Verse 1 I chose geology because it made sense. Oil had been discovered in Alberta. There were jobs. I wanted to work. A friend of mine studied commerce— An honours student— And couldn’t find employment. With geology, I worked every summer. After graduation, It took three interviews To get a permanent position. I never went back For another job interview again. Verse 2 I was the first in my Callow family To earn a university degree. I studied at the University of Alberta, When a degree took three years. I thought about postgraduate studies, But earning a living mattered more Than staying another year in school. By the end of my first year working, I had saved enough To buy a good used car. That wouldn’t have happened If I’d stayed on at university. Verse 3 I went to work for Imperial Oil. I stayed there thirty-four years. I never applied anywhere else. The company trained its employees— Courses, instruction, Industry knowledge. Some geologists stayed six months, Took the training, Then left for competitors Or to work on their own For higher pay Without benefits. Turnover was constant. I stayed. Verse 4 In 1986, Imperial Oil offered early retirement. The incentives were good. I accepted. I stopped working at fifty-seven. I look at how people work now— Changing jobs, Rewriting resumes, Selling themselves over and over. I never had to do that. Outro Geology gave me work. Work gave me stability. One degree, One company, One long run. That was enough.
