Through the eyes of a geologist

"Having searched Google, I didn't find myself. I thought I would have a digital footprint, as being a regular Facebook and Twitter user. After searching on www.123people.com, there are obviously other Jo Miles's in the world that have a greater presence online than me as I couldn't find myself on this website either. Although what did surprise me was that two of my best friends were in the 'Related People' section. Whether Jo Miles is a common name or not, I'd like to think I have an active presence online, but from this exercise I can see that I need to take advantage of social media to heighten my digital footprint further and actually be found when searched for by employers.” I wrote this at the beginning of the course and initially I was hoping to have a digital footprint by the end of the course. I searched for myself again on www.123people.com and although I did not come up on Facebook or Twitter again, I was pleasantly surprised to see my blog...

Having only just realised the importance of a personal brand online, it was fair to say when I searched for myself on www.123people.com that I did not have an effective digital footprint. I was disappointed with this and so here is my blog – the beginning of my digital footprint. My first ever fieldwork experience in Geology was at Colchester Sixth Form College. I was 17 and visited the Isle of Arran for a week. This was not a compulsory trip, but felt it was necessary to get out in the field, and see real formations for myself. It allowed me to practice my strike and dip in the field, which I am now completely happy with calculating by myself.  This took place at Easter in 2011, where we worked in small groups during the day, getting to know what it feels like to be a geological mapper, followed by one days’ worth of independently mapping. Easter 2013, I returned to the Isle of Arran and completed another ten days of fieldwork but in a different area of the island. Not only...

So the seals made a visit today, making the heat and fieldwork more bearable. We're now on day nine, and the tiredness has kicked in. We practically work from 9am to 11pm, so my body is feeling the burn. Although I may moan, I absolutely love fieldwork - the idea of exploring and interpreting a geological area by yourself and solving the puzzle really is an accomplishment. When you don't understand what happens, you think of all the possible theories that could have happened and with the process of elimination, work out which is the most appropriate. Seals sunbathing on the SE tip of Langness peninsula Sunbathing seal, posing for me Blue sky, blue sea View of Jeremy Clarkson's back garden quite literally

Mapping is taking it's toll, so we're going to the pub tonight, in need of a drink or three. Today the weather was pleasant, making mapping much more enjoyable. As you can see though, my mapping colleagues are not the photogenic types:   "What is going on here?"   Having a heated debate Conglomerate in the distance, mudrock by Zeinab

Day three in the field The view of Castletown in the distance:  Today mainly consisted of heading out during low tide to find today's baffling rock boundary. Except as you can see, it was more than just challenging!

Day 2 of Fieldwork Today it was a comfortable temperature of 19 degrees Celsius - more days like this please! We thanked the fairies as we crossed the Fairy Bridge on the way home for the lovely weather, fingers crossed for more. This was our view at lunchtime: Today we focused primarily on the limestone, of which is only visible at low tide, so we had to cherish the few hours we had with today's outcrop.  Working hard as usual:  Zeinab for scale, on the bedded limestone outcrop Grace (left) and myself locating ourselves using bearings Unfortunately this blog is going to be short and sweet due to the amount of work I need to do tonight, in preparation for another 8 hours in the field tomorrow. Wish me luck! Jo

Currently blogging from the Isle of Man. Today was day one of fieldwork, what I like to call the 'Reckie Day' (Reconnaissance Day). We walked around the area, got the feel of the place, and have planned the rest of the two weeks here. It rained all day, but I like to think we got as much as we could done, powering through 9-4pm in constant rain! I'm going to write a daily blog while I'm here, going through the ups and lows, my group and I experience whilst we independently map for the first time as Leicester undergraduates. Meet the Isle of Man mapping group: