This address to the Paleontological Society considers the present status of paleontology and tries to predict what will be needed in the coming decade for continued professional growth. The first of the three parts of this discussion is a characterization of paleontologists, the second is a review of how paleontologists view their tasks and training, and the third is a proposal for action which could justify support of paleontologists. Data from the Council on Education in the Geological Sciences (CEGS) publication, "Requirements in the Field of Geology" (SE 009 054 - ED 044 272), are extensively utilized in this report. (Author/PR)