Geophysics, Heck Yeah

Volunteering to recruit future geophysics majors!

Nearing the end of my third semester, I'm finally getting out of the bulk of core classes everyone has to take here. Gone are the days of building water filters for freshman EPICS design, Chem lab, writing environmental ethics papers, and soon Econ Portal. Next semester I'll be in Human Systems (a social studies class which will be my "fun" class), but the rest of my classes pertain to my major- Theory of Fields I: Static Fields, EPICS II for Geophysics, and Java. I'll be in Differential Equations of course, and I'll be working towards my minor as I take Linear Algebra. What an adventure it will be indeed.

It's been great fun in Introduction to Geophysics this semester. I've gotten to see all the different possibilities of applications for Geophysics: oil/gas, mining,  water, geothermal, agriculture, geohazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides, and so much more. I don't know what I want to do with  my degree yet, but I'm sure finding out will be awesome. Geohazards fascinate me right now (except landslides).

Another great aspect of Intro has been meeting more of the cool people in my major. I know a few from freshman year (and we all walk together from Intro to Geology and sit in the front row, heh), but the kids I've  met this year confirm my theory that geophysicists are the coolest and happiest people on campus. Us 30 (yep, 30 even) Class of 2015'ers are gonna learn a lot and have a lot of fun in the coming semesters.

I volunteered the other weekend to represent the Geophysics department at Preview Mines, an event for prospective students. It's funny because just two years ago I applied as a Physics major to Mines, but changed my mind after the department tour. The students that were sophomores then are now seniors. Scary. But it was cool, I got to talk about why I chose Geophysics and why I love it here.

Honestly, it's the people. Like I said, my classmates are cool, upperclassmen are really awesome offering advice and making you feel welcome, and the professors are super helpful. Everyone makes everyone feel at home. That's probably the secret as to why geophysicists, the few, the unknown, the awesome, are one of the happiest majors at Mines. Doing what you love working with great people.

Now if Green Center could grow a few windows...I'd be even more stoked about spending three years there.