How it happened..

I have been asked by a few folks, "So how'd you find this gig?!?" Well, it all started while I was sitting on the toilet one evening... No, really, I was taking care of business and idly reading a copy of EOS, a weekly rag put out by the American Geophysical Union that has short articles and, more importantly, a lively classifieds section. It was then that I drifted upon this ad:

"PhD Opportunity in Antarctic Benthic Research. The Dept of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University has funding to support a doctoral student for 3 years (tuition, fees, and salary) on an NSF Polar Programs grant. the research will involve 3 cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, with measurement of naturally occuring tracers (primarily C-14 and Th-234) in sediments and in benthos as the primary focus of the student resarch. The goal fo the study is is to asses benthic feeding strategies as the respond to temperature gradients and climate change. Applicants should have a BS and/or MS in chemistry, marine chemistry, or marine biology. For further details, contact [...]

I remember getting a real good feeling about this ad and heard a distinct voice in my head say to me, "This could be your ticket, Brian.." So, anyway, I crapped and got off the pot, so to speak. I emailed the professor, he liked my previous experience, I sent him my transcripts, GRE scores, an essay, etc..., and he offered me the position a few weeks later. That's how it went down. Pretty sweet, eh?