Student and Early Career (SEC) Committee
Student and Early Career (SEC) Committee
Overview
The mission of the Student and Early Career (SEC) Committee is to support students, universities, and industry in developing a strong global pool of graduating students and emerging professionals with the technical and professional skill sets required to meet the global applied geophysics needs of society.
Objectives
III.27.C.1. Increase Student Participation in SEG
➢ Grow student membership
• Assist in growing student membership by actively soliciting new SEG student members (e.g., through campus visits and professional meetings) and by increasing the visibility of SEG and its relevance to students.
➢ Promote SEG Student Programs (e.g. scholarship program, travel grant programs, etc.)
• Assist in promoting the SEG Student Programs (e.g., through campus visits, distribution of promotional materials). In particular, faculty and industry recruiting representatives will use their university contacts to encourage students to apply for these programs.
III.27.C.2. Engage Universities and Faculty in SEG Student Activities and Programs
➢ Develop relationships between SEG, students, and faculty
• Build relations between SEG, industry, and academia through campus visits and facilitating academic-industry networking ties.
• Provide faculty members with key resources to promote geophysics.
➢ Field Camps
• Promote the SEG Field Camps program.
III.27.C.3. Preparing Students for Future SEG Leadership Roles
➢ Work with Student Chapter leaders to transfer knowledge and experience in how to achieve Student Chapter excellence through the SEG Student Chapter Excellence Program.
➢ Promote SEG Student Programs within universities through personal and professional relationships.
➢ Follow-up with SEG Student Program participants to promote potential SEG leadership roles (e.g. committee service)
III.27.C.4. Professional Career Development
➢ Bring to the attention of SEC any networking opportunity that helps foster contacts between SEG, academia, and industry.
➢ Actively promote and participate in SEG-sponsored networking opportunities (e.g. IMAGE conference, IMAGE Early Career Speed Mentoring Event, and Early Career Networking Reception).
➢ Facilitate the transition of students from university into the early-career work force by:
• Encouraging participation in SEG internships for geoscience and leadership programs like SLS, SEG EVOLVE Energy Exploration and Carbon Solutions, and Virtual Student Conference.
• Mentoring graduating students and emerging professionals about the requirements, expectations, and opportunities of a career in the geosciences. Support students and early career with CV development and review.
III.27.C.5. Retain Emerging Professionals as SEG Members
➢ Promote the benefits of SEG memberships to students transitioning from university to their first year in industry, academia, or government employment.
➢ Enable programs that allow for early career participation and steering of objectives for geoscientists.
Composition and Membership
Committee representation will consist of faculty and industry representatives. The committee chair will be selected from the faculty or industry representatives and will be approved by the SEG President. If the committee chair is a faculty (industry) member, then the industry (faculty) vice chair will be elected by committee members. The committee chair and vice chairs each serve a two-year appointment, which may be staggered in time to ensure continuity of the committee. A representative from the SEG Board will be appointed to the committee. SEG Student and Early Career (SEC) personnel from the SEG Business Office are required to be present and record minutes at all meetings.
The committee can create subcommittees that are relevant to the activities related to student’s programs and grants, and early career opportunities.
Current Leadership (2026–2027):
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Kurang Mehta |
| Board Liaison | Lillian Flakes |
| Staff Liaison | Jessica Dostal |
Policy and Procedures
The official SEG Policy and Procedures Manual section for this committee can be accessed here: → SEG Policy and Procedures Manual
Annual Reports
Below are recent annual reports submitted to the SEG Board:
- {2024 Report}
- 2025 Report
Meetings
The committee will meet a minimum of four times annually. The committee chair may call additional meetings as required. The SEG SEC personnel will notify committee members regarding meeting times and dates and provide instructions for attending.
Resources and Links
Contact
For questions or to express interest in volunteering for this committee, please contact: [email protected]