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Brigham Young University-Idaho geology
students gained experience and recognition at the American
Association for Petroleum Geologists Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
in October.
Six students accompanied instructor William Little to the
Rendezvous at the University of Wyoming. Twenty-four of the
largest oil companies in the United States sponsored the event
in search of graduate students as future employees. The primary
intent was for undergraduates to gain interview experience and
practical knowledge about the industry from the AAPG conference.
The small group from BYU-Idaho made favorable impressions on the
recruiters in attendance. “The employers were so impressed with
our students’ professional attitudes and communication skills.
[The students’] attire and demeanor meant business, and they
would look you in the eye and talk with you,” said Little.
Students Mark Millard and
Clayton
Painter presented original
research from their senior theses as part of the conference.
Millard’s project, which studied how the deformation of volcanic
rock near the Teton Dam contributed to its failure in 1976, took
second place competing against M.S. and Ph.D. projects.
For his thesis project, Millard spent every day at the Teton Dam
site during the summer, taking measurements and building models
of the underground rock. “It was pretty fun, except for the
rattlesnakes,” Millard said.
The BYU-Idaho students all interviewed with multiple companies
and graduate programs at the Rendezvous, and the seniors
received offers for internships and future employment. Contacts
were also established for future undergraduate internships.
Little was astounded by the success of the students. “I did not
anticipate the kind of reception we received, and was in awe
over the manner in which our students stood out,” he said. He
believes the BYU-Idaho students were so successful not because
of their geological ability, but because of their character.
“I believe it comes down to the professional and moral manner in
which they conducted themselves, their professional and neat
appearance, and their excellent communication skills,” Little
said. “These are the things that set them apart.” |