Name: Alex Fiore
Major(s) and Minor: Geological Sciences major, Geography minor
Year: 2011
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Permission to use your image and answers on the web and in Rutgers social media: yes
ALUM:
Why did you choose X as your major?
-Like many, I was at first unsure what I wanted to be my major. While taking an introductory geology class, I became fascinated with the subject matter. Geology seemed like fun, not just work, and I actually looked forward to going to class. That’s how I knew that path was right for me.
What did you like most about it?
-Rocks tell a story about what the Earth was like long ago (or even not-so-long ago), and the geology major teaches you how to read that story using science. Besides the interesting subject matter, I also liked how the Earth and Planetary Sciences department was very welcoming; I knew everyone in the faculty and had the sense that all of my professors wanted the students to succeed.
What is your current position, what do you, and what do you enjoy most about it?
-I am currently a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey. My work involves studying the characteristics of rocks and sediments and how those characteristics affect issues related to groundwater in the New Jersey area, such as the triggers of landslides or toxic chemical contamination. I often get to work outdoors in many kinds of environments, which is probably my favorite part of the job— I like to joke that the Earth is my laboratory!
What was your first job after Rutgers and how did you get it?
How did you move from that first job to your current position?
Looking back, what classes or experiences at Rutgers would you point to as contributing to your successes?
- With Rutgers being the State University of New Jersey, many of the examples of geology I learned about in classes came right from our own backyard. This provided me a strong background in New Jersey geology that is a definite advantage for doing any kind of geological work in New Jersey. I knew I wanted to be a hydrologist after taking the Hydrogeology class. To me, hydrogeology seemed to integrate everything I had learned in all the other subfields of geology and apply it to groundwater. I believe that ability to think across multiple disciplines toward a single goal shows versatility and made me a better scientist.
What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?
-Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. And geology is fun, so always have fun with it…
Wright-Rieman Laboratories