Alumni Spotlight: Priscila Paez

March 14, 2024

By Priscila Paez

I participated in the GeoFORCE program as a student from the summer of 2012 to the summer of 2015. After my freshman year at Texas A&M University and my first summer working as a GeoFORCE counselor, I switched my major from engineering to environmental geoscience. I realized that I was more interested in the creative side of science – the curiosity, observations, and hands-on experience. During my environmental coursework, it was required of me to take the class: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) where I found my combined passion for technology and science. In August of 2020, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience with minors in Spanish and Geographic Information Science and Technology.

I am currently a Geoscience Technologist at Chevron working in downtown Houston. At times, I feel as if I either became extremely lucky or just kept persisting until landing here. In fact, back in high school, my speech teacher gave us an assignment of what we hoped our “grown-up” life would look like and it is crazy to me how similar I wrote that speech to where I am now, so I guess I “manifested” it. As always, hard work pays off.

I have had a unique path to my job at Chevron. The pandemic and other circumstances were challenging times for me and there were many ups and downs in between. So, if you are in similar situation where: you graduated college thinking you have no relevant experience, you were laid off from your first job, or you find yourself questioning your next move, please do not give up and keep pushing. There are opportunities available to achieve all that you want to do and always utilize your network -especially your GeoFORCE family.

My experience at Chevron has been wonderful. I am part of a team where I am given the necessary tools to succeed, the confidence to speak up, share my ideas and the adequate support, guidance, and mentorship. Additionally, I have the freedom and flexibility to learn so much here – the sky is truly the limit. At first, I was intimidated, these tall skyscrapers and huge buildings are not usually found in my hometown of Del Rio, Texas, but within my six-month journey, I feel I have adjusted well, and truly feel like a valuable member of my business unit. I am bringing and sharing my unique set of skills every single day.

Regardless of the industry, there will be boundaries to break – at times you might also feel you are the first one on this new path. It might feel lonely but reiterating this – you are not alone, use your network and acquire those tools to keep moving forward – YOU GOT THIS.

Lastly, I remember one of the first exercises that the GeoFORCE staff made us do in the bus was a simple task – drawing a scientist. My first drawing was a typical person in a lab with a whitecoat and many test tubes. Now, and after many experiences (many firsts with GeoFORCE – first plane ride, first trip to a national park, first time traveling to the Pacific Northwest), I know a scientist can also look like me. GeoFORCE opened many doors for me and continues to do so. If it was not for the support of this program, I would not have learned that there is a big world out there, and as long as you take a chance and work hard, you can truly achieve anything.