310: Why SEG EVOLVE Is Worth the Hard Work

"In your academic work, you just have to do your work and you get your grade for your work. Now we're leading a team where when any other member of the team fails, the whole team has failed."

SEG EVOLVE asks students to take on challenges that go well beyond graduate coursework. Tobechukwu “Toby” Ude-Akpeh, Chukwudi Onyeakusi, and Papa Kwesi Eshun share how their 10-person international team tackled the Sleipner carbon storage project while navigating missing data, unfamiliar software, demanding deadlines, and four time zones.

They explain how industry mentors and faculty advisors helped them overcome technical obstacles, connect their work to economic decisions, and prepare to defend their recommendations at IMAGE.

Building on their The Leading Edge article, "Across continents and time zones: How Team Hyperville made global collaboration work," the students reveal why EVOLVE demands so much, what makes its mentorship valuable, and how professionals and universities help make the experience possible.

Read the TLE article at https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/seg/tle/article/45/7/548/732557/Student-Zone-Across-continents-and-time-zones-How.

Learn more about SEG EVOLVE, including its Energy Exploration and Carbon Solutions tracks and opportunities to participate as a student or mentor at https://seg.org/programs/student-programs/seg-evolve/.

QUESTIONS THIS CONVERSATION ANSWERS

> What makes SEG EVOLVE more demanding and rewarding than traditional graduate coursework?

> How do industry mentors and faculty advisors help students solve difficult technical problems and develop professional judgment?

> What do students gain from leading international teams and presenting their work to industry professionals at IMAGE?

ABOUT SEISMIC SOUNDOFF

Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. Produced by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and hosted by Andrew Geary of 51 features, these episodes celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. Three new episodes monthly. See the full archive at https://seg.org/resources/podcast/.