UT Austin GeoFORCE Academies: Training the Next GenerationZ of Geologists (ft. Jasmine Gulick)

Here we have a chat with Jasmine Gulick, a coordinator of the GeoFORCE 9th grade academy. What is GeoFORCE? Why should you be interested in geology? — All the burning questions to get you introduced into geology, answered!

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Transcript

Introduction to the Art of Subduction

[00:00:00] Diya Gaur: Okay, welcome everyone to the Art of Subduction. This is episode three and we're with Jasmine. from UT Austin, and she is a coordinator for the Jackson School of Geosciences GeoForce program. So Jasmine, if you would like to introduce yourself. 

Jasmine's Journey into Geology

[00:00:42] Diya Gaur: Hi everyone, 

[00:00:43] Jasmine Gulick: my name is Jasmine Gulick. I am the senior program coordinator for GeoForce, which means that I am currently the Longest standing and most experienced coordinator on staff with GeoForce.

Um, I never intended to get into, uh, the field of geology. A fun fact about me is that my dad is a marine geophysicist, and when I was growing up in the way that geophysics was, Kids often are. I was like, I think geology's terrible and weird and gross because my dad did it. So obviously I wanted nothing to do with it.

And then after college, I, uh, as I was sort of like looking for jobs, I was looking for coordinator jobs specifically because I've always really enjoyed logistical planning, um, and things of that nature. And I've always worked in education and, uh, summer camps. So, when I saw GeoForce, I was like, oh, this is amazing, this gets to combine my, you know, love of education, but also my love of science in general, and, and, you know, that outdoorsy nature of, of the program.

Uh, so I applied, and I, I got the job as a coordinator, uh, almost six years ago now, so, uh, it's been pretty exciting. Actually, over six years ago now. Wow. Yeah, so it's been a really fun journey. I've had so much, so many amazing memories and experiences with this program, so I'm really happy to be here to talk about it.

[00:02:06] Diya Gaur: Yeah, I mean, I'm really glad about your experiences as well. 

Impact of GeoForce on Students

[00:02:09] Diya Gaur: So I met Jasmine in eighth grade. She came to my middle school and basically gave me a presentation about what GeoForce was. And that's initially how I got involved in the program. And I think she's like the first person I really met from GeoForce.

Um, I still remember the like presentation and the slides, which we were presented and that was in my science class during the pandemic. So even though it was virtual, I was like, Yeah, I like this program, I'm gonna stick with it, and I'm gonna see how it goes, and I think, like, GeoForce made such a big decision in what I want to do now, in, like, pursuing geology as an undergraduate major.

[00:02:43] Jasmine Gulick: Always so wonderful to hear, and stories like that are absolutely why we do this program. Like, the reason I'm still here six years later is because of students like you, and the ones that really, you know, this is, uh, an experience that is so special because people don't get a lot of earth science education in school, there's like a little bit in middle school, and then the only earth science in high school is if you take it as an elective, and not every school even offers that, uh, so we find GeoForce to be so, so special and important because The geosciences are such an important field, um, and such a big field that really touches every aspect of our future, whether it's in industry or science exploration, space or the ocean or whatever it might be, right?

So I love to hear the stories of all the students who've been touched by this program. 

[00:03:30] Diya Gaur: And like, also just like, I know GeoForce is mainly just for Texas, but I just think that one reason why I was inspired to start my podcast as well is because we don't have programs like GeoForce open to everyone.

It's more of like a niche Texas type of thing, which is really open for Texas students. And I feel like if it weren't because of GeoForce, I really wouldn't be going into geology now just because I didn't know about it. But I think the exposure that I got from GeoForce is really like what's needed in other students as well.

So I think even through my podcast, that's what I hope to achieve to help students. More specifically, high schoolers going to geology and learn more about it. Love 

[00:04:08] Jasmine Gulick: that. I love to hear that. 

[00:04:11] Diya Gaur: Yeah. So, I mean, quick question. 

Recruitment and Selection Process

[00:04:13] Diya Gaur: When GeoForce, or people who ar