2024 Eos Special Career Issue

For every successful career story comes a roller coaster of ups and downs, support networks, and lessons learned. 

In this year’s career issue, we follow 14 Earth and space scientists through the trials, experiments, and restarts it took to get them where they are today. The individuals come from many places in the geosciences. Read about how collaboration helps a seismologist unriddle one of Earth’s greatest puzzles, how one scientist is trying to make sure people actually understand one another, how a meteorologist is ensuring early warnings for all, and how a chief is using his geological knowledge to guide his tribe. 

 Cate Larsen is a social media “rock” star, dropping groovy geological knowledge on audiences far and wide (p. 22). One of the few Black faculty members at her university, Adriana Alves is helping pave the way for others like herself (p. 18). Riley Black brings ancient fossils to life in her writing (p. 19). Alexander Farnsworth studies the climates of Earth’s past and future and asks, Could Westeros winter really last for years? (p. 20) Some of these individuals have been guided by a sense of duty, some by curiosity. Whatever their motivation, these folks have shown us how to get things done. Join us as we stand in awe of their hard work and achievements.

Though they are each finding their own way, they aren’t navigating the maze alone. Friends, family, audiences, mentors, and colleagues were key to building their successful careers and are important to keeping them. Scroll through these profiles to learn how these scientists made it through and take in a bit of their hard-earned wisdom. Get advice on building a network, helping others, and being true to yourself.