Video: An introduction to drilling and sampling in geotechnical practice

Attention geotechnical engineering students hoping to get a job or an internship! If you haven’t had any experience in the field, you NEED to watch this video before you go on any interviews! This video created by Dr. Jason DeJong and Dr. Ross Boulanger at UC Davis gives a great overview of the basics of geotechnical drilling and sampling. It was created in 2000, but it is still relevant today. My only comment is that the rope and cathead hammers are getting more and more rare in favor of the automatic trip hammers (or just auto-hammer if you prefer).

Now I’m not suggesting that you students try to pretend you have experience that you don’t! Never lie in an interview! But at least if you have seen this video, you can ask intelligent questions and know what your prospective employer is talking about when they explain the field duties required for an entry-level geotechnical engineer or geotechnical engineering intern position. I know I knew virtually nothing about geotechnical drilling and sampling when I started my career.

Introduction to Geotechnical Drilling and Sampling Video

[Source: YouTube. Image: YouTube]