Top Five Lessons Learned as a Non-Geologist Working in Geology
I didn’t know what to expect when I moved down to Charleston last October. I had never heard of the College of Charleston until I decided I wanted to live in Charleston. And Geology was a class I barely remembered taking in college to fulfill my undergrad requirement more than ten years ago. And now here I was…the new Office Manager for the department.
Wow, was I in for a treat! I am constantly amazed, awed, and surprised at what goes on in this department – even if I don’t always understand the geological aspect of it. In fact, every morning I get an email with a Geology word of the day and I normally don’t even know half of the terms in the definition. Luckily, this has only piqued my interest more. I can’t wait to share some of the amazing things that go on at the College of Charleston’s Geology Department.
So for my first blog…here are the top five lessons I have learned as a non-geologist working in geology, thus far:
1) Geology is more than just rocks!
It’s global change, evolution, fossils, shore erosion, seafloor mapping, earthquakes, volcanoes, water resources, pollution, remote sensing, planetary geology, and TONS of other things! Keep reading future blogs to find out more.
2) Don’t tell geologists that you don’t like bones
Because they’ll wind up on your desk. Or on top of your candy jar! YUCK! Now I have a bunch of bones outside my desk, although I have to admit that the “daddy” pteranodon is growing on me…
Pteranodon family with “dad” flying in the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building (SSMB) Atrium.
3) Geologists know how to party!
We’ve had parties for the opening of exhibits, close of exhibits, birthdays, guest speakers, awards, a successful year, and graduation! One party even featured a custom-brewed, geologically named beer – IMPACT! IPA thanks to Holy City Brewing.
4) Geology humor can be very funny (even to non-geologists)
This will make even a non-geologist laugh!
5) Geology Rocks!
There are AMAZING students, WONDERFUL professors, CELEBRATIONS, a LAID BACK atmosphere, ALWAYS excitement.
So you have an idea of what’s to come in this Geology blog, here are some future topics:
- Student & professor spotlights
- Course spotlights
- Upcoming guest speakers & events
- Recaps of cool events with links to great photos
- Equipment spotlights
- What graduates are to now
- Rock/Specimen spotlights
- Student & Professor Kudos!
- Neat things students & professors are presenting
- Guest posts on all things Geologic!
Stay tuned for more blogs! “Like” our Facebook page for day-to-day humor and excitement. I’ll make sure to link it to new blog posts.
History, News | Stacey Yanagawa, 28 Aug 12 | 
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