Technical

Writing Portfolio
Of
Sean Hutchings




Salt Lake Community College
Professor Daniel Baird
English 2100
December 1, 2015

Contact

Address: 878 E. 2900 N. Lehi, UT 84043

Mobile: 801-369-6779
e-mail: sean@hutchnsuch.net

878 E., 2900 N.

Lehi, UT 84043
December 1, 2015
University of Utah, Department of Geology and Geophysics
Frederick Albert Sutton Building
150 S. 1460 E. Room 383
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0102
To whom it may concern,
I am applying for admission into the Geology program at the University of Utah starting
fall semester of 2017. I wish to finish my education at the U of U because it is one of the
best schools for science majors right here in Utah, and as a local Utah native it has been a
dream of mine to go to this school. I have always had an interest in getting a degree in
Geology, and I feel that I could be a valuable addition to your program.
My education thus far has been finishing four semesters at Salt Lake Community College
with a major in Environmental Geology. I will have my General Education requirements
finished this semester, and will start Major courses in the spring. I have retained a perfect
4.0 GPA for 3 straight semesters. This gained me admission into the Alpha Chi Eta
chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society in April 2015. I plan to receive my A.S.
degree in Environmental Geology in the spring of 2017, and transfer from there to the
University of Utah.
From this you can see that I am a good student, and I take my education very seriously. I
am a hard worker, and a highly motivated individual that is excited to move forward into
the future. I take pride in doing the best I can in everything that I do, which is a skill I
have learned from my martial arts training, my construction work and being a student at
SLCC. I am always pushing myself to improve and be better. I am a serious
outdoorsman, and I love studying the Earth. I am also good at math, science, and writing.
Enclosed in this portfolio are writing samples from my English 2100 Technical Writing
class that I would like you to see when considering me for admission.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you and working with you in
the future. I can be contacted through my mobile (801-369-6779) or through e-mail
(sean@hutchnsuch.net).
Sincerely,
Sean Hutchings

Table of Contents

Pg. 1: Cover Letter

Pg. 2: Table of Contents
Pg. 3: Technical Description on Rock Hammers
Description providing basic technical information on rock hammers.
Created using Adobe InDesign.
Pg. 4: Technical Instructions for Using Rock Hammers
Instructions providing basic safety info for using a rock hammer. Created
using Adobe InDesign.
Pg. 5: Analytical Report, On the Rocks
Report providing info on what it is like to live and work as a professional
Geologist.
Pg. 15: Resume

Geological Information Series

Helping you learn the tools and rules to enjoy your study in the
great outdoors.
Author Photo, 2015.

Rock Hammers
A Rock hammer (Figure 1.) is a very common instrument used in the field by Geologists. It is mostly used to break, scrape, or pry off samples of rocks and
minerals for further study in the lab, and also provides a good scale for geologic photos. They are very simple in design, consisting of a head and a handle,
much like any carpenters hammer would. But it differs in head design, head weights, handle lengths, and handle materials. The following description will outline
the variations in rock hammer design and also their primary functions.

The head is the part of the hammer that performs the desired function. It is
usually made of heavy-duty steel, and comes in different designs and weights.
There are two main head designs: Chisel-edged and Pick-ended (Figure 2.).

Pick-ended rock hammers are primarily designed for breaking or chipping off pieces of what is considered hard rock, such as Granite. The
pick-end is also useful for prying.
Chisel-edged rock hammers (also known as a paleontologists hammer)
are primarily designed for dealing with softer, sedimentary rocks. The
chisel-end is wider than that of a pick, so it provides a better striking
surface for prying open layers containing artifacts, fossils, etc.
Both head designs have a blunt-end opposite to the specialty-end,
which can be used for splitting rocks open or for driving chisels.
The weight of the head helps determine the hammers striking power.
Common weights include 13 oz. (lightweight), 20 oz., 22 oz., 24 oz.,
etc. Note: The weights indicated on the hammer pertain only to the
head, not the overall weight of the hammer.

Head

Handle

Figure 1. Geologist hammer by Estwing. Source: Wikimedia Commons, 2012,

H. Grobe. Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.commons.wikimedia.org

The handle is the part that connects the head to the rest of the hammer
(including the grip). Handles can be made out of different materials, such as:

Fiberglass
Wood
Steel
Rubber (grips).

The best (and safest) handles are made from the same steel as the head,
called Drop-Forged. Common lengths of hammers can very between 10 and
17 inches. In the case of Estwing hammers, shorter handels are designated
with a P and longer handles with an LP (Dig it up, 2014).
Note: The grip doesnt change in length, but the distance between the grip
and the head does.

ISOs* : 15601:2000, 20643:2005, 11148-4:2012, 28927-11:2011.

Figure 2. Types of rock hammers. Source: Dig it up...with Dr. G, 2014.

Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.digitup.com

Sources:
Amateur Geologist, (2015). Choosing a rock hammer or rock pick. Rock hammers, rock picks. Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.amateurgeologist.com
Dig it up, (2014). Rock hammers. Dig it up...with Dr. G. Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.digitup.com.au/content/13-rock-hammers
Estwing, (2015). Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.estwing.com
*Indicates possible applying ISO standards.

GEOLOGICAL SAFETY SERIES

Helping you learn the tools and rules to enjoy your study in the
great outdoors.
Author Photo, 2015

Using Rock Hammers

Author Photo, 2015

Rock hammers are a very common tool used regularly in the field by a Geologist. A
rock hammer is a specially designed instrument used mainly for prying and breaking off
rock and mineral samples for study (Figure 1.). It is a simple tool that does not require
much skill to use. However, there is still a risk of injury and damage to the tool if used
improperly. So in order to use your rock hammer safely and efficiently, please take the
time to read and follow these useful instructions:

Pre-Use
1.

2.

3.

Make sure that the hammer is right for the job and is fit for use.

Make sure that the hammer is of the right

design, weight, length, etc. for the job.

Check the hammer for any imperfections or

damage.

DO NOT USE: If the hammer is damaged in

any way, as it may break and cause injury.
Be aware of your surroundings, paying attention to hazards like:.

Falling rocks

Unstable ground

Drop-offs

Highways

Plants, animals, etc.

Wear basic safety gear before using your hammer, such as:

Eye protection. (See Figure 2.).

Good, closed-toe shoes or boots.
Long pants, sleeves.
Helmet, if under overhangs, etc.
Gloves.
Weather specific gear, if necessary.
Any survival gear, water, first aid, etc.

Figure 2. Bolle-sillium safety glasses clear. Source: Amazon, 2015.

Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.amazon.com

Figure 1. West mountain. Source: UGS. Retrieved 2015, November 17

from www.geology.utah.gov

Using Your Hammer

CAUTION: Only use the hammer after your pre-use check is
completed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Determine your target area

Take a stance so that you wont hit your legs, hands, or lose balance.
Use the correct end of the hammer for the job.
Grip the hammer tightly.
Swing with purpose and aim (Figure 3.). Note: Missing a blow can cause
injury or damage to the hammer.
Assess any possible damage and repeat steps 1-5 until the task is complete.

Figure 3. Source: Mining.com, 2012, J. Gaskell. Retrived 2015, November 17 from www.mining.com.

Source: Alden, A. How to use a rock hammer safely. About education. Retrieved 2015, November 17 from www.geology.about.com/od/rockcollecting/qt/Safe-Use-of-Rock-Hammers,htm

Running head: On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

Sean Hutchings
English 2100
October 2, 2015

(Report page) 1

On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

Abstract

(Report page)
2

This report is meant to provide readers with a better understanding of how professional
Geologists work, and how their work is relevant to our modern society. Geology is the
scientific study of Earths materials and processes and how they affect us today.
Professional Geologists can work in many different professions for a variety of
employers. They must be skilled technical writers and must be able to effectively and
professionally communicate their ideas. They do heavy amounts of research, technical
writing, math, and science regularly while on the job, and work in highly collaborative,
interdisciplinary cultures. The demand for professional Geologists in the workplace is on
the rise, and there is no shortage of employment opportunities. The work of Geologists
can be felt in almost every aspect of modern life, from the fuel in our cars to the inner
workings of our cell phones. In its essence, the work of Geologists is highly skilled, very
involved, and team oriented, and without it modern life as we know it would not be
possible. The minimum education requirement is a Bachelors degree, however a
Masters degree or above is more highly recommended.
Keywords: Geology Career, Organizational Culture, Skills, Opportunities

On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

Introduction

(Report page)
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What is Geology and why is it relevant in todays world? Geology is essentially

the scientific study of Earths materials and processes, and how they affect us today.
Geologists can work in many different specialties for a variety of employers, especially
those related to energy, mining, environmental protection, public safety, etc. The work of
Geologists can be felt in several aspects of our modern society, and provides a foundation
for what makes modern life possible. As a current Geology major, I wrote this report to
give myself a better general understanding of what it is like to work as a professional
Geologist, and provide info for any others who are interested in this career field.
Throughout this report I will not only show what it is like to work as a professional
Geologist, (including culture, skills, etc.), but also discuss why this career is important
today and provide recommendations on how to get involved.
Methodology
In order to get started, I asked the question, What is it like to live and work as a
Geologist? I wanted to take a more general research approach, (since I dont know what
specialty I want to go into yet), and a good way to do that was to research sources from
the field and from those who currently work or have worked within it.
Internet
Google searches are a good way to start gathering information, so I began by
searching generally what a day in the life of a Geologist is like. I searched mainly for
articles and essays published by employers, organizations, professional Geologists, and
universities, and made sure they were relevant to today (not seriously outdated).

On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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I also searched for similar sources through the Salt Lake Community College

library website, looking at mainly full PDF texts of articles from journals, organizational
news, reports, etc. Of the databases available, I used mainly the EBSCO search engine
database. This provided me with good sample work documents, reports, etc.
Interview
To gain a more inside view of Geology, I interviewed Dr. Cam Mosher Ph.D.,
who is a former professor of mine, and an experienced Geologist. I asked him questions
pertaining to my research, and got his take on Geology as a career. I chose to interview
him because he has had considerable experience in the field, having worked at Phillips
Petroleum and taught at the University of Florida, University of Arizona, and SLCC.
Putting Sources Together
I put together the pieces of the Internet and Interview resources that had the most
relevance to the main idea of the report, focusing on: employment opportunities, skills
(including writing involved), typical work-load, and organizational culture. I have
provided my findings on these main points in my results.
Results
A professional Geologist can work in several different jobs and settings for a
variety of employers (King, 2015). The Geology Department at Kent State University
shows that the companies and organizations that will typically hire professional
Geologists include: mining companies, oil/natural gas companies, environmental
consulting firms, universities, scientific publishers, engineering firms, highway and
construction departments, government agencies (e.g. USGS, EPA), and others (Who
Hires Geologists? 2015). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,

On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster

than the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and
responsible land and resource management is projected to spur demand for geoscientists
in the future. (Geoscientists, 2015). It also states that the median annual income as of
2012 was around $90,890.
In the article, What is Geology? What does a Geologist do? it states that, All
geologists prepare reports, perform calculations, and use computers. (King, 2015,
para.7). When I interviewed Dr. Mosher, he said that all scientists must especially be
good writers, and must be able to effectively and professionally communicate their ideas.
Dr. Mosher said that he spent a lot of time writing and going over other employees
reports, and added that proper use of language is very important. In the article, How to
Survive a Geology Career- What to Prepare for in the Working World, author Michael J.
Kirby states that, Proposals and reports need to be nearly perfect to compete in todays
business world. (Kirby, 2005, p.48). Kirby also adds that report writing and technical
analysis are used on a regular basis, as well as other important skills such as: map
interpretation, science, math, business, research, etc.
In the article, AAPG: Join a professional group to advance career, it states that,
One of the big challenges is that you're very busy in your current careera lot is
demanded of us, we're working on more and more things with less and less time
(AAPG: Join, 2007, p.26). Dr. Mosher stated that when he was working at Phillips
Petroleum, he spent most of his time researching and in the lab, reviewing lab analyses
and reports, but preferred to do field work. Dr. Mosher also added that in the petroleum
industry especially you might have to put in time overseas to get ahead, and that its not

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On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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for everyone. Because of the heavy load of work expected by employers to be done on
time, Geologists should expect to work overtime regularly (Kirby, 2005, p.48).

Professional Geologists work in highly collaborative and team-oriented cultures.

Continuing in his article, Michael J. Kirby states that, Your co-workers will come in a
variety of flavors: some competent, some not; some friendly, some not; some
cooperative, some not just like at college. At the end of the day, however, you will have
to work with all of these folks in some sort of team effort to accomplish your goal
(Kirby, 2005, p.48). Kirby also adds that having good people skills is very important for
success, and that you need to be flexible to any possible changes. According to Shell
Global, a leading force in the oil industry, they also state that, Shell geoscientists work
in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary environments and use a variety of technologies
and methodologies to deliver first-rate performance. (Careers in Geosciences, 2015).
When I asked Dr. Mosher on his experience, he described the culture of the industry and
universities he worked at as hierarchical, conducting research and finding knowledge to
be used by the company or university. He added that your personality is also an
important factor in how you work.
Discussion
One can easily infer from the results presented that choosing a career in Geology
can be a very good choice, especially with its broad spectrum of employment
opportunities and positive future outlook. There is really no shortage of employment
opportunities, and the pay can be very well depending on your specialty and who you
choose to work for. The reason why the demand for Geologists is growing is because the
modern world needs and relies on Geologists. They provide us with a foundation for

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On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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modern life, and as the world marches forward, they must as well in order keep

supporting it. A good example is energy. As our nation grows, so will its demand for
sustainable energy. Therefore, more Geologists will be needed in order to find more
reliable energy resources to support those demands. I noticed this idea is represented in
the motto of the USGS, which is, Science for a changing world. (USGS, 2015.).
There are a lot of skills involved on a daily basis, mainly centered on writing,
math, and science. As shown in the results and from my interview with Dr. Mosher, all
Geologists must especially be skilled technical writers and communicators, because their
daily success depends on it. I found that writing really seems to be the foundational skill,
because every other skill is reflected within your writing. For example, one of the reports
I sampled was titled, Giant Seismites Megablock Uplift in the East African Rift:
Evidence for Late Pleistocene Large Magnitude Earthquakes. In summary, this report
was intended to study seismic activity and its hazards to better predict future hazards in
other regions, which can be very important in respect to public safety (Herbert-Wolf,
Roberts, 2015). The report was structured very similarly to this report you are reading
now, including sections for methodology, results, discussion etc.; but it also included lots
of detailed research, pictures, maps, calculations, and more. So what I concluded is that
the better you are at effectively communicating your ideas, the better you are at
everything else. The better proposals and reports you create means any resulting projects
are done correctly and efficiently.
Because Geology is obviously a highly skilled field and there is a high work
demand, Geologists stay very busy. Like any skilled career it is very demanding of time
and resources because there are lots of people counting on you to do a good job. So work

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On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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hours are not always the regular nine to five, because some projects may require you to
spend more time at the office, out in the field, or even in a different country. For
example, I found that Shell Global has a good-sized exploration project currently in

Turkey (Careers in Geosciences, 2015). So it is probably safe to assume that if you are a
high-ranking Geologist in the company, you will probably have to spend some time in the
field over in Turkey. Beyond that, professional projects dont always run swimmingly.
In the corporate world there are setbacks and other problems that can occur, some of
which are beyond your control, so it is important to be flexible (Kirby, 2005, p.48).
Essentially, in todays fast paced world, it appears that the more skilled and valuable you
are to a company, the busier you will be.
Finally, like any corporate culture, Geology is highly collaborative and teamoriented. Cultures may vary from company to company slightly, but everyone seems to
agree that working in Geology is most definitely a team effort. This means that you need
to have good people skills. On top of that the culture is also a cross-disciplinary one,
meaning that you will be working with people from different professional backgrounds,
(some not even science related), who work and think differently to accomplish similar
goals (Kirby, 2005, p.48). A simple example would be a Geologist working with an
Architect on improving a dam so that it meets earthquake safety standards. Obviously,
being able to communicate and work well with each other is an important factor in how
the job gets done. Also, I learned that your personality as well influences how you work.
Some Geologists will prefer more fieldwork than others, and others may prefer more
office or lab time. Essentially there is something for everyone, but it is still important, no
matter your personality, to know how to behave and interact professionally around your

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On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

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coworkers. Interestingly enough, when I was reading Michael J. Kirbys article on

surviving a Geology career, he said that the comic strip Dilbert actually describes the
cultures of engineering and scientific corporations very well (Kirby, 2005, p.47). That
being said, I think a career in Geology is still a very positive choice, as long as you love
what you do and dont mind working with others.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Geology forms the base for many aspects of our modern culture, and without it,
modern life as we know it would not be possible. Our culture demands the use of natural
resources constantly, and those resources, naturally, come from the Earth. Whenever you
drive your car or use your cell phone, the work of Geologists is involved. On top of that,
Geologists also work to keep us save from natural disasters. Geology as a career is a
highly collaborative, team oriented, and skillfully involved field. It comprises parts of
different disciplines and cultures that influence how the job is done and who it is done
for. Geologists stay very busy, and must be good writers and able to work well with
other people. To become a professional Geologist, a Bachelors degree is considered the
entry-level education, although achieving a Masters degree or above is more highly
recommended. Becoming a professional Geologist takes work, time, and skill, but will
definitely, in my opinion, provide you with the chance to really make a difference in this
world.

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On the Rocks: Geology as a Career

References

(Report page) 10

AAPG: Join a professional group to advance career. (2007). Offshore, 67, 26-30.
Retrieved from http://libweb.slcc.edu/.
Careers in geosciences. (2015). Shell Global. Retrieved Sept. 2015 from
http://www.shell.com/global/aboutshell/careers/professionals/jobareas/geosciences.html
Geoscientists. (2015). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor. Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition. Retrieved Sept. 2015 from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm
Herbert-Wolfe H. L, Roberts E. M. (2015). Giant Seismites in East African rift: evidence
for late Pleistocene large magnitude earthquakes. Plos ONE, 10, 1-18. Retrieved
from http://libweb.slcc.edu/.
King, H. (2015). What is geology? what does a geologist do? Geology.com. Retrieved
Sept. 2015 from http://geology.com/articles/what-is-geology.shtml.
Kirby M. J. (2005). How to survive a geology career: what to prepare for in the working
world. AIPG, Jan/Feb 2005, 47-48. Retrieved from
http://aipg.org/Students/studenttopics/How%20to%20survive%20a%20geology%
20career-what%20to%20prepare%20for%20in%20the%20working%20world.pdf
USGS. (2015). National Geographic. Retrieved Sept. 2015 from
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/usgs/
Who hires geologists? (2015). Department of Geology, Kent State University. Retrieved
Sept. 2015 from https://www.kent.edu/geology/who-hires-geologists

15

Sean Hutchings

878 E., 2900 N.

Lehi, UT 84043
Home Phone: 801-766-9108
Mobile Phone: 801-369-6779
e-mail: sean@hutchnsuch.net

Objective

To become a valued graduate from the University of Utah in the field of Geological
Sciences, and in so doing be able to attain a prospective career in that field.

Education

Current: Associate of Science, Salt Lake Community College, expected graduation

date: May 2017. Expected transfer to University of Utah pursuing B.S. in Geology in
Fall 2017.
Current Major: Environmental Geology
GPA of 4.0 for 3 straight semesters.
Past: Graduated High School, May 2012
Lehi High School, Lehi, UT.
Graduating GPA: 3.9.
Current Educational Memberships: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Chi Eta
chapter. Accepted membership on April 10, 2015.

Work Experience

Apprentice Plumber/Radiant Heating from August 2012-March 2014

AKI Plumbing and Heating LLC, Heber, UT.
Did manual labor on several residences in Park City, UT.
Duties varied from plumbing work/radiant heating to landscaping, electrical, and
some carpentry.
Worked in the outdoors and the mountains mostly.
Learned valuable working skills and trade skills.
Martial Arts Head Instructor from 2011-2012
Bobby Lawrence Karate American Fork and Saratoga Springs, American Fork, UT.
Taught students (children to adult) martial arts.
Exercised leadership skills, assisted in running and judging tests.
Learned how to work well with others.

Skills

Hard working and motivated.

Serious student.
Know basic plumbing and construction.
People and leadership skills.
Serious outdoorsman and hiker.
Know basic Geology.