Overlap between geology and paleontology

[KaiYeves]

How much overlap is there between being a geologist and being a paleontologist? Is it likely for someone to be trained and active in both fields, and, if so, how common is this?

I understand that since the sciences are so closely related, people working in one field may pick up a working knowledge of the other (I know that some archeologists are very knowledgeable about the local geology of their research area, and I imagine it would be even more so with paleontologists considering the greater periods of time that they study), but how likely is it that someone could have degrees and research experience in both fields?

(This is for a story idea I'm brainstorming with some other people.)

[billslugg]

I did a bit of googling and found this.
"Very few Universities offer degrees in Paleontology. Apparently, most Paleontologists have their degrees in either Zoology or Geology."

[cran]

How much overlap? A lot. Very important to geologists to understand the various marker fossils in the field, and again in the lab. Those who go on to become fossil hunters - palaeontologists - often begin with geology, then take up further studies in zoology (or sometimes the broader biology), whether formally (as a degree) or privately (as an interest).

[grapes]

Schools might have a geology department, but have programs in paleontology or geophysics--which might not have much to do with geology at all.

[geonuc]

I look on paleontology as a academic subset of geology, and the school I took my geology degree from seemed to view it that way too.

[Gillianren]

The paleontology class I took in community college was labeled Geology 107 or something along those lines.

[KaiYeves]

Thank you all for your prompt replies! Now I know that a character who is both is completely plausible.