Copyright Shutterstock.com/semisatch Competencies Approaches to Building a Robust Geoscience Workforce Christopher Keane & Heather Houlton American Geosciences

copyright Shutterstock.com/semisatch

Christopher Keane & Heather Houlton

American Geosciences Institute

September 25, 2015

Competency ApproachesWhat is “Competency”How is it currently usedCurrent PerceptionsExamples of existing effortsA look at a study of Geology/Geography alignment

through a competency lens

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A competency is the capability to apply or use a set of related knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform "critical work functions" or tasks in a defined work setting.

- U.S. Department of Labor

An Issue of Language?Competency is often viewed in the Anglo world as a finite

skillUsing a screwdriver

Competency is the francophone world is a demonstrable knowledge bundle.Creating an accurate geologic map

Scope of a Competency can be widely varied

- EAGE GeoWorkforce 2013

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CareerPath

CareerPath

Competencies as Career ManagementTotal’s Experience

Career Start

Senior Technical

Senior Management

Competency or Mastery?Competency is a demonstrated fundamental knowledge

and understanding of a concept/capabilityMastery requires demonstrated application of a

competency in real applications and assessed by a master.

Examples of new applicationsUniversity of Utah Medical School

What does an 80% in medical school mean?Surgical knot vs. pharmacology

Northern Arizona University (Selected Programs)Transcripts as competencies or courses

Preference by groups like Google, Facebook, etc

Goal-based vs time-based learning

Competency ApproachThreat or Improvement?Academic/Student Perspective – Threat

Geometric expansion of potential points of failureChallenge of a goal-based vs time-based approachConcern on how it aligns for graduate school prep

Employers – ImprovementBetter able to assess new hire backgroundAssign people to activities where they will succeedEasier to provide feedback to geoscience programs

What is the Potential?Empower students to self-manage career from the startDevelop the concept of life-long learning during formal

educationGeoscience programs demonstrate their strengthsExpose the pathways to resilient employment

Computer programmingMathematics

Manage expectations of students through the cycle

Efforts in the USU.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop.org

Massive investments in GeoSpatial competency modelGeoscience walked away from the money

Undergraduate Geoscience Education Summit

But first…how do these competencies fit in to the larger context? Department of Labor Competency Models

Geospatial Competency Model

“Non-Tech”

“Technical”

Others Pushing Forward for Geoscience

Geoscientists Canada has built their Competency Profile for Entry to Practice

Australian Institute of Geoscientists is looking at the Canadian model to augment their licensure structure

Industry influence in the E.U. encouraging competency framing of degrees

INTRAW Project making a call of global core competency model

Geoscience Career Master’s Preparation Survey

Joint research study with AGI and AAGFunded by the National Science Foundation (GEO 1202707)

Investigated 3 main topics:Departmental experiences in Master’s programsNon-technical competenciesTechnical competencies

Investigated Geology, Geography and joint “Hybrid” Master’s Programs.

Validated Survey Instruments

Geology: Geology: National Association of State Boards of National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) – Task Analysis Survey.Geology (ASBOG) – Task Analysis Survey.Fundamentals of Geology and Practicing Geology Exams.Fundamentals of Geology and Practicing Geology Exams.

Geography:Geography: AAG’s Enhancing Departments and AAG’s Enhancing Departments and Graduate Education Graduate Education Geography and Career Planning Survey for faculty and Geography and Career Planning Survey for faculty and

students. students.

Competencies – What did we ask?

Faculty: Faculty: How prepared are your How prepared are your Master's adviseesMaster's advisees in each of the following skill in each of the following skill areas for post-graduation employment in (geology or geography) related areas for post-graduation employment in (geology or geography) related positions?positions?

Students: Students: How much preparation How much preparation have you received have you received in the following skill areas in the following skill areas for post-graduation employment in (geology or geography)?for post-graduation employment in (geology or geography)?

Non-Academic Professionals: Non-Academic Professionals: How prepared are you in each of these skill How prepared are you in each of these skill areas for employment in your current position? areas for employment in your current position?

Non-Academic Professionals: Non-Academic Professionals: Please indicate how important each skill area is Please indicate how important each skill area is for employment in your current position.for employment in your current position.

Non-Technical Competencies (Geology)Not Applicable/ I don't know

Not PreparedSomewhat PreparedAdequately PreparedExtensively Prepared

KEY Preparation:

Not Applicable/ I don't knowNot ImportantSomewhat ImportantImportantVery Important

KEY Importance:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

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70%

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100%

Faculty Students Prof.Prep.

Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Information Management Grant Proposals Time Management Adaptability Self Awareness

0%

10%

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30%

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80%

90%

100%


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Relationship Building Skills Intercultural Skills Teaching Computer & Technology Skills Publishing

Non-Technical Competencies (Geology)Not Applicable/ I don't know


KEY Preparation:


KEY Importance:

Technical Competencies (Geology)Technical Competencies (Geology)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

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Faculty Students Prof.Prep

Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Plan and conduct geologicalinvestigati ons considering humanhealth, safety, the environment,

regulations, and qualityassurance/quality control (QA/QC)

Collect, compile, and interprethistoric information to plan

geological investigati ons

Interpret and analyze availablegeologicaland geophysicaldata,

maps, sections, and reports

Determine scales, distances, andelevations from imagery, surveys,

maps, and GIS applications

Prepare, analyze, and interpretlogs, cross-sections, maps, and

other graphics derived fromfieldinvestigati ons and GIS applicat i ons

Not Applicable/ I don't knowNot PreparedSomewhat PreparedAdequately PreparedExtensively Prepared

KEY Preparation:


KEY Importance:

Technical Competencies (Geology)Not Applicable/ I don't know


KEY Preparation:


KEY Importance:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Plan and conduct sedimentologic,stratigraphic, or paleontological

investigati ons, including the use ofmodeling and geophysics

Select and apply appropriatestratigraphic nomenclature and

establish correlations

Identify and interpret sedimentaryprocesses and structures,

depositionalenvironments, andsediment provenance

Identify and interpret sediment orrock sequences, positions,and

ages

Identify and interpret fossils andfossilassemblages for age or

paleoenvironmentalinterpretations

Technical Competencies (Geog.) Not Applicable/ I don't know


KEY Preparation:


KEY Importance:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Using GIS to acquire, manage,display, and analyze spatialdata in

digital form

Recording, measuring, and plottingelectromagnetic radiati on datafromaerial photographs and

remote sensing systems againstland features identified in ground

controlsurveys, generally toproduce planimetric, topographic,

and contour map

Understanding the underlyingtheories and methods related to

acquiring an object withoutcontacting it physically

Using interviews, questionnaires,observations, photography, maps,

and other techniques formeasuring geographic information

in the fiel

Using quantitati ve methods toprocess spatialdata for the

purpose ofmaking calculations,models, and inferences about

space, spatialpatt erns, and spat i alrelationship

Technical Competencies (Geog.) Not Applicable/ I don't know


KEY Preparation:


KEY Importance:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.


Prof.Imp.

Knowing and applying geographicinformation about political systems

and processes

Knowing and applying geographicinformation about culture and

culturalprocesses

Knowing and applying geographicinformation about populati on,demography, and demographic

processes

Knowing and applying geographicinformation about relati onships

between nature and society

Designing paper or digital maps

Full Results and Resources

Purchase or download the report!www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/reports

Want to evaluate your program? Use our survey templates!www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/workforce-readiness

Questions and Discussion

Thank you! Contact us with additional questions:

Christopher Keane: [email protected]

Heather Houlton: [email protected]

AGI Website: www.americangeosciences.org

Workforce: www.americangeosciences.org/workforce

Documents

Copyright Shutterstock.com/semisatch Competencies Approaches to Building a Robust Geoscience Workforce Christopher Keane & Heather Houlton American Geosciences