A Passion for Dinosaurs Working as a Paleontologist

Paul McNeil, Ph.D. from Steppe Consulting has an undergraduate degree in Geophysical Engineering from Queens University. He has a doctorate in Paleontology from the University of Calgary. In this interview, Paul takes us through his journey of attending Queens University in the Engineering program. He explains what this was like and what he learned, there are some real surprises and good takeaways from this segment of his story. Upon graduating he worked in the gold exploration industry and he explains his role and what that was like and provides insight into what this industry is like as well. He eventually came out West and ended up in Northern Alberta at Fort McMurray working in the oil sands. He describes what his situation was like both in his professional and personal life. After several years faith played a role in his life as he explains which led him to explore a career as a paleontologist. In doing so he provides an explanation of his journey into this career change. This would include applying to grad school, course work, exploring research projects, developing his research, conducting his research, and then finally presenting and defending his thesis. Upon graduating, Paul gives examples of how he developed his passion for dinosaurs into a freelancing career. By doing so he explains how he is open-minded with many examples of all that he has done in his life and is willing to take on new challenges and looks upon them as something new to learn. This interview does provide a discussion about dinosaurs and how scientific research is done. Furthermore, it will benefit anyone interested in pursuing a career in engineering, geology, geophysics, the mining industry (especially gold), and the oil sands. It also benefits anyone interested in pursuing grad school with a focus on sciences, entrepreneurship, and of course paleontology.