Jacob Throolin (BS Geology, 2006)

Attending Central was the best choice I could have made. Most importantly, I met and married my wife, an Elementary Education major, while attending CWU. We now have 3 beautiful daughters and one annoying, but adorable, wire-haired dachshund. Secondary to that, CWU Geology provided me an outstanding education. The emphasis the department placed on providing opportunities to make field observations has proved invaluable. Fieldwork as a Geologist is fun and exciting, and has provided me many opportunities I would have never otherwise had: living in fly in only man camps, flying in Cessna's and helicopters, rappelling off of cliffs to study slope stability, and many other adventures.

Since graduating from Central I have had a wide variety of professional geologic experience. I currently am an Engineering Geologist at Shannon and Wilson. Previously, I have worked as an Environmental Geologist, Mining Exploration Geologist, and an oil and gas Wellsite Geologist. Although each geologic specialty has its merits, I have found Mining Exploration and Engineering Geology to be the most rewarding. Engineering Geology is highly rewarding as I help protect people and communities from potential geologic hazards. Mining Exploration required the most geologic skill as I was located in remote field locations while interpreting complicated geologic settings using a wide variety of data, including structural, mineral, lithological, geochemical, and geophysical.

One thing that I did not realize while in school is that drilling is the most common method used in all geologic fields for identifying and/or confirming subsurface conditions. I have used many drill methods including diamond core, mud rotary, air rotary, cable tool, direct push, hollow stem auger, and sonic drilling; and have drilled to many different depths/lengths, from 3 ft to 20,000 ft. Also, in every position I have used geophysics to identify subsurface targets, whether it be identifying competent rock/soil for foundations, potential mineral or oil deposits, or contaminated soil or groundwater. Using the geophysical data, I have identified drilling locations to collect rock/soil/groundwater samples to provide further insight into subsurface conditions.

CWU Geology rocks!!!