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GeneralWhat do my fellow rockhounds do career wise?

26th Apr 2018 10:28 UTCJako Schonken

Hi All

This is continuation of a popular thread on The Rockhound Connection's Facebook group - credit to Savannah Nicole.

I work as a Ground Penetrating Radar Technician in Cape Town, South Africa.

In what line of work are you?

26th Apr 2018 10:48 UTCErik Vercammen Expert

I am now retired, but I used to be a civil servant on the Flemish Ministery of Welfare (I studied sociology).

26th Apr 2018 11:42 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Chartered Accountant (bit like a US CPA)

26th Apr 2018 13:09 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

Retired but worked previously as a mine geologist.

26th Apr 2018 14:34 UTCPeter Megaw 🌟 Manager

Still active as an exploration geologist. But geology is not a career...it is a lifestyle!

26th Apr 2018 15:39 UTCDonald B Peck Expert

I was a science teacher, Chem, physics, and geology. And a textbook writer.

26th Apr 2018 15:42 UTCTony Albini

I am retired now, but was a science teacher and taught Geology, etc. and worked in the environmental industry cleaning up contaminated sites in the US.

26th Apr 2018 15:57 UTCGregg Little 🌟

Like Peter M. I'm still active and it is definitely a life style. I work field exploration in both oil & gas and mining industries. Only from 1979 to 1987 was I working in the city I resided in, so most of my career involved extensive travelling ....... and a patient spouse!

26th Apr 2018 16:28 UTCTed Hadley

Now retired, former electronics and software engineer in Silicon Valley, CA

26th Apr 2018 16:55 UTCTimothy Greenland

Retired researcher in bio-medical science (especially viral evolution)

Tim

26th Apr 2018 17:00 UTCJon Aurich

Retired contractor. I own the famous Florence, Rustler #2, Red King Fraction, Red King and Pan Handle Mines that are in Goldfield Nevada. I maintain the historic buildings that are on the properties and I still find High Grade Epithermal Sulphide and Gold specimens.

26th Apr 2018 17:14 UTCRichard Gunter Expert

Retired mineralogist in the non-metallic minerals industry. I was lucky enough to do mineralogy for a living. Greg and Peter are correct; it is a lifestyle.

26th Apr 2018 17:43 UTCNick Gilly

I'm a QC laboratory technician for a flavour ingredients manufacturing company.

26th Apr 2018 17:50 UTCScott Rider

I see quite of lot of careers in science... I may be the one of the few non-scientists on this thread!!

Commercial insurance underwriter, specializing in housing and real estate.

26th Apr 2018 17:55 UTCJohn R. Montgomery 🌟 Expert

Studied theology... retired clergy...started to collect in 2011 after returning "from the mountain" ( a biblical theme) ... in my case it was Everest... and got my first crystal in Kathmandu.

26th Apr 2018 19:30 UTCSteven Kuitems Expert

General Dentist still active and enjoying the work

26th Apr 2018 20:37 UTCChristian Auer 🌟 Expert

Working for the Geological Survey of Austria.

26th Apr 2018 20:42 UTCTom Klinepeter

Semi retired but still work part time as a baker and a call firefighter.

26th Apr 2018 20:42 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

Yup, lots of science & tech people. I'm a hospital emergency department technician (17 years), now also trying my hand at some clinical research; formerly taught high school math & computer programming; more formerly, long-term seasonal ranger in U.S. National Park Service.

26th Apr 2018 20:46 UTCJohannes Swarts

Project manager at TomTom - vehicle navigation, fleet logisitics, etc. Been there 32 years.

Not yet retired...

26th Apr 2018 20:55 UTCGary Weinstein

45 years as a Rock Shop owner, Gem and Mineral dealer and Jeweler/ repair person/ gem cutter, etc.

26th Apr 2018 21:19 UTCRobert Rothenberg

Retired teacher of Accounting and Law; also some practice of both; also wrote a textbook.

26th Apr 2018 21:30 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Let's see, the last twenty years of retirement I've operated an assay lab (still trying to get rid of that equipment); concurrently operated a custom B & W film lab; managed both small & large photofinishing labs; was a medical photographer, a consulting photofinishing engineer, etc. Digital retired me!! Have been a mineral collector continuously since 1955. Emily Dickenson said it best: "I'm nobody, who are you; Are you nobody, too?"

26th Apr 2018 21:46 UTCSara Hamilton

I am a GIA student, gem cutter, and apprentice bench jeweler!

26th Apr 2018 21:53 UTCJeff Weissman Expert

I make and use industrial minerals and related materials.

27th Apr 2018 00:24 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Professor of GeoSciences at a local community college, professional photographer, and currently writing a book on the geology of Michigan, in addition to updating one of the Roadside Geology series of books and assisting with two other geology books........ whew!!!!!!

27th Apr 2018 00:46 UTCKeith Wood

I am chief geologist for mine site exploration at a large gold mine in Nevada.

27th Apr 2018 00:59 UTCEverett Harrington Expert

Maintenance Tech in a glass factory, going on 24 years, owner of Minerals Plus. Paul, if you need anything on that Michigan geology book in southwest lower MI let me know!

27th Apr 2018 01:34 UTCDoug Daniels

Spent 8 years as a geophysicist in oil & gas, 14 years as a geologist in environmental investigations, 4 years teaching geology at a community college. Presently working in retail... not the best, but it helps pay the bills.

27th Apr 2018 02:24 UTCJerry Cone 🌟 Expert

I taught Math and Computer Science at the Middle School level for 28 years, now retired.

27th Apr 2018 02:55 UTCJohn Sobolewski 🌟 Expert

Retired university vice president and a professor of electrical engineering and computer science. Mineral collecting allowed me to keep my sanity working at Universities in the USA.

27th Apr 2018 05:05 UTCJim Allen

Mining lawyer, former metallurgical engineer.

27th Apr 2018 06:35 UTCJessica Guichard (2)

I work in a potato chip factory as a QA lab technician. I went to college for art, but dropped out. I feel dumb compared to everyone else here.

27th Apr 2018 06:55 UTCDale Foster Manager

Qualified mining geologist, working in a consultancy dealing with the legacy of historic mining mainly in Cornwall and Devon.

27th Apr 2018 11:25 UTCSusan Robinson

I have a degree in geology and I am still illustrating minerals and wildlife, especially birds, in my paintings. I worked over 15,000 hours as a voluntary assistant curator with minerals.

27th Apr 2018 11:28 UTCVincenzo Ragone

I work as an Exploration Manager for an oil company

27th Apr 2018 13:06 UTCAchille Sorlini

Hi, I got a Msc in mining engineering.

I'm working as OHS manager for the new railway line between France and Italy,

one of the longest tunnel in the world.

27th Apr 2018 13:48 UTCLuís Martins 🌟

Facade engineer in a consultancy in London, UK

27th Apr 2018 14:29 UTCGail Dunning Expert

Metallurgical engineer for GE for 42 years, retired in 2002. Started collecting minerals in 1956 during college and still studying them. I did a lot of ore microscopy, SEM/EDS work on minerals, developed my own classification of minerals and especially interested in Barium silicate mineralogy and mercury mineral paragenesis. Still active in mineralogy, although slowing down a bit. "Thank God this is only a hobby." This quote is from the late Fen Cooper. Too much to do, so little time left.

27th Apr 2018 14:38 UTCGeorg Graf

Studied mining engineering, worked many years in chemical factories. Since some years I am working in an engineering company, engaged with ore dressing, esp. iron ores. (Hobby geologist and mineralogist since I was 12.)

27th Apr 2018 15:41 UTCDoug Schonewald

Worked as a Planner, Scheduler, & Materials Management (for Special Projects and Maintenance) at a large photovoltaic (solar cell) polycrystalline silicon manufacturing company. Originally the company was formed to produce electronic grade (computer chip) polycrystalline silicon. Retired since 2011.

Rekindled a childhood interest in rocks and minerals when I retired (I still have my childhood collection). I am light-years behind, compared to the many here who have been in the mineralogy or geology work, and/or collecting, in knowledge; but, the learning is what makes this hobby so interesting and fulfilling.

27th Apr 2018 17:16 UTCTony L. Potucek Expert

I am a retired geological engineer dividing my time between Idaho and the White Mountains of Arizona. I started mineral collecting at 8 years of age. The only time I come out of retirement is to map underground mines.

27th Apr 2018 18:47 UTCAndy Stevens

I am a gemologist and jewelry QA technician.

27th Apr 2018 18:52 UTCGregg Little 🌟

Jessica Guichard (2); Don't feel less about your level of knowledge here, at least you went to art school. My favorite quote in this situation, "where there is beauty, there is science and where science, there's beauty".

27th Apr 2018 18:53 UTCGeoff Van Horn Expert

I'm retired. My last career was as a radiation safety officer and radiation maintenance specialist, servicing well logging sources and linear accelerators. Now I grow carnivorous plants, raise my kids and no longer experience over exposures to neutron radiation. A fair trade in my book.

27th Apr 2018 19:45 UTCDennis Tryon

I'm retired. My degree was in geology, but my working career was in geophysics, working for seismic contractors as an employee or a consultant. Got to travel to numerous countries, some pretty and some pretty awful, but enjoyed it all.

27th Apr 2018 22:58 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

Self employed all but two years of my working life, studying biological sciences in entemology and herpetology in school before discovering minerals, manufacturing sample mineral collections, rock and gift shop until we retired about 6 years ago and recently reopened our old store and part museum.

27th Apr 2018 23:55 UTCWilliam W. Besse Expert

My first job was doing quality control, mostly XRD and XRF, on ore and processed materials for a ceramic company. Then I went to work for a mineral dealer for over 20 years. The owner of the company said he was going to sell out and retire (never did) so I got a job with a consulting company in I.T. Retired in 2010, except for making maps for Rocks & Minerals magazine, which I have been doing since 1997.

28th Apr 2018 15:17 UTCMartin Rich Expert

A lot of scientific background here, so I want change this! :)

Have a higher education in agriculture and have my own dairy farm, so I'm a CEO, quality manager, safety inspector, worker, engeneer etc. in one person. Since my childhood I'm interested in nature in general and minerals in special and collecting minerals sice this time without interruption. Self educated in minerals, geology, mining history,... Have hundreds of books and tons of scientific papers about this themes.

However, be always curous!

28th Apr 2018 15:48 UTCRoger Curry

I'm not working now because of a health problem, but for the last six and a half years I worked for just over the minimum wage, on an assembly line making lawnmowers.

Cheers,

Rog

28th Apr 2018 20:39 UTCDouglas Merson 🌟 Expert

United State Navy from September 1966 through July 1987 followed by 20 years at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as machinist specializing in submarine hydraulics. Retired from shipyard in June 2010. Now 71 and have been collecting for 63 years.

29th Apr 2018 05:42 UTCVictoria Massaro

Currently a student of Geoscience. Before that I worked here and there and everywhere from fast food to payroll dept., but I have always loved learning about rocks gems and minerals and started collecting when I was around the age of 5.

29th Apr 2018 05:59 UTCJessica Guichard (2)

Gregg Little Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jessica Guichard (2); Don't feel less about your

> level of knowledge here, at least you went to art

> school. My favorite quote in this situation,

> "where there is beauty, there is science and where

> science, there's beauty".

Admittedly, when I started collecting as a teen, I didn't really care about anything but the aesthetics. Now I appreciate the science behind minerals, and wish I kept better track of locations. And when I did start to keep track, I lost most of my labels when I moved into an apartment with my then future husband. I've slowly been trying to figure out locations, and this website has been a TREMENDOUS help!

29th Apr 2018 14:34 UTCFrank Karasti 🌟 Expert

Homer Simpson for US Steel Corp, 30 years. A large taconite mine/processing plant in N. Minnesota. Worked in the mine for a year and collected specimens on lunch break!

Retired in 2001, been traveling and collecting ever since.

29th Apr 2018 17:11 UTCBrent Thorne Expert

Since 1979 I worked as a Hospital Pharmacist at several different Hospitals. For a few years, I was a Director of a Hospital Pharmacy in California. In 2011, I retired and started collecting minerals as much as I can. Ever since I was 6 years old I have been interested in minerals. I have taken several classes in Geology from the University of Utah. My passion is collecting and identifying minerals and taking photographs of my specimens.

29th Apr 2018 19:24 UTCMatt Neuzil Expert

Bachelor's in geology, manage fast service restaurant. Been collecting for 20 years.

1st May 2018 13:14 UTCAndré Heyninck

456/5000

My interest in minerals came through my profession. I worked in the construction industry as an electrician and asked me what kind of material a copper wire or stub iron was made of. So I discovered the beauty of minerals and started with a collection. Very interesting because I learned a lot about minerals and chemistry and made many trips and friends through my hobby. You certainly should not be a geologist to build a nice collection.

1st May 2018 15:38 UTCAlex Homenuke 🌟 Expert

Retired geological engineer. Worked ("played") in the junior mining exploration arena. Last eight years as a regulator responsible for reviewing content of mining news releases in Canada, which was surprisingly rewarding work. Raised at a small silver mine in Northern British Columbia and spent my high school summers working at mines and diamond drilling. Love of minerals and mining history came naturally. To echo Peter Megaw from early in this thread, I may have retired as an engineer, but I am still a geologist.

1st May 2018 19:31 UTCHolger Hartmaier 🌟

Retired geotechnical/geological engineer and engineering geologist primarily consulting on hydroelectric power, water resources, heavy civil and mining projects. My time is now devoted to processing and curating the countless flats of rocks and minerals I've accumulated during my career that I was too busy to work on while I was working.

2nd May 2018 02:51 UTCMike Chontofalsky

Retired HS Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science and Earth Science teacher....37 years. And 7 years as an environmental chemist and 7 years as an IT worker. 50 years as a rock-hound and over 27 years as G & M Show chairman.

2nd May 2018 03:31 UTCMichael Cox 🌟

Semi-retired property manager. B.S. Geology, MSc supply management. Mainly worked in Fortune 50 company as risk manager for soil and groundwater pollution, and Corporate social and environmental responsiblity, but have held a wide variety of responsibilities from basic field geology to real estate management and contract manufacturing. Currently working as a volunteer field assistant to Gail Dunning et al., working to find and identify new mercury minerals. Having a blast finding cool Hg minerals. My hobby and passion is mercury mining history and exploration.

2nd May 2018 08:06 UTCアーロンベリル

English teacher in Japan. Started with an interest in raising butterflies and their host plants. Interest in plants led to an interest in bonsai. Then I became interested in bonsai rocks and suiseki. Eventually that interest led to minerals and gemstones. My wife told me I have too many hobbies...

3rd May 2018 03:16 UTCBruce J. Murphy Expert

B.S in geological engineering. Seriously collecting for 48 years and specializing for most of that time in Arizona species and localities. Over a 42 year career, worked as a field geologist, drilling engineer in the oil patch, and as a geotechnical engineer/engineering geologist in the landfill business. Last 25 years as a consultant and executive in the waste management and recycling industry. Now semi-retired and looking at finally mounting some 3,000 micro-mounts. Should keep me busy until the end.

3rd May 2018 18:45 UTCGreg Simmons

Business Development Manager for a background check company. Did some other stuff prior to this including 6 years in the military. Been collecting since I was 6 with about a 20 year hiatus between 1990 and 2010. I collect mostly cabinet to large cabinet specimens. a little over 200 pieces so far. Will be cataloguing them on mindat in the coming months.

11th May 2018 00:00 UTCJeff Kroft

Started career as principal minerals economist for international geotechnical consulting firm. Then manager-market research and special projects for a major international mining company. Retired as manager of mineral resources for a state government agency

11th May 2018 15:05 UTCKyle Bayliff

I'm a graduate student in chemistry. I synthesize novel crystalline compounds with exotic physical properties: right now, I'm trying to make new high-temperature superconductors and magnetic compounds with non-magnetic constituent elements. Crystals in nature make me jealous, but I make some that nature doesn't, so we'll call it even ;)

12th May 2018 03:13 UTCSamuel Stewart

Retired but worked as a chief financial officer for a hospital.

12th May 2018 13:20 UTCNormanand Valerie Gail Wilson 🌟

Retired mineral processing engineer specializing in non-metallic minerals.

12th May 2018 17:21 UTCMaggie Kroenke

I'm the store manager for the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.

13th May 2018 06:15 UTCJohn M Stolz Expert

Lots of interesting and diverse careers!

Mining Engineer turned Civil, partner at a consulting engineering firm specializing in heavy civil/underground design, construction management, and disputes resolution services. I have about 3 years or so before I hang it up.

14th May 2018 00:06 UTCKyle Beucke 🌟

My background is entomology. I previously worked as an identifier for the USDA, and now work for the state of California.

Kyle

14th May 2018 20:38 UTCStephen Moreton Expert

Industrial chemist (inorganic). Which is great because it gives me access to analytical facilities: XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS.

22nd May 2018 14:03 UTCToby Billing

I work a couple of days a week for Sovereign Hill in Ballarat as a gold pourer. We own a retail business (horse and stockfeed stuff), a small but growing metals and manufacturing business and getting more into gems as a business. I also do blasting and explosives contract work. Keeps me mighty busy but still collect as often as possible.

10th Jun 2018 14:00 UTCFlorian Baur

I'm an inorganic chemist, just finished my PhD (on luminescent materials) and will now likely work on single crystal synthesis. It's incredible what nature manages to produce.

Which is great because it gives me access to analytical facilities: XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS.

Hehe, that's right. Only thing I'm currently missing is single crystal XRD and Raman. I hope we'll get the latter in the near future though.

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