Most early-career professionals are familiar with the much-ado made about the impending retirement of the "Baby-Boomer" generation. This mass socio-economic shift has yet however to make significant changes in the natural resources job market. Rather than a flood of retirees from state, federal, or private companies, older professionals are instead choosing to length their career or pursue other opportunities within their field as consultants or otherwise changing employment sectors. In any case, those eligible to retire are usually highly placed in organizations and these positions are filled with mid-career or advanced professionals.
The job opportunities that do become available for beginning professionals are at the bottom of the organizational chart. New hires can expect long hours and remote locations as previous occupants of the position move up or transfer to more desirable ones. A typical new hire should plan for three to five years to become settled in a position and gain institutional knowledge, job experience, and increase skill levels before seeking promotions, transfers, or other opportunities.
