text:  as an engineering geologist. And then I went back to school to work on my doctorate at UC Davis. I worked three years and did everything but pass my orals and did everything but complete my dissertation. I had a 250-page dissertation, which I brought with me to my teaching back at Appalachian State University. And so many other activities and exciting things developed, but I never completed that part of my work. And then I accepted the role as the first county geologist in Santa Clara County.