“WHY I WANT TO BE A GEOLOGIST.”
correctly recycling certain materials or how to appropriately dispose of certain chemicals, there are a multitude of differ- ent things that I could share with these students in order for them to positively impact their local groundwater resources. The broader impacts of science on society start with local com- munity engagement until behaviors become contagious. I want to be an integral part of making this engagement contagious. In conclusion, although ambitious, my plan consists of completing my bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2017, com- pleting my master’s in spring of 2019, and continuing with my research pursuits in the realm of hydrogeology and con-
taminant transport in order to save the world from ground- water contamination. I want to give back to the community that gave so much to me growing up. I have found my pas- sion in life and this is why I want to be a geologist.
References
Swanson, R.D., Binley, A., Keating, K., France, S., Osterman, G., Day-Lewis, F.D., Singha, K. (2015) Anomalous solute transport in saturated porous media: Relating transport model parameters to electrical and nuclear magnetic resonance properties. Water Resources Research, doi: 10.1002/2014WR015284, 20 p.
Shane Houchin, SA-8493, Pasadena City College
Geology attracted me for many reasons. I have always had a fondness for mountains and the simple desire to know more about them is what first piqued my interest in the subject. This interest grew throughout my life and in my mid-twenties I decided to return to school and pursue a career in the
natural sciences. I sought to find a career that would engage me with the natural world and the hands-on, field-centric study of geology was most enticing to an outdoor enthusiast such as myself. Before returning to school I was working as a tour guide leading camping trips in Yosemite National Park. This experience of learning about the natural history of the park, and passing that knowledge on to the guests, further swayed me towards geology as a field of study.
This ambition, to better understand our planet and to share that understanding with others, is one of the foremost reasons I want to be a geologist. I feel that through education comes appreciation, and the more understanding that people have of the dynamic interconnectedness of Earth systems, and the context of humans in them, the more they will care to move society in a sustainable direction – one integrated with natural processes as opposed to being in defiance of them.
Of the many natural science disciplines I find that geology provides the most comprehensive perspective on the Earth. Going well beyond just rocks, a geologist needs to know chem- istry, biology, meteorology, hydrology, physics, and math to decipher Earth history and relate it to the human experience. This makes a geologist particularly well equipped to educate and inform, and as the population continues to grow the need for such a holistic view of the planet is critical for sustainably securing resources and making informed decisions that will keep our civilization going into the future.
A dream of mine that combines both my background in the arts and a career in geology is to make geoscience-focused documentaries. Like David Attenborough’s Planet Earth, but with more emphasis on the rocks. I think that documentary films have a powerful ability to bring important concepts to people’s attention, to help instill an interest in nature, and to inspire a career in science.
Lastly, a more self-serving reason I am studying geology is to fuel my wonder and ceaseless inquiry of the world around me. How did that mountain get there? Why is this river here? Where will this continent be in two billion years? Why does this rock look so cool? I want to read every road cut, understand each outcrop, learn the sagas of continents, and the story of every pebble in the stream.
Jessica Jagdeo, SA-8522, University of Florida
At a young age, I would find myself exploring the outdoors. I would collect rocks and seashells while contemplat- ing their origin and development. The natural wonders of the world simply mystified me. Luckily, my parents discovered my fascination for the out- doors and encouraged it. They allowed
me to develop my enthusiasm for nature by bringing me to national parks, forests, mountains, and beaches. Some of my happiest memories involve my family and I at national parks and beaches around Florida. Although nature has always captivated me, I did not know that I could combine my love for the outdoors with my future career until I was in the eighth grade. My Earth Science teacher noticed my interest in the subject and took me aside one day to tell me that I could
16 TPG •
Jul.Aug.Sep 2017
pursue a career as a geologist. From that day forward, I have aspired to become a geologist.
I am currently studying geology as an undergraduate at the University of Florida. Through my studies, I have learned that I can use my knowledge of geology to help people better appreciate our planet. I have taught children at the Florida Museum of Natural History about minerals and sedimentary rocks and shared with them stories of the intense processes that created these rocks ages ago. Nothing was more reward- ing than seeing the bright gleam in their eyes as they tightly held onto a piece of the Earth’s past and tried to interpret its secrets. At that moment, I realized that my passion lies in sharing my love for geology with the world.
Not only can I inspire a love for geology among children by teaching them about colorful rocks, but I can also share my
www.aipg.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
