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In the vast realm of academia, where each discipline unveils the mysteries of our world, there exists a unique breed of enthusiasts drawn to the study of rocks, minerals, and the dynamic processes that shape our planet. Meet Japheth Samuel, a passionate science nerd who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology, embarking on a journey that transcends the conventional boundaries of learning.
Japheth’s fascination with geology began at an early age, fuelled by a childhood spent exploring rocky terrains and collecting curious-looking stones. As it relates to his education, he attended Bush Lot Secondary and was a science student. In August 2019, he participated in the Ministry of Natural Resources Youth in Natural Resources Apprentice Programme (YNR), representing Region Five. As a participant of the programme, he was given the opportunity to experience Guyana’s interior regions, learn about the natural resources sector and job opportunities in these sectors. He also travelled through Guyana’s dense rainforest to mining camps in Regions Two and Seven seeing for himself how precious and semi-precious minerals are extracted from the earth.
He also interacted with mentors and professionals who will share their knowledge and experiences of working in extractive industries including in the oil and gas sector. That programme as well as his high school journey also assisted in fuelling Japheth’s curiosity leading him to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology.
His academic journey was nothing short of an odyssey through the Earth’s layers, from the surface to the depths of its molten core. The curriculum, though challenging, became a playground for Samuel’s curiosity. Field trips became treasured adventures, allowing him to apply classroom knowledge to real-world geological formations, igniting a profound connection between theory and practice.
Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology, Japheth now stands at the threshold of a promising career. The options are diverse, ranging from environmental consulting to resource exploration. The geological knowledge acquired over the years positions Samuel as a steward of the Earth, ready to contribute to sustainable practices and the responsible management of natural resources.
When asked, why he chose geology as his field of study, he said, “It was curiosity about the study field, I mean the name had exploration in it, and I love a good adventure, so it tied in with my personality where I’d not only get to be in a laboratory, being a science nerd but also with a change of scenery being in the fields climbing mountains, exploring new terrains, outcrops and really beautiful scenery that you only get once in a lifetime…… What sets geology apart for me is its interdisciplinary nature. It’s not just about studying rocks; it’s about understanding the interconnected systems that have shaped our planet over geological time scales.”
He also mentioned, “the prospect of piecing together the puzzle of Earth’s history and contributing to our knowledge of natural phenomena, from earthquakes to climate change, motivated me to take this academic path. Pursuing a degree in geology is not just a career choice; it’s a journey of exploration, discovery, and a commitment to understanding the intricate workings of our planet, and also the ability for it to fit in the exploration sector as well as the oil and gas and truthfully it intrigued me that one degree could possibly be applicable in two places was certainly interesting.”
He described his university experience as challenging but also fun, as he had sleepless nights going into the early morning hours just to finish his lab(s) or to submit an assignment on time. “The lengthy hybrid classes. Having to do aspects of chemistry and physics. Integrating knowledge from different fields was a complete challenge in itself while balancing coursework, assignments, and exams. Believe me, university life can become a lot. But for me, requesting assistance from someone that would’ve gone through the field before me was a major help. And constantly having to fail at something to eventually get it in the end, because truly, that’s my story,” he said.
He often doubted whether it’s really worth it, but he persevered, as he never forgot why he began in the first place. As a Christian, he prays frequently and asks God for strength.
When asked for advice, Samuel said, “If you wish to pursue a career or study exploration geology, you need to have a curiosity for the field, or at least that adventurous spirit, should love the great outdoors because it can be so rewarding, the places you travel, to the scenery, to observe even the work itself is thrilling both in the field and office, but this goes for any area or field you wanna pursue, it should be something that relates to you as an individual so that even through the academic journey, you might wanna quit or come so close to giving up the passion is what will drive you as well as your passion for the career.”
Further, he added, “Make connections and form bonds; you cannot go through university alone you need some sort of bond, whether it be lecturer or peer, I mean maybe you can but it will be exhausting physically, and on a mental level those bonds will help you to take some of that pressure off help you to see and approach things from a different lens. Also, it really is important to have a support system whether it be family a close friend or whatever that suits, calms and grounds you, because university can be overwhelming, it can feel like you’re going under and when that happens normally, one needs to take a step back have a breather and have another go at it.”
In the future Japheth plans to further his studies, as he hopes to expand his horizons to the oil and gas sector to gain the appropriate experience and education. However, for now he will be focusing on the exploration sector of his career, as he’ll apply what he would have learned and grasp what he can along the way.
Samuel’s graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology marks not just the end of an academic chapter but the beginning of a lifelong journey into studying the depths of the Earth. This science nerd, with a heart full of curiosity, has become a custodian of geological knowledge, poised to make a meaningful impact on the world. As we celebrate Japheth’s achievements, we are reminded of the profound beauty and complexity that lie beneath our feet, waiting to be unearthed by those with the passion to explore.
