We have now published over 50 Personal Record interviews, allowing us a glimpse into the varied careers and private lives of professionals working in our geoscience and engineering community. Here is just a brief selection of some memorable quotes from the archive.
Advice for young geoscientists
Give, expect, and demand respect. If you ever witness or experience something drastic as discrimination or sexual harassment, seek help and speak out. Don’t shy away from the larger challenges. Be curious and follow your passions. Explore the idea of being paid for what could be your hobby.
Adriana Citali Ramirez, chief geophyscisit, TGS and artist/poet
Personal inspiration
On my first night in hospital, blinded with shrapnel, a nurse read the following passage to me from The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino: ‘I will persist until I succeed. I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep, waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep ….’
Andrew Long, PGS (now TGS) on recovering from survey accident
Lifetime conclusion
After years of exhausting effort, I have reached a conclusion .... My message is that the idealism of the young age has surrendered to the realism of the old age.
Oz Yilmaz, CTO, GeoTomo, author of seismic processing reference works
Challenging beginnings
I was born and raised in Ndwedwe, one of the poor rural villages in South Africa. I had a tough early childhood. My father died when I was two years old, leaving my mother to raise me and my five siblings from her low income as a domestic worker. Though my mother did not have an opportunity to go to school she worked hard to instil discipline and the importance of education in my life. So she was my greatest strength and true inspiration.
Musa Manzi, associate professor in geophysics, University of Witswatersrand
Invention(s) most proud of?
It’s hard to pick one of my children …
Doug Crice, owner, Geostuff
Working in oil industry
It did take me almost 10 years to feel good about what I do. As a biologist, I felt like I was working for the dark side! What changed was understanding how energy access is essential to pull people out of extreme poverty and feeling like I was able to make a real change …
Daniella Bordon, global ESG manager, BGP Offshore
Lessons from sport for geoscience
To be successful in sport you need to work hard, and be dedicated and persistent over long periods of time with no instant gratification. You should never be content with past glory but always strive for improvement. Another lesson is that no matter how talented and hard-working you are, you will never succeed alone.
Vetle Vinje, CGG (now Viridien) and Olympic rowing silver medallist
Everyday life in Kyiv
I witnessed the aftermath of an attack drone just 200 metres from my home. Eleven flats were damaged serving as a stark reminder of the proximity of danger. From our shelters, we hear the reverberations of hundreds of explosions in various parts of the city.
Dmitry Bobheza, EAGE office, Kyiv
Prospects for students
I always encourage students to study what they think is fun. What they actually will work with will sort itself out eventually. Doing what you think is exciting will take you there.
Johan Robertsson, professor applied geophysics, ETH-Zurich
Can activism affect change?
It is the only thing that can affect change.
Richard Pancost, professor of biochemistry, University of Bristol
Advice to young entrepreneurs
Gain experience, do a job, work for a boss. From a practical perspective, not everyone can drop out of college and be Mark Zuckerberg, as we often have family and financial responsibilities that have to be balanced with entrepreneurship.
Nina Hernandez, Iraya Energies
Do geology and music relate?
I’ll spare you the obvious plays on the word ‘rock’. But really, I don’t separate them in my mind. Both require creativity and imagination…
Tony Dore, Ex-Equinor and professional musicianPole position
To me pole (dance) is a sport that challenges my body every day just like petrophysics challenges my brain every day. In my job interview the pole was behind me and I think I introduced myself as ‘I’m, Zoë, I love rocks and pole’. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – life is better upside down.
Zoë Cumberpatch, petrophysicist, Equinor
