Jackson School Alumni: World Changers, Izaak Ruiz (B.S. ’17; M.S. ’19) leads the charge on Carbon Capture
October 12, 2023
Why did you choose to attend the Jackson School of Geosciences? Why study the geosciences?
I chose to study geosciences and attend the Jackson School because of GeoFORCE. My two favorite subjects were always science and math growing up, and when GeoFORCE introduced me to the world of geology, I immediately developed a deep fascination for it.
Where did you intern and how did that experience prepare you for success in your field?
I was fortunate to intern at three companies during my undergraduate and graduate tenure at the Jackson School: Welder E&P in San Antonio, Repsol in The Woodlands, Texas, and Hunt Oil in Dallas, Texas. These internships significantly prepared me for success in my current field, as I got to experience different cultures and work styles of small to medium to large size industry companies.
What was your first job after college?
Right after college, Repsol invited me to participate in their E&P training program for 11 months in Madrid, Spain. Afterward, I was relocated to Repsol’s office in The Woodlands as an exploration geoscientist for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico team.
What is your current position?
My current position at Repsol is carbon capture and ctorage (CCS) project coordinator in our CCS Development Americas team. As a Spanish-based global energy company, Repsol is committed to meeting climate targets and increasing its low-carbon portfolio. CCS is a key initiative that the company focuses on, requiring many of the skill sets geologists have developed.
Which lessons learned at the Jackson School have served you well in your profession?
Some of the lessons the Jackson School taught me are to never stop networking, defend your interpretation with confidence but be open to other ideas, remember that geology is the foundation for any project, and to make sure you enjoy what you are doing.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at the Jackson School?
My favorite memory was graduation. I never thought I would receive a B.S. and M.S. in Geology from one of the best geosciences programs in the world. Seeing the emotion of my family is something that I will never forget. I strive to make my parents proud, and I know that I did just that when I graduated.
Since graduation, how have you stayed connected with the Jackson School?
I’ve stayed connected through two main avenues: GeoFORCE and carbon capture and storage. GeoFORCE recently invited me to speak at their closing ceremony on the UT Austin campus, and I anticipate serving as a professional mentor for their summer trips. Since the new offering of a CCS course at the Jackson School, I’ve been a judge for the students’ end-of-semester presentations. I’m also Repsol’s main point of contact for the company’s affiliation with the Jackson School’s Gulf Coast Carbon Center. I look forward to continue providing my time and giving back to the students of GeoFORCE and the Jackson School.
Is there a specific professor at the Jackson School who inspired you?
Bill Fisher inspired me when I was in school because of his love, passion, and dedication to the geosciences. I remember seeing him in action during our field trip to the Guadalupe Mountains and being in constant awe of his knowledge. And for those who have hiked there and know who Dr. Fisher is, this was in 2018. He undoubtedly influenced and motivated me to continue pursuing a career in the field of geology.
Did you have any experiences at the Jackson School that changed how you see the world?
There is one specific experience at the Jackson School that will continue to shape my career path. It happened during the fall of the second year of my undergraduate degree at the career fair. Born and raised in Eagle Pass, Texas, and being a first-generation college student, I never had a complete grasp on what it would take for someone that looked like me to have a successful career in the industry until this very moment. The recruiters at the Jackson School career fairs are mostly interested in late-career undergraduate students or those already in graduate programs. I knew this going in but challenged myself to check it out and prepare for the subsequent years. As I walked into the ballroom on the second floor of the Student Activity Center, I was taken aback; there were so many people – it looked like hundreds – dressed in professional attire and constantly shaking hands. I immediately froze. It took me a couple of minutes to snap out of it, and I walked out of the career fair. My heart was beating fast as a rush of anxiety overtook me. I walked to the bathroom and realized I was the only one there. I stood, looked at myself in the mirror, and took several deep breaths. My heart rate slowed, and I told myself, “You can do it.” I repeated this several times until I started feeling better. I walked out of the bathroom and back into the ballroom… about two hours later, I left the career fair with 15-plus business cards and a smile. This experience helped me get to where I am today. And through every career fair, conference, presentation, or networking event, the continuous growth in my confidence has assisted me in forming relationships that have helped me land internships, my job at Repsol, and now specific projects in my current position. The power of networking has greatly impacted how I see the world.