Career

 On June 11, 2010 Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen signed into law the "Soil Scientists Licensing Act of 2009."  Specifically, the bill creates licensure for the practice of soil science which is defined (in the bill) as, "[the] investigation, inspection, collection, or evaluation of soil as a means to classify soil pursuant to the use and application of the USDA soil taxonomy standard, as revised, or the interpretation,inventory, planning, or mapping resulting from classifying soils."   The passage of this legislation is monumental for the profession of soil science in Tennessee.  

New Zealand soil scientist Dr Carol Smith, Academic Programme Manager in Lincoln University's Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is establishing a new specialization in science and entrepreneurship at Lincoln University. The specialization will give students a practically-focussed introduction to technology-based business by introducing them to the main elements of the commercialisation of science and technology.

The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) - SSSA Scholarship was established in 2009 to encourage undergraduate students to major in soil science degree programs.  Please make this information known to prospective 2nd year or above college students majoring in soil science to apply for this scholarship. The time period for initiating a scholarship award nomination ends March 23, 2010.

My career has seen the soil science profession shift from predominantly government employer to mixed private, government and university employers. Until recently, I thought I was witnessing the decline of the profession, but now I believe it is the effect of the diversification that has ultimately broadened the knowledge and application of soil scientists. Today, there are more laws and regulations that pertain to soils than ever before, and states continue to add licensing. So why is the number of soil science students continuing to decrease?

The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) Scholarship was established with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) to encourage undergraduate students to major in soil science degree programs. The scholarship recruits top quality students into nationally recognized soil science programs to meet the expanding and diverse needs of this field. The NSCSS also encourages soil science degree graduates to pursue a career in the field of professional consulting soil science to meet the various public needs and practical applications of this science.

Two $1000 NSCSS Scholarships will be presented at the SSSA Awards Reception and Program, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5:30 – 7:00 pm in the Convention Center, Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A, Third Floor. SSSA President Paul Bertsch will be announcing the scholarship recipients. The presentation will be aided by a PowerPoint presentation, showcasing each recipient as they are announced. The students will receive a certificate as a recognition for receiving the scholarship.

As previously reported, the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) “Hubert J. Byrd Scholarship” is now established in cooperation with the SSSA. In this year 2009, we will start awarding these scholarship funds to highly qualified students in soil science curriculums. Promoting your soil science profession in this manner is the highest of endeavors. So, how do we fund the fund??

Historically, the NSCSS has built the scholarship account through separate individual contributions, interest bearing CD’s, and the silent auction, golf scholarship tournament conducted at each year’s NSCSS annual meeting. The NSCSS scholarship account is presently quite sound, but it has been a slow and steady process to reach this point. Many soil scientists are blessed / cursed with a common conservative gene, which enables them to carry the same $1 dollar bill around for months.

We welcome and encourage NSCSS members and non-members to continue their individual contributions.

The NSCSS scholarship committee also needs your ideas on how to maintain and perpetually build this fund for the future. Please contact NSCSS scholarship committee members for any recommendations you may have.

Through the contributions of many individuals' time and efforts the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) Scholarship has come to realization and is now established! This educational scholarship represents the best of our organization, and fills yet another of our professional society’s goals: “Encouraging students to select career paths in soil science”. The NSCSS Scholarship is named in honor of “Hubert J. Byrd”, a prominent and highly respected soil scientist who contributed much to our profession.

The NSCSS Scholarship is a cooperative effort with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). Presently, two separate $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually. The scholarship recipients will be high quality students, who have completed their sophomore college year, a 2.5 or above GPA (out of 4.0), a declared major in soil science or closely related field, and have a strong interest in practical business applications of their knowledge and skills. The NSCSS fully funds the annual scholarship, administration costs, and is responsible for selection of the scholarship recipients. The SSSA administers the advertising, collation, and presentation of potential applicants’ information to the NSCSS scholarship committee. 2009 Awards are complete, and the 2010 awards process is in preparation. Information regarding the NSCSS Scholarship requirements and its’ administration can be found at the following web sites:

SSSA:
Award Detail

NSCSS:
Apply

I am considering going back to school and soil science caught my interest. I already have a four year degree in the environmental field. I was wondering what are good schools for soil science. I was also wondering what the job outlook in this field is as well as what is a general median in salary. Are the jobs in soil science isolated to a certain geographical area or are they widespread?

Intercollegiate Soil Judging is a demanding and rigorous challenge as participants must determine suitability of soils for crop production, water storage and recharge, rural and urban development, and roadway and building construction.

SSSA and NSCSS are working out the details needed to establish the NSCSS Scholarship. This should be up and running by Spring, 2009.

Each time I move to a different city, I follow the same basic approach to rebuilding business.