Geotechnical Analyst
LaRoche Petroleum Consultants
“I was actually in a different program at Brookhaven when I got a job as an administrative
assistant at my current company, which needed someone to answer the
phone. I had previously taught photography for Nikon, Canon and Wolf
Camera and was somewhat of an expert in Photoshop — and something just
clicked for me when I discovered mapping using GIS technology. I decided
to change my field of schooling to match my new job, so that I could
advance in my career field.
“I’ve learned a lot about GIS
software, and all my classes have gone through the different ways and
procedures of mapping and spatial analysis. It’s also been a good
learning experience working with other people and groups, because that’s
what you have to do out in the field to get the job done.
“I’ve
also been lucky to get to go on both GIS field trips to Belize to date.
We were divided into three teams: the bathymetry team, which used sonar
to gather data points to map the ocean floor; the shoreline team, which
collected and categorized trash samples to see how ocean currents and
other factors affected the location of shoreline litter; and the
environmental/science team, which gathered and analyzed water and soil
samples. We also switched teams every few days so that we could get a
chance to learn about all the different areas.
“The best part of
my Brookhaven experience: everything! My classes have been excellent;
I’ve learned all kinds of mapping and learning to work with others.
Knowing how to solve problems and get a job completed is sometimes just
as important as the actual job skills.”
Valerie Brenner earned her GIS Technician certification through
Brookhaven College and has been working towards an associate degree
since 2007. In her job for an oil and gas consulting company, she helps
to make maps for major oil and gas companies, working with geologists,
geophysicists and petroleum engineers to map data that allows volumetric
calculations, such as how much oil and gas are in their reservoirs and
what methods are cost-effective to complete extraction.