CAREER LESSONS
time; moreover, reading is an engaging and reflective process of learning. Be curious and read not only the recent books in your own field but also books on the history and legacy of your field. Deepen your knowledge and broaden your perspective by reading good books and articles.
14. Beware of Booms and Busts (7)
Professional geology, like any other business, goes through the cycle of booms and busts. Try to save money or pay off your debts in good times, and try to learn new skills in low times as a way to prepare for the new challenges and changes in the profession.
15. Strong Knowledge of Geology and Industry (6)
As a geologist you must have a deep knowledge of your particular field. For example, if you are a petroleum geolo- gist you must master the petroleum system – the source rock, generation, migration, reservoir rocks, traps, sealing, accumulation, preservation and so forth. Understanding the petroleum system should be founded on a solid knowledge of sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, field geology, mapping, geochemistry, well logging, and seismic interpreta- tion. Moreover, geology is only one part of the business and industry in which we are; it is essential to understand how your business and industry works and how your particular work fits in the overall operation of the company. In other word, get the “Big Picture.”
16. Attend Professional Conferences (6)
This tip goes well with tip #6 (joining professional societies) but several peers specifically mention that it is crucial to par- ticipate in meetings and conferences hosted by those societies and associations. Simply being a member does little good. By attending the conferences we update our knowledge and also identify new trends and problems. It is equally important to present papers in conferences as it bestows on you authority and publicity in your field of expertise.
17. Balance Work with Life (5)
Your career is important but it is only one aspect of your life. Balance your job with your family life, personal hobby, rest, joy and entertainment. Take vacations. A stressed and overworked body and mind actually hurts your job and per- formance.
18. Be a team player (3)
Consider these facts of life: Humans are social animals. Your job is always transactional. Projects and workplaces involve more than you. Therefore, even for your own interest, be a helpful and pleasant team player.
19. Become interdisciplinary (3)
Earth is not divided into disciplines and departments; it is a set of whole, interconnected, organic systems. It is always good to learn about other disciplines and be able to communicate with other experts. Moreover, projects often involve more than one particular discipline, and we sometimes have to multitask. In fact, at some point in our career it is highly desirable to work in a multidisciplinary team and environment; we learn a lot more this way than we did at school.
20. Learn from your mistakes (3)
Humans are fallible. There are times we make honest mistakes. The more important point is not to make the same mistake twice.
21. Know that you do not know it all (3)
Our knowledge is incomplete and our data are always lim- ited. There are many things that we do not know but need to seek out; there are also still many things that science does
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The best geologist is he [she] who has seen the most rocks.
not know. Science is an evolving and never-ending process of inquiry and discovery. No matter how great a geologist you are, at times the rocks will humiliate you. Do not be upset. Actually, the more we know the more humble we should be.
22. Listen objectively to other opinions (3)
Arrogance, narcissism and know-it-all attitude are not very admirable qualities even if people may not directly criticize us for any of these traits present in us. All perspectives have blind spots and all thought systems have holes. Listen objectively to the opinions, ideas and experiences of others. Listening is an essential art of learning; learn it well even if only to your own advantage.
23. Be Yourself (3)
It is a good thing to listen to and learn from the advice of others. But do not try to imitate or compare yourself with oth- ers. We come from various walks of life. Each person works and lives in a different situation. Be genuine, honest, a good learner and open to life. Be yourself. Examine things and see if they work for you. Learn from your own life as well.
This Requires Your Special Attention!
I would like to end this article with a tip that was sug- gested by only two persons in the AAPG publication but it is my most favored one: Visit Outcrops. Go on field trips; do field work. Listen to rocks. Remember the British geologist H. H. Read’s saying, “The best geologist is he [she] who has seen the most rocks.”
GEOLOGICAL GLOBE OF EARTH
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