science.<\/p>\n The most direct path to a soil science career is for a college student to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a> in soil science. But often individuals discover soil science later in life – after completing a different undergraduate degree. They can take online classes for the required soil science coursework<\/a>.<\/p>\n After required course completion, in NC new soil scientists must pass a state fundamentals exam and then usually work under the supervision of a licensed soil scientist for three years. Then they may take a professional licensing exam to hold their own soil science license. Over time they work on independent projects and often move into a management or market development role.<\/p>\n Versatility, Chris McGee says. \u201cYou need a mindset to learn new things. Every day is different with new challenges. Many times we are helping to guide clients who know they need our help but don\u2019t understand the government regulations. We have to troubleshoot with them and communicate clearly and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n Soil science might seem like a stable, predictable career. But it\u2019s evolving rapidly. \u201cThe regulatory environment is always changing. Land is becoming scarcer and more valuable. It\u2019s pushing the limits on how we use the land, especially in NC where population growth has exploded.\u201d So while the service demand is skyrocketing, so is the supporting technology.<\/p>\n \u201cClients expect us to share digital information and provide increasingly accurate maps. They used to be hand-drawn, but now everything is done with GIS and CAD skills. Any student interested in this field should have a keen grasp on GPS technology and mapping,\u201d McGee said.<\/p>\n Professional associations are an excellent way to network and stay current with industry trends. In NC, soil scientists often belong to the Soil Science Society of NC<\/a> and the Soil Science Society of America<\/a>. Additionally, NC State offers Cooperative Extension and soil science continuing education classes<\/a> and updates<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n So how can future soil scientists differentiate themselves in a resume? \u201cFind concrete ways to demonstrate your willingness to learn and keep learning. You\u2019ve got to prove those intangible skills of hard work and dealing with challenging environments.\u201d<\/p>\n McGee got his start at Agri-Waste Technology as an undergraduate internship that blossomed into a full-time position as an Assistant Soil Scientist. The undergraduate years are an excellent time to test-drive your chosen career path by working in the industry for a summer. You may discover a niche segment or a totally different direction to pursue.\u00a0<\/p>\n McGee\u2019s best advice to his junior soil scientists, \u201cIt\u2019s better to do a thing right the first time. Slow down and be intentional so no one has to question what you\u2019re doing.\u201d When it comes to managing the shared resource of our planet\u2019s soil, responsible, conscientious decisions are vital.<\/p>\n If you are a high school student interested in soil and environmental science (or know someone who is)\u00a0download our soil science ebook<\/a>, learn about our multiple degree programs<\/a> and sign up for an email exploration<\/a> of our department\u2019s undergraduate studies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Keep abreast of all the latest news and research from the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences by joining our Friends of Crop & Soil Sciences<\/a> weekly newsletter. Guiding students to careers that solve growing challenges is part of how we are growing the future.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n Soil is a unifying element of our planet and every nation on it. But soil science is a career field that is often overlooked because it\u2019s, well, always underfoot.<\/p>\n \u201cSoil Science isn\u2019t something most people know exists. Often people tell me, \u2018I had no idea people even do that,\u201d Senior Soil Scientist Chris McGee of Agri-Waste Technology<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Soil science is a multifaceted field with growing demand and a dwindling labor pool. \u201cIt\u2019s a niche career, and there really aren\u2019t very many of us,\u201d McGee said. \u201cLast I counted there were 150-200 licensed soil scientists in North Carolina. There\u2019s going to be a strong demand in coming years for graduates to fill these positions.\u201d<\/p>\n The field of soil science is the study, analysis, and recommendation of soils for appropriate land use. The field usually diverges into two specialties - agricultural soils and environmental soils. There is a strong need for both soil scientists.<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_11158\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1500\"] Every septic system in NC must be designed and approved by a licensed soil scientist.\u00a0 Looking to build a new house? Your building lot must have a permit from a soil scientist certifying that it will perk\u2019 or drain properly. Even large municipal governments rely on soil scientists to work on waste and stormwater discharge or runoff containment designs. The intent is to harmonize human development with environmental protection.<\/p>\n \u201cSoil scientists use soil as a resource,\u201d McGee said. Human activity results in waste of different sorts. And it all gets recycled back to the earth\u2019s land and waterways. So understanding how to manage the soil as a natural resource is paramount for human existence.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe try to find creative ways for developers or municipalities to use the land effectively and responsibly. We work with individual homeowners up to large corporations. We provide them with environmental solutions that combine sound science, our experience, and government regulations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Environmental soil scientists work for private consulting firms (like Agri-Waste Technology), government agencies (like the USDA\u2019s Natural Resource Conservation Service<\/a>), municipal governments, or even freelance as a sideline job.\u00a0<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_11162\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1500\"] Soil science is a job that isn\u2019t always done at a desk. \u201cIt\u2019s a good combination of field and office work. I couldn\u2019t work behind a computer all the time, nor could I be on the road five days a week,\u201d McGee said. \u201cIn this job, you can create a client base and expertise that allows you to make what you want out of the job. Me? I need to be outside sometimes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_11160\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"] So what does an actual<\/i> soil scientist do? Chris McGee describes his usual weekly agenda:<\/p>\n I typically spend anywhere from 12 to 24 hours in the field during these three days, about 16 hours on average.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n If soil science sounds interesting, you might be wondering how to get started. Many college students with an interest in biology or environmental science stumble onto the field of soil science when looking for a hands-on career.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI always liked science, math, and being outside, but I didn\u2019t know what I wanted to do. I just knew that I didn\u2019t want to spend my life on theoretical studies. I liked practical science - something I could see the successes and failures of and watch from start to finish.\u201d McGee graduated from NC State in 2006 with a degree in soil science.<\/p>\n The most direct path to a soil science career is for a college student to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a> in soil science. But often individuals discover soil science later in life - after completing a different undergraduate degree. They can take online classes for the required soil science coursework<\/a>.<\/p>\n After required course completion, in NC new soil scientists must pass a state fundamentals exam and then usually work under the supervision of a licensed soil scientist for three years. Then they may take a professional licensing exam to hold their own soil science license. Over time they work on independent projects and often move into a management or market development role.<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_11159\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2016\"] Versatility, Chris McGee says. \u201cYou need a mindset to learn new things. Every day is different with new challenges. Many times we are helping to guide clients who know they need our help but don\u2019t understand the government regulations. We have to troubleshoot with them and communicate clearly and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n Soil science might seem like a stable, predictable career. But it\u2019s evolving rapidly. \u201cThe regulatory environment is always changing. Land is becoming scarcer and more valuable. It\u2019s pushing the limits on how we use the land, especially in NC where population growth has exploded.\u201d So while the service demand is skyrocketing, so is the supporting technology.<\/p>\n \u201cClients expect us to share digital information and provide increasingly accurate maps. They used to be hand-drawn, but now everything is done with GIS and CAD skills. Any student interested in this field should have a keen grasp on GPS technology and mapping,\u201d McGee said.<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_11161\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"343\"] Professional associations are an excellent way to network and stay current with industry trends. In NC, soil scientists often belong to the Soil Science Society of NC<\/a> and the Soil Science Society of America<\/a>. Additionally, NC State offers Cooperative Extension and soil science continuing education classes<\/a> and updates<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n So how can future soil scientists differentiate themselves in a resume? \u201cFind concrete ways to demonstrate your willingness to learn and keep learning. You\u2019ve got to prove those intangible skills of hard work and dealing with challenging environments.\u201d<\/p>\n McGee got his start at Agri-Waste Technology as an undergraduate internship that blossomed into a full-time position as an Assistant Soil Scientist. The undergraduate years are an excellent time to test-drive your chosen career path by working in the industry for a summer. You may discover a niche segment or a totally different direction to pursue.\u00a0<\/p>\n McGee\u2019s best advice to his junior soil scientists, \u201cIt\u2019s better to do a thing right the first time. Slow down and be intentional so no one has to question what you\u2019re doing.\u201d When it comes to managing the shared resource of our planet\u2019s soil, responsible, conscientious decisions are vital.<\/p>\n If you are a high school student interested in soil and environmental science (or know someone who is)\u00a0download our soil science ebook<\/a>, learn about our multiple degree programs<\/a> and sign up for an email exploration<\/a> of our department\u2019s undergraduate studies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Home](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/03\/House-construction-wp.jpg\")
Environmental Soil Science<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/03\/water-treatment-wp.jpg\")
A Day in The Life<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/03\/McGee-SoilPit.jpg\")
Mondays:\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\n
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:<\/h3>\n
\n
\u00a0Fridays:\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\n
How to Become a Soil Scientist<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/03\/McGee_teach.jpg\")
What Makes A Good Soil Scientist?<\/b>\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Must-Have Soil Science Skills<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Soil](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/03\/McGee-Auger-scaled.jpg\")
How To Stand Out In This Field<\/b><\/h2>\n
Visit NC State Virtually<\/b><\/h2>\n
Graduate Demand is Rising<\/b><\/h2>\n
Environmental soil scientists work with developers on building sites.[\/caption]\nEnvironmental Soil Science<\/b><\/h2>\n
Soil scientists work on land application of waste and stormwater issues.[\/caption]\nA Day in The Life<\/b><\/h2>\n
Soil scientists spend time in the office and the field.[\/caption]\nMondays:\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:<\/h3>\n
\n
\u00a0Fridays:\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\n
How to Become a Soil Scientist<\/b><\/h2>\n
Chris McGee teaches a group of high school Envirothon students in 2019.[\/caption]\nWhat Makes A Good Soil Scientist?<\/b>\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Must-Have Soil Science Skills<\/b><\/h2>\n
Soil scientists test sites and recommend solutions for land use.[\/caption]\nHow To Stand Out In This Field<\/b><\/h2>\n
Visit NC State Virtually<\/b><\/h2>\n