UNDERGRADUATE ESSAYS
Christopher Howard, SA-12210
University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown
Pennsylvania Section
Like many geologists, my interest in geology began when I was a kid by collecting
rocks. As my shelves began to fill with an ever-growing collec- tion of rocks, I began to question: what are these, do they have names, why is this one different from this one, and so on. Similarly with any research, one seemingly simple question leads to a suite of new complicated ones that need answers. From this, an unending curiosity was born. This curiosity never left my mind but as I’ve grown and learned, it’s evolved. What once was an innocent question of “why is this here” has become so much more complicated. But it wasn’t until recently I discovered how hard of a question this was.
I was doing a drone mapping project with one of my geography
professors when I noticed a series of strange partings in the high wall of the quarry we were mapping. Shortly after finishing the map and communicating with my geology professor, what once was a simple question of “what is that layer” became a yearlong research project on the Bald Hill Bentonites and their potential origin. But many more questions arose out of this research to dig further into in the future. The same craving for knowledge as I had when I was younger, has only ever grown.
The most important statement I heard when deciding to be a
geology major was “To be a geologist you must have enthusiasm. You must look at something and feel that childhood wonder rise from within you.” From there, I laid out my future paths in front of me and found that I’ve never lost that childlike wonder when looking at the Earth and declared geology as my major.
One of the most influential classes I’ve had so far was Geomorphology. The old childhood questions of “why is the stream here? Why is there a mountain here? How do volcanoes form? Why are glaciers blue?” were finally answered. After com- pleting the class, being able to look at the landscape and know (to a point) how it formed and what factors influenced its forma- tion inspired me to share this knowledge with others. Through the years, as I have learned more, so have those around me. My non-geologist peers look to me with questions and curiosity about the world that surrounds us. Through my teachings, my enthusiasm, and my excitement I have inspired within my peers a curiosity for the world that I have. If presented with a question I can't answer, it pushes me to learn. To not know something is to know there is an opportunity for learning.
Consistently, I’m finding out how much there is to learn. After
my research on the Bald Hill Bentonites, my professor invited me to assist him with his research in northern Portugal on ultramafic rocks. While in Portugal, every moment was like drinking from a firehose of knowledge. Without having a structural geology or a petrology course and with Portugal being a structurally intense place, it was a trial by fire. At every opportunity possible, a flood of questions was laid at my professor’s feet with each question having a follow-up question and another. I wanted to know everything I possibly could with the time I had there, my curiosity only ever grew.
Ruby Parcells, SA-12161 University of Georgia Georgia Section
I didn’t originally dream of being
a geologist. Sure, I love the outdoors, and I have been finding rocks in my pocket since before I can remember. But my childhood fascination with the inner
workings of our world initially drew me to engineering—the mechanics of our society. My dream was to Save the Earth. My plan was to study materials science and engineering at The Ohio State University, graduate in four years, and design a better bio- degradable polymer that could replace the plastics that fill our landfills. But after two short semesters, I realized that materials science and engineering were not for me and I left Columbus, Ohio, defeated, depressed, and looking for an alternative. In my chaotic search for a Plan B, I took an online introductory course in physical geology. As I studied the grain sizes of sand and the luster of galena, I found myself smiling again. A year later, as I peered down a microscope at a thin section of basalt, I knew I had finally found my place in the world, a community in which I belonged.
Therefore, why I want to be a geologist comes down to why
I love geology. Geology reignited my childhood fascination and reinvigorated my passion for the environment. As I near the completion of my undergraduate senior thesis, I have reflected on the opportunities that geology has provided me. I have flown to Ecuador to sample volcano tephra; I have driven halfway across the country to study the structure of the Rocky Mountains; I have ferried to Georgia’s barrier islands to survey paleoecology and erosion; I have used millions of dollars worth of microscopes and machines to analyze the minute details of minerals; and I’ve relished every minute of it. I aspire to become a geologist so that I can continue studying our vastly complex planet, comprehend- ing on a deep level the complexities of the landscape on which we build our homes and raise our kids.
For me, becoming a geologist symbolizes insatiable curiosity and perpetual learning. In the not-too-distant future, I will pur- sue a Master’s degree and after that, a PhD. My dream remains the same—to save the earth—but this time it will be through advancing our understanding of the natural world through research and education. First, I would like to make a positive impact in the field of environmental geology through consult- ing and experimental research. I aim to enhance my expertise in fieldwork and laboratory analysis, actively contributing to the scientific community. Ultimately, my aspiration is to pursue a career in academia, where I can serve as a university researcher and professor and share my passion for exploration and discovery with the future generations.
I want to make sense of this world. With endless enthusiasm,
I want to bestow that same enthusiasm and curiosity to others. I want to inspire others to learn about the world alongside me. I want to be a geologist to explore and learn all that is possible.
www.aipg.org
Jul.Aug.Sep 2024 • TPG 27
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