This session focuses on strategies for becoming a consultant or independent geoscientist in today’s industry conditions. The presentations offer practical guidance for implementing the business and the types of technical services that are most in demand. The presentations also include where to find sources of free and low-cost oil and gas leasing, drilling, completion, and production data, as well as repositories of digital well logs. In addition, sources of low-cost and open source software will be presented. Presenters will share their personal experiences.

• Introduction
• How to Be an Independent - Stephen Tedesco, Running Foxes
• Build Your Own Business Opportunities in the Oil Business: Practical Steps - Susan Nash
• Overview of the AAPG Publication, Becoming an Independent Geologist: Thriving in Good Times and Bad by James A. Gibbs
• Management Consulting: How It Works - Andrew Poon
• Resources for Getting Started
• Q&A / Discussion

Join us for presentations and a lively discussion on how young professionals (YP’s) can keep their careers alive and take advantage of unique opportunities and skill sets during a protracted downturn, and a time of paradigm shifts in the industry.

Topics:

• Impact on YP’s of the downturn / attitudes of the industry & profession toward YP’s
• Kinds of business opportunities available right now
• Skill sets unique to YP’s which can leverage into unique opportunities
• Has the work environment changed?
• Has gender been a factor in the workplace?
• Needs... now and the future
• AAPG events, networking, training