For the years 1960-61 and 1961-62 a special Committee for Industrial-Academic Relations was appointed. The objective of this committee was to gather facts that would allow a recounting of the history of employment practices and academic training of geologists over the previous ten years; then, to attempt a forecast of this supply and demand relationship over the coming years to 1965. Two detailed questionnaires were sent out in successive years, and final results arrived in March, 1962.

Industry trends continue to emphasize a Master's degree as the basic academic training for professional employment. Thus, five years are needed for the training of a geologist. The five-year training period introduces a critical time lag that distorts the relations of demand and supply if industry is only willing to think of its employment needs on a year-to-year basis.

Geological education fulfills a dual role. We must serve the science needs of the student majoring in other subjects. At the same time, we must provide a sound basic knowledge of general geology and allied sciences for the student majoring in geology. General geological training, with emphasis on field and laboratory courses, is still the most important background for which industry looks in the selection of professional geologists.

Employment demand for geologists will exceed the supply of graduates from universities over the next three years. Already major oil companies are exceeding their normal search for geologists with five or six years of experience. It can be expected that competent, experienced geologists, who have swelled the ranks of

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the unemployed during the past five years, will again find their professional services needed in the near future.

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