Soon to be geology graduate

Even found some free pyrite

Yeah I'm getting a certificate is GIS through my university. And with all this down time on the rig I figure I can practice more since I get free semester long license through school. And can even practice with Q GIS which is more user friendly program for GIS in my opinion. I think arcgis is just too powerful for what I've needed it for in school. Alot of input needed for a simple output. Where qgis seems to be easier.

 

Right on, sounds like you are thinking ahead. ArcGIS is not really intuitive, but once you pick it up your golden. I have played with the free QGIS, but at least from my experience (consulting, infrastructure, transportation, water districts, renewable energy, etc) , where I have had geology counterparts both us and our clients always used ArcGIS. Perhaps I am wrong, but not sure if many large industries/companies use QGIS. If so, it may be better to put your time into ArcGIS being that is the software that will likely be used by your future employers. QGIS is good and free, but ArcGIS/ESRI is the best. Especially how they are moving forward with field collection/reference in the field via the cloud (Collector, Survey123, etc. applications) replacing the arcpad of the past. Maybe QGIS does have cloud components for use in the field?
My bet is your future employers will use ArcGIS. Something to think about, ask your colleagues, and mentors about before putting all your time into QGIS. My recommendation is double down on ArcGIS.

 

With QGIS, and even HGIS, I see them more in the University research arena. You manage your data via python and present your very pretty correlations through QGIS and HGIS or make your pretty multi layer maps and charts of your data in QGIS and HGIS. For those in the "publish or perish" world of university research, QGIS & HGIS are amazing. It just goes to the level needed for publication. For those in industry, ArcGIS is the gold standard since more levels are needed.

I recommend attending an ESRI ArcGIS conference if you can. They're pricey, but if you're an intern at some sort of federal facility (USGS, USDA, ARS, NRCS, LBNL, DOE, DOD, DOH, Cal-Trans, etc...) they get invites for free. That is how me and my team attended the San Diego ESRI conference for many years.

 

Well said. Yes, I am industry so I may be biased for ArcGIS.

 

3 weeks in the Schell Creek Range (east of Ely, NV). 1 week around Baker, UT (camped in Great Basin NP, fieldwork at Old Man's Canyon and Hendry's Creek). 2 weeks in the Eastern Sierras just outside Lee Vining, camped off Tioga Pass (other groups did field work to the south, but my group was in Toiyabe National Forest around Dunderberg Peak). Awesome six weeks. Got free drinks at a bar in Ely (bartender used to work at a bar in downtown San Jose I frequented at the time) and almost got kicked out of the casino.

 

Regarding ArcGIS, I took classes in it (and also MatLab) in college. Never had to use either for work, sadly.

Also haven't had to use a Jacob's staff, and I'm lucky to break out the Brunton for more than two projects per year.

 

That being said, got a fault location investigation job starting up in two weeks (and possibly another shortky after), so life is good.

(I fully expect to not see any evidence of Holocene faulting, which the client would certainly appreciate, but still... fun times ahead.)

 

Go to work for the USGS and figure what's going on in Owens Valley near the Eastern Sierra's !!!!!

 

I miss going out to Owens Valley. Had so many awesome trips out there.

 

Work for any local waterboard and the use up geologist like crazy. Water management data sets and local spacial mapping of agricultural fields is all ArcGIS stuff and surveys.

 

As in the agencies issuing 401s? Never. Atleast our regional board is very difficult to work with. CDFW, USFWS, NMFS, and ACOE can all agree and be reasonable on mitigation ... Our local SFRWQCB does not play ball well and changes their stance of what is within their jurisdiction project by project. Im probably just biased and being a dick because the regulators I work with are difficult. Maybe a geologist gig would be great there.

 

Absolutely true. Regional boards always have an agenda are I have found to be more political and more difficult than state legislators. They change their mind every month, have no idea what's going on in their own district, and don't understand any form of practical implementation towards the direction they state is best. BUT, the aspect of them changing their minds = job security. You will always be redoing work in a similar manner, but towards a different theme. You'll be waffling and waiting for direction. Don't worry about the mission since the mission will change month by month. Focus on the steady paycheck and developing your skills in an environment that allows for latitude and personal self improvement. It's not about achieving a collective goal, it's about what can be best for the individual. Think about it this way, you're coming into a guaranteed paycheck in a work environment where no one really knows what's going on. Keep your head down. Achieve your quotas and work proficiencies, but remember you're there to gain experience. If you're a self motivator that is personally accountable, you can achieve so much in a relatively short time because you're in a stable, albeit, boring environment. This is how a majority of the state is ran, so learn early on what it takes to operate on the government level where you can have some grace and be in an environment that you're really in control, but doesn't seem like it.

 

Well @rocklobster2008 I wish I seen this thread sooner.

I’m a geologist myself and started mudlogging eleven years ago. I’m based out of Texas too and cut my teeth on the Gulf Coast deepwater, jack ups, barges, swamps, Texas brush heaps, and Louisiana. These days I work internationally as a wellsite geologist, probably what the recruiter sold you, but not. Pm me any time if you have any questions or need any guidance.