Student Career Panel addresses industry "crew change" head-on
By Chris Posey
Students from across the world gathered to hear insights offered by two industry leaders in the field of geophysics. More than 120 career-oriented geosciences students converged on the Hyatt Grand Texas Ballroom on Monday afternoon, 19 September, on the first official day of the 2011 SEG International Exposition and 81st Annual Meeting, to hear what leaders in the field had to say about future employment in the constantly-growing geophysics industry.
The Panel began with a presentation by Pascal Breton, Head of University Liaisons – E&P, for Total. Breton, who himself started his career as a geophysicist engineer in France, posed the question to the student audience, "What Energy Future?" Breton's outlook for those pursuing careers in the geophysics industry was a positive one, as he noted that the global demand and future need for oil and gas provides great potential for interesting and long-lasting career opportunities. Breton went on to articulate the role of energy in the world and its evolution over time. He focused specifically on oil production and pricing throughout history. Breton then turned his focus to the necessity of geoscientists and geologists in solving impending issues of conservation, reserves, normalization, and peak oil management and preparation. Those who will meet this need were indeed the very participants of this second annual Student Career Panel. This cadre of geophysics talent will be necessarily responsible for engaging these challenges in the future. In addition, knowledge of and comfort with new technologies will be an essential trait for new geophysicists.
Much of the Q&A that followed Breton's presentation focused on political and social issues that directly affect oil and gas exploration, production, refining, and marketing. Students also asked about the future of alternative energy sources such as solar power and biomass. In response to questions about exploration in new areas of the world not commonly explored throughout history, Breton turned the focus back to the universities and students, noting that the industry looks to future geophysicists to flesh out these opportunities.
William (Bill) Doll of Battelle, Oak Ridge Operations, in Oak Ridge, TN, followed with a presentation on "Trends and Career Opportunities in Near Surface Geophysics." Doll discussed geophysics in a changing world and the implications for the industry in future years. He commented on how near-surface geophysics has moved from creating very simple models to the creation of very complex models.
Doll concluded his presentations with his Lettermanesque Top Ten Reasons to Consider a Career in Near-Surface Geophysics, which included:
10. You are concerned about people and the environment.
9. You like to work outdoors.
8. You don't like roller coasters.
7. You want to meet some really nice people.
6. You want to work for the most indebted organization on earth (the US Gov't).
5. You detest profit-driven industries.
4. You are thirsty.
3. You believe that King Hubbert's 1956 prediction [about peak oil] could negatively impact your career.
2. You don't want to live in Texas.
Doll intentionally left the tenth reason off of the presentation, in homage to one of his former professors who taught that in geophysics, analysis is generally inconclusive one out of 10 times.
Students responded to Doll's presentation with questions that focused specifically on the topic at hand, near surface geophysics. Doll spent a good amount of time addressing issues pertaining to the question of the relevant geophysical connections, and especially that of the potential for growth in future connections between near surface geophysics and petroleum exploration.
At the conclusion of the Panel, each panelist was presented with a commemorative SEG pen.
View the Student Career Panel photo gallery
Go to the 2011 Annual Meeting news overview
