3 answers
Gavin
Student
Yuma, Arizona
2
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When working as a paleontologist, how would I choose what I specialize in? For example, when becoming a paleontologist, would I be able too specialize in Paleoichnology instantly?
I am a 7th grader who has had a passion in Paleontology since I was 10, I am now 12, and I am still studying these animals. So if I became a paleontologist, how would I choose my specialty?
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3 answers
Robiah Thabit
Process Engineer
13
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Robiah’s Answer
Hello Gavin
I really admire that you’ve stayed passionate about paleontology for so many years already.
Here’s how it usually works, when you go into paleontology, or any career, you don’t pick a specialty right away
First, you learn a little bit of everything, so you understand the basics.
In paleontology, that means fossils, rocks, evolution, and ancient life.
Then, as you keep studying, you’ll notice which part excites you the most.
Some people focus on dinosaurs, some on ancient sea creatures, some on plants, and some people study tracks and traces.
That’s called paleoichnology. Instead of looking at bones, paleoichnologists look at the marks ancient animals left behind, footprints, burrows, nests, bite marks, or even poop (yes, fossil poop is a thing, called coprolites).
These traces are like clues that tell us how animals behaved, how they moved, and even how they lived together.
You usually get to officially choose your specialty later in college or graduate school, once you’ve built up a strong foundation.
But the cool part is, you don’t have to wait until then to start leaning in that direction.
Right now, you can
Read books and articles about fossil tracks and the scientists who study them.
Visit museums or fossil sites that have footprints.
Try school projects about footprints, animal behavior, or how fossils form.
So no, you wouldn’t specialize instantly, but you can already start exploring paleoichnology and practicing the kind of observation skills that will help you later.
And this isn’t just true for paleontology, it’s how most careers work.
Whether it’s medicine, engineering, or computer science, you first learn the basics of everything, then later choose the part that excites you most.
You’re already asking the kinds of thoughtful questions scientists ask, and that shows you’re on the right track.
Best of Luck.
I really admire that you’ve stayed passionate about paleontology for so many years already.
Here’s how it usually works, when you go into paleontology, or any career, you don’t pick a specialty right away
First, you learn a little bit of everything, so you understand the basics.
In paleontology, that means fossils, rocks, evolution, and ancient life.
Then, as you keep studying, you’ll notice which part excites you the most.
Some people focus on dinosaurs, some on ancient sea creatures, some on plants, and some people study tracks and traces.
That’s called paleoichnology. Instead of looking at bones, paleoichnologists look at the marks ancient animals left behind, footprints, burrows, nests, bite marks, or even poop (yes, fossil poop is a thing, called coprolites).
These traces are like clues that tell us how animals behaved, how they moved, and even how they lived together.
You usually get to officially choose your specialty later in college or graduate school, once you’ve built up a strong foundation.
But the cool part is, you don’t have to wait until then to start leaning in that direction.
Right now, you can
Read books and articles about fossil tracks and the scientists who study them.
Visit museums or fossil sites that have footprints.
Try school projects about footprints, animal behavior, or how fossils form.
So no, you wouldn’t specialize instantly, but you can already start exploring paleoichnology and practicing the kind of observation skills that will help you later.
And this isn’t just true for paleontology, it’s how most careers work.
Whether it’s medicine, engineering, or computer science, you first learn the basics of everything, then later choose the part that excites you most.
You’re already asking the kinds of thoughtful questions scientists ask, and that shows you’re on the right track.
Best of Luck.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Gavin !
This is a great question because you will need to know this before attending college.
For your Bachelors Degree, you would Major in a broader spectrum of subjects. You could choose either Biology or Geology and it's not recommended to major in paleontology right away. Majoring in Biology, Environmental Sciences, or Geology will provide you with the needed base knowledge for you to understand the geological context of fossils and you will need skills in mathematics, chemistry, physics, life sciences, stratigraphy, evolutionary biology, genetics, sedimentology, and ecology.
While you are working on your Bachelors Degree, you can think about a future specialty such as paleoecology, paleobiology, invertebrate paleontology, paleozoology, paleobotany, or micropaleontology, but choosing too soon can limit the ability to be marketable and obtain work in the future. You can narrow down a specialization choice while you are working on your Masters Degree. Doing it this way will lead to wider options for work later on.
I know it's a long way off until your Masters Degree and most colleges do offer an undergraduate Major Program In Biology or Geology, but you can familiarize yourself with the colleges to consider for your Masters Degree in Paleontology as it is not a very common Major Program. Northern Arizona University has a Masters Program for Geology with a focus in paleontology. Also explore what Arizona State University offers for their Masters Programs. Your guidance counselor could assist you with this.
Since you have this interest, you can always consult with a guidance counselor about this as you proceed along through junior high school and High School. Try to learn and understand all of the separate subjects that go into paleontology and take it a step at a time. Join some extracurriculars, clubs and activities through school. You can also find out more about the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa because they have opportunities for kids to get experience. The Southwest Paleontological Society in partnership with the Arizona Museum of Natural History offers hands-on field and lab programs for members and their families. It's a good opportunity to engage directly with paleontology. The Arizona Natural History paleontology section actively involves volunteers in research, and children can participate in educational programs and fossil preparation activities. Sounds awesome !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
This is a great question because you will need to know this before attending college.
For your Bachelors Degree, you would Major in a broader spectrum of subjects. You could choose either Biology or Geology and it's not recommended to major in paleontology right away. Majoring in Biology, Environmental Sciences, or Geology will provide you with the needed base knowledge for you to understand the geological context of fossils and you will need skills in mathematics, chemistry, physics, life sciences, stratigraphy, evolutionary biology, genetics, sedimentology, and ecology.
While you are working on your Bachelors Degree, you can think about a future specialty such as paleoecology, paleobiology, invertebrate paleontology, paleozoology, paleobotany, or micropaleontology, but choosing too soon can limit the ability to be marketable and obtain work in the future. You can narrow down a specialization choice while you are working on your Masters Degree. Doing it this way will lead to wider options for work later on.
I know it's a long way off until your Masters Degree and most colleges do offer an undergraduate Major Program In Biology or Geology, but you can familiarize yourself with the colleges to consider for your Masters Degree in Paleontology as it is not a very common Major Program. Northern Arizona University has a Masters Program for Geology with a focus in paleontology. Also explore what Arizona State University offers for their Masters Programs. Your guidance counselor could assist you with this.
Since you have this interest, you can always consult with a guidance counselor about this as you proceed along through junior high school and High School. Try to learn and understand all of the separate subjects that go into paleontology and take it a step at a time. Join some extracurriculars, clubs and activities through school. You can also find out more about the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa because they have opportunities for kids to get experience. The Southwest Paleontological Society in partnership with the Arizona Museum of Natural History offers hands-on field and lab programs for members and their families. It's a good opportunity to engage directly with paleontology. The Arizona Natural History paleontology section actively involves volunteers in research, and children can participate in educational programs and fossil preparation activities. Sounds awesome !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Gavin!
For many people choosing a profession is a probability game [they might get in], or they take what is available.
High school prerequisites Biology, Chemistry, Geology, English, Mathematics. Join a local Arizona Paleontological association or interest group. Network your interest to cover social media. Investigate working as an intern for colleges specializing in Paleontology. Investigate for geological search engines online.
https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/georef
Research the science of Paleontology. You shall have the option to specialize in your chosen niche when you meet with academic staff about a higher degree. The field work shall be exciting for you with highly qualified staff!
Paleontology is much like a snapshot in the vastness of geological time which can date back to the Precambrian era, the earliest part of Earth's history. The Precambrian is the earliest part of Earth's history, spanning from about 4.6 billion years ago (when Earth began to form) to the start of the Cambrian Period, approximately 541 million years ago. It shall be highly educative when the geologists examine Mars.
Colleges Teaching Paleontology in AZ https://edurank.org/biology/paleontology/arizona/
You would benefit from a PhD in Paleoichnology, as would the study itself, no doubt. You would specialize in this area in your higher degree and publish some groundbreaking studies!
ENJOY GAVIN
For many people choosing a profession is a probability game [they might get in], or they take what is available.
High school prerequisites Biology, Chemistry, Geology, English, Mathematics. Join a local Arizona Paleontological association or interest group. Network your interest to cover social media. Investigate working as an intern for colleges specializing in Paleontology. Investigate for geological search engines online.
https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/georef
Research the science of Paleontology. You shall have the option to specialize in your chosen niche when you meet with academic staff about a higher degree. The field work shall be exciting for you with highly qualified staff!
Paleontology is much like a snapshot in the vastness of geological time which can date back to the Precambrian era, the earliest part of Earth's history. The Precambrian is the earliest part of Earth's history, spanning from about 4.6 billion years ago (when Earth began to form) to the start of the Cambrian Period, approximately 541 million years ago. It shall be highly educative when the geologists examine Mars.
Colleges Teaching Paleontology in AZ https://edurank.org/biology/paleontology/arizona/
You would benefit from a PhD in Paleoichnology, as would the study itself, no doubt. You would specialize in this area in your higher degree and publish some groundbreaking studies!
ENJOY GAVIN