This summer I took a pause on my life to evaluate where I wanted to end up in the long term with my career. What I was doing in environmental consulting, which was largely report-based, did not engage me in ways that I needed. I needed something more hands-on and physical with a concrete product and result. Something I could passionately sink myself into.
I approached my search thoroughly and methodically. I read career books, took evaluation tests, experimented in life coaching, and spoke with several dozen alumni-- a rewarding task, and highly recommended.
After evaluating my skill set, what kind of work environment I wanted, and the potential for rewarding future employment in different industries, I decided to focus on a career in energy, namely the oil and gas field.
Energy is something that I have always been interested in, its one of the bases off of which society runs, comes in innumerable forms. It covers a broad range of life from transportation, home, international politics, the environment, and society, to name a few. It's something that I can confidently say that I could spend a lifetime on without getting bored. And it's not going away, energy (regardless of the form) is the future.
Everyone has to start somewhere, so now I am using my background in geology and working as a mud-logger in Pennsylvania.
A mud logger is someone who collects bits of rock that brought to the surface when a drilling rig (a piece of equipment which is drilling for oil or gas) is operating. By examining the bits of rock I can determine where in the earth the drill head is going, and help the operator steer the drill towards the rocks which contains the oil and/or gas.
I am enjoying working in a position with beautiful outdoor work at very regular intervals (every 20-40 minutes) which is counterbalanced by office work updating my observations into a log. The pace is methodical and relatively non-stressful (if everything is going right). All in all not a bad job for where I am in life and what kind of work I enjoy. One of my job perks is becoming accustomed to resplendent morning sunrises.
For more information about what I do as a Mud Logger, click on one of the following links:
The rig is located in a beautiful hummocky area of northeastern Pennsylvania. The leaves are changing and are bursting with color. I am enjoying working in a position with beautiful outdoor work at very regular intervals (every 20-40 minutes) which is counterbalanced by office work updating my observations into a log. The pace is methodical and relatively non-stressful (if everything is going right). All in all not a bad job for where I am in life and what kind of work I enjoy. One of my job perks is becoming accustomed to resplendent morning sunrises.
More information about my job, and rig life to come, and hopefully I will have pictures from hiking Pennsylvania coming soon.
Let me know if you have any suggestions for books I should read in my off-time, places I should visit, questions about how I decided upon this position, or about how the wells are drilled. Thanks!
P.S. Call me crazy, but I am only 5 hours from Niagara Falls, I see water in my future.
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| View from the "office." |
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| One of many gorgeous sunrises |
