Questions about Careers in Paleontology

That was what I was thinking. A museum that has a large dinosaur exhibition. I would start with that - you could reach out to a couple of museums and see if you can get a contact of someone who works in that area or even search on the museum's website - maybe they have someone listed


A quick google search gives you these:
Professor or Teacher. ...
Research Specialist. ...
Museum Curator. ...
Museum Research and Collections Manager. ...
Prospector. ...
State or National Park Ranger Generalist. ...
Paleontologist or Paleontology Principal Investigator On-Call. ...
Paleoceanography/Paleoclimatalogy.

https://jobs.lovetoknow.com/careers-paleontology

There really arent lots of careeer options in museum studies each yar but a lot of big Universities have "Museum Studies" PhD programs (You would need a MAster of Applied SCience or a PhD-since these arte both "terminal degrees)

There are entry level career positions in paleo in bio /volution/geology programs in universities.
The largest amounts of mployers used to be the energy companies an uses of computer analyses in exploration and mapping are still fairly great.

Ive run sveral companies involved in mineral and energy exploration (as consultants to theindustris). We do applied research, field analyses, reservoir and ore body estimation. We use all sorts of tools including palo with chemistry and physics backup (Petroleum is often found in specific horizons of many ages along with :Specific "Index fossils" and these showing specific coloration that indicates optimal temperatures at which the original fluids were "Baked"

Outside of her hand problems (My hands are fairly cippled by past explosions and Im missing digits on my left hand and Im pretty much a mess so youllls see that my typing skills arent the best). But thats all BS to the science. We pay for smarts, capability, crativity, diligence and abilities to draw interconnections between geological functionary groups .Its a bunch of special skills and it often is presaged by kids who had been real good musicians and artists. There lotsa kids that enter the field because they think its a breeze but they dont usually rise to anything ecept sales staff or field techs.

Send me a PM when you are allowed and maybe Ill be able to recommend some schools whove got programs for budding scientists whove got challenges.

If she wants to become a technician . Museums often need sample preparators (but these are usually trained scientists with special skills in paleonatomy and rock stratigraphy)

The curatory staffs at museums are specialists and often they hire consultants in "stage setup and diorama design" Im not familiar with th career paths available but there are lots of good museums in each state that have fossil labs of the paleocreatures in those states

Thank you so much. I was thinking this might give her a good foundation. I appreciate your suggestion, and I will definitely reach out to some museums.

I really appreciate your insight. That's very helpful to know that the industry doesn't necessarily discriminate against hand handicaps. I'm excited to start discussing these options with her. She has taken no college courses just yet, and I think to discuss pursuing a PhD or even a masters would be highly overwhelming at this point. But just knowing there are options out there for her even on an entry level point is highly encouraging.

well, just realize that , unless shes got amazing talents in dioramas and recreating species, she wil require additional training. Im not ncessarily reccomending she pursue advanced degrees but It does give her a better "market value".

There are several market reconstructors of dinosaurs and fossils, maybe some exist in your area an you could suggest that your sister approach them .
Does your sister have illustration or model construction? She may wish to contact DK Publishing in NYC , they produce some very beautiful texts of prehistoric life , and usually surround their editorial staffs with artists of all scientific training.

Find a collage or university which does some sort of course in the right area of academia that your sister shows interest in ..... and ask them .... it is that simple.

As for any issues your sister has concerning her health, physicality etc, certainly in Europe any help possible would be given to tailor things to her abilities, to make the course and it's work accessible .... If you are in America, then fortunately I am not and have no idea if the academic world there acts in a sensible manner toward those who are differently abled.