…. and these ten advices ultimately came not from me! Since: 1) I’m not yet a full-time geologist 2) I’m not yet successful in this term.
So, who is the chef of the recipees?
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you one of the most distinguished man on Earth that has entered my life. His name is Mr. Didit. He is a lecturer of Paleontology (the study of fossils) in my departement. He is just soooo inspiring that on the first 5 minutes of his lecture, I am ultimately sure that he is one of my most favorite Guru I’ve ever heard! Really, Mr. Didit enter the class not only to transfer some knowledges, but also some story from an experienced international Paleontologist. He tell us, in the first place, of how to guide ourselves for the next 3 years (hopefully) in studying at Geological Engineering, so that once we “hatched”, we become a successful graduate.
So how to be a successful geologist, according to Mr. Didit?
1. Masterity on the Basics of Geology
Studying is important. Yeah, it is still important. What is your foremost quality as a geologist? It is your ability to solve geological problems. So, come to class not only for grades, but for knowledges. After all, there is no use of a shiny 3-point GPA if it does not reflect what’s inside your head!
2. Fluency in English as well as native language. Love reading very much.
The reasoning is simple: today, we live in a global world. To conquer this global world, we must speak in the global language. English!
Everytime, everywhere, a geologist has to do presentations, answer questions, discuss matters with collagues, make a deal, all of those things… in English. And it is not about translating; it is about using the language. “Actually,” Mr. Didit said to us last Monday,”the most important thing is that you can speak English. Go to hell with grammar! As long as you have confidence, you can do English.”
That’s it.
Having ability to read English texts is also a must. Every report, every publication, every good geological textbooks comes to you in English. So, what are you waiting for?
3. Computer Literate
This is serious just in his era, Mr. Didit said. This time, almost every student feels empty if his/her bag forget to contain a laptop, so we can assume that you are good already in using computer. Well, are YOU?
4. Able to communicate freely and express his/her views in written as well as in oral forms
To sum up, this point tell you that : a) you must have confidence to speak up, and b) you must have confidence to write down.
To reach point a), you can attend seminars and workshops that contain discussion section and let yourself speak up there, or you can join an organization (AAPG is a good one, in fact I am a member :D) and train your speaking-up skill.
To reach point b), you can try to do a research and send it to a journal. You can contribute a mass media, start with the local ones. As for myself, I have a simple yet effective way to train my writing, and you are reading it right now 🙂
5. Easy going yet self-disciplined, honest, hold on ethics, work smartly, and love fieldwork.
“Geological world isn’t vast,” he said, “if you go to an international seminar, you will meet those same faces again and again.”
What does that imply? If you are to be found as a dishonest person, corruptable, lazy, self-interest centered, you’re dead. No one will hire you anymore, as everybody have known your bad attitude. So, respect yourself and your dignity!
For the last point, love fieldwork, he said that he sees a decline in fighting spirit of recent graduates. Fieldwork is hard, but it is the real world and the real work! So, be careful with convenient-indirect-data pitfall. You must love visiting the real thing.
~
There are five other amazing and super-useful advices, and going down the importance is increasing dramatically.
So, do you want to be a sucessful geologist?
REALLY, I ASK YOU, DO YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL???
ARE YOU??
OH YEAH??
IF YOU REALLY ARE, don’t miss a thing in the next Saushine article! 🙂
saushine 