State Geologist
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Responses from State Geologist Vicki Cowart
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| How did you get interested? |
I was intrigued to be able to
combine my interest in math and physics (I have a BS in Physics) with the
outdoors. Geophysics was the perfect combination.
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| What types of jobs have
you held? |
I've worked on mining
geophysical data, very quantitative and computer-oriented. I've helped on
oil company seismic surveys, very practical, problem-solving and outdoors
oriented. And I've been an oil & gas explorationist, interpreting
seismic data, preparing prospect maps and selling those prospects to
managers and company partners - very communication oriented. I've also
worked as a marketing manager for a major oil company service provider,
and managed an offshore service district. All of these are
skills I still use today, as State Geologist. |
| What started you down your
current career path? |
My interest in combining my
science interests with public policy issues. |
| What are the positives and
negatives of your job? |
It is a fascinating job with new
things to think about and new problems every minute. That's the good and
the bad of it. Politics and policy are an ever-changing arena - there are
no firm answers, only new and better-fitting hypotheses. It's like science
in that regard. |
| What information would you
give to someone just starting in your area of interest?
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Each of the fifty states, and
Puerto Rico, has a state geological survey. Although size, structure and
responsibilities vary between states, all have some involvement and
commitment to public education and outreach. This means that wherever you
live, you may contact your state geological survey and find out more about
the geology of your state. In most cases there will be individuals on
staff willing to talk to you about the work they do and how they became a
geologist. |
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