How Geophysics Connects Curiosity, Science, and Career Opportunity

“If you're curious about geophysics, there's definitely a place in geophysics for you. The field is so interdisciplinary.” Johanna Villagomez joins Andrew Geary to share how curiosity, fieldwork, student leadership, and outreach are shaping her path as a PhD student in geophysics at the University of Houston. Her story shows why applied geophysics matters now: the field connects directly to water, energy, climate, critical minerals, and the decisions communities make about the subsurface. For students, she makes the field feel open and reachable, while also being honest about the skills that matter most, including coding, fundamentals, communication, and collaboration. As AI, larger datasets, and new sensing tools change the profession, the future belongs to geophysicists who can understand the science and explain why it matters. Explore SEG student programs to find scholarships, mentorship, student chapters, and opportunities to build your path in geophysics at https://seg.org/programs/student-programs/. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Fieldwork creates ownership: Collecting seismic data in the field gives students a deeper connection to the full geophysical workflow, from instruments to interpretation. > AI raises the value of fundamentals: Coding and machine learning matter, but geophysicists still need strong quantitative skills to know when an answer is wrong. > Communication is a technical skill: Whether speaking to policymakers, students, or other geophysicists, clear explanations help science reach the people who need it. ABOUT SEISMIC SOUNDOFF Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. Produced by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and hosted by Andrew Geary of 51 features, these episodes celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. Three new episodes monthly. See the full archive at https://seg.org/resources/podcast/.