Are You Ready for the Firing Line?

Your Network Could Be Your Safety Net

How prepared are you to be fired?

With the high-level of volatility that exists in our industry today, it is increasingly likely that in the course of your career you will find yourself without a regular paycheck. Aside from being financially prepared to go without a paycheck for six or so months, what tools do you have to get yourself where you want to be?

This then begs the question: Where do you want to be?

Assuming you want to remain in the industry, you have three options:

  • Become a consultant.
  • Become an independent.
  • Find a job with another company.

Irrespective of which path you choose, you will find that one tool, and only one tool, is effective in helping you achieve your aim.

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How prepared are you to be fired?

With the high-level of volatility that exists in our industry today, it is increasingly likely that in the course of your career you will find yourself without a regular paycheck. Aside from being financially prepared to go without a paycheck for six or so months, what tools do you have to get yourself where you want to be?

This then begs the question: Where do you want to be?

Assuming you want to remain in the industry, you have three options:

  • Become a consultant.
  • Become an independent.
  • Find a job with another company.

Irrespective of which path you choose, you will find that one tool, and only one tool, is effective in helping you achieve your aim.

That tool is your NETWORK.


Quite simply, how many people out there are willing and able to help you get back in the game?

The more people familiar with your skills and professionalism, the greater the likelihood that one of them will introduce you to the right person to offer you a job or consulting position, or make you aware of the right opportunity to purchase production and become an independent.

To build a network, you must be involved in your professional community, preferably within both your local society and AAPG. One way to become involved is to call the president of your local society or contact AAPG, and ask to serve on a committee. Look for committees that will fit your interests, and expose you to the most number of other members.

If you want your network to include those members that represent the best of the best, then you should look to join a committee within the Division of Professional Affairs.

DPA membership is roughly 10 percent that of the association, yet over the last decade DPA members have been disproportionately represented in leadership positions within the association:

  • 50 percent of the chairs of AAPG committees are, or were, DPA members.
  • 60 percent of the AAPG officers are, or were, DPA members.
  • 60 percent of the AAPG Foundation Trustee Associates are, or were, DPA members.

As you can see, the DPA is the "A Team" of the association -- and, by proxy, of the industry. Furthermore, a significant number of DPA members are consultants and independents.

If you are considering becoming a consultant or independent someday, one of the best places to meet your future peers is in the DPA.

So, if you want to be part of the "A Team" and network with the top 50 percent of the industry, then you want to become an involved member of the DPA.


Let me close with a few questions:

Do you want to be part of the "A Team"?

If not, why?

If so, are you certified?

If not, why?

Take the time to become certified, and let your employer or clients know that you are one of the "A Team."

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