Water Well Journal
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/629532
drilling process and how the native rock looks once it is drilled. We took time to think about the pro- fessional work product and to under- stand the importance of doing good quality fieldwork. Because, without good fieldwork and good data, all other subsequent use of the data will be invalid and they would be directly responsible. During the last portion of the class, as we discussed various topics, I dis- played a few hard-won drill site tips for them to contemplate. Some of my favorites: • Understand the basics of the chosen drilling method prior to going into the field • Be respectful of the driller and crew • Ensure you and the driller have the same scope of work with the same expectations • Know the drill stem lengths • Do not work with your back to the rig • Listen to the sound of the drilling rig • Do not taste or inhale the samples • And my favorite: Get out of the car, stay off your phone, and work the samples. There were several good technical questions concerning geoscience and drilling techniques, but for the most part, the students were deeply concerned with potential employment opportuni- ties. Many of the students entered the geoscience degree program at the height of the energy boom with aspirations of high wages and long-term careers. It is amazing how fast things change and yet how much they stay the same. Parting Thoughts We as professionals spend a consid- erable amount of time focusing on our day-to-day business with the occasional opportunity to learn something new and few opportunities to give back. In the course of your career, can you remem- ber any special someone who took time from his or her very busy career to stop and explain a complicated concept or reach out a hand to a struggling fellow professional? Can you remember the last time you did it? I was not sure about teaching a course at a university, but the students and professors reminded me how impor- tant it is for professionals to interact with the next generation. Just as we were once the recipients of guidance from the previous professional genera- tion, it is important for us to pass it along and give back to the next. References Straub, Raymond L. Jr. 2015. "Angelo State University Department of Geo- sciences: Drill Site Geology—Out- crop Geology on a Smaller Scale." San Angelo, Texas: Straub Corp. 23. WWJ Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG, is the president of Straub Corp. in Stanton, Texas, a Texas-registered geoscience firm and specialized ground- water services firm. He is a Texas-licensed professional geo- scientist and holds master driller licenses in Texas and New Mexico and a master pump installer license in Texas. He can be reached at raymond@straubcorporation.com. Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ February 2016 27 age ack ting P LED Ligh Servic inch e W c TH A DU e or , F 9 7 e 19 Sinc ed on the er deliv o t tinue on c y he T tivit oduc o the pr t a or F . orldwide w i l ' h T E ORIGINAL Y ARY TAR AL RO e v otary drills ha s Dual R ' t mos e ormanc er perf t t omise of be pr tribution on c t significan e mak o or t a y of oper ofitabilit y and pr t s or t ac tr on c of number wing o gr d ill t t t b e . e s s s, orth T800W w Hy 50 T Elec w en m K 25 X 5 ummins IS C T 3 / 900 omp Air C Oiler ARD FEAT ANDA TA S en ilt Out asing v on C o RC T d T y e op Driv To C TURES tional/ or n e p Driv t ota R DR-24HD DR-12 OREMO F s simply no e' her T D DR-24 DR-40 T DR S O LINE-UP o drill. y t a er w t t be t Oiler clone Moun y C clone optiona y c ( g l) 4" 2 " DIA DR-24HD o learn mor To learn mor To learn mor 1.9190 .66 1.800 Canada/U ( D visit DR-40 e r f , visit e r ca/DR t. emos or f .S.A.) ada/U 5.5800 3.29 1.40 orldwide (Wo R e) e