UTPB undergraduate geology senior Rosendo Saldana and graduate geology senior Alonso Alzua are both working as interns at Diamondback Energy this summer.
Alzua is working as a geophysicist helping asset geologists and reservoir engineers understand earth subsurface properties to find and produce hydrocarbons efficiently.
Saldana’s summer project at Diamondback integrates geology, petrophysics, operations, and data analytics to refine targeting and be predictive for future wells to drill.
“Being able to interact and collaborate with many geologists and engineers, because everyone has their door open, is what makes the work environment at Diamondback so great. The people there are very experienced in their designated fields, which makes conversations exciting as they enjoy what they are doing and can explain it at a very high level,” said Saldana.
They both say it’s been great to test and apply the knowledge they’ve learned at UTPB in their roles as interns. They also feel it’s a privilege to gain experience in the oil and gas industry, especially at Diamondback.
“Being in the heart of the Permian Basin, it is right at the center of the oil and gas industry. There are multiple geological societies here in the Midland-Odessa area that can help students talk to industry professionals and get their faces out there,” said Saldana.
Alzua came to UTPB after receiving his undergraduate degree at Penn State University. He says he wanted to work in the Permian Basin due to its location.
“I have been able to work full time and finish my master’s program with afternoon and evening classes, labs, and one-on-one meetings with professors. The relationships with companies allow UTPB to have access to lots of real data which translates to quality projects, activities, and lectures,” said Alzua.
Saldana received the internship after networking at a luncheon. He says he would recommend UTPB to students looking to enter the oil and gas industry, as students have access to those one-on-one interactions that are harder to come by elsewhere.
“Being able to network with professionals is key and having those same people be able to talk highly about you goes a long way. UTPB allows students wanting to enter the oil and gas industry to foster connections and opportunities,” said Saldana.
Saldana feels his professors have not only given him the knowledge necessary to succeed, but they have an understanding of the students’ goals and which route to take to make those goals achievable. He says their push for research and real-life application during class prepared him for the internship.
The study of geology is more than just rocks, it’s an in-depth look at how earth was formed, what it’s made of and how it’s always changing. UT Permian Basin is the perfect place to study geology—we’re located (and named after) a famous geologic province known as the Permian Basin. Ready to take your next step? Learn more about our geology programs and apply today!
