#ShapedByCSU: Fresh perspectives from BS Geol pioneer taking root in academe

Young professionals play a crucial role in the innovative workforce at Caraga State University. On the main campus alone, approximately one-fourth, or 329 employees, are youth, with ages under 30 years old. Among them is Loyd John M. Gonzales, a 23-year-old geologist from the CSU pioneer batch of Bachelor of Science in Geology (BS Geol) graduates.

Loyd graduated and earned his license in 2024. In January this year, he joined ML-PREP, a machine learning–geospatial project, while also lecturing part-time in the College of Engineering and Geo-Sciences (CEGS), his home college.

It did not take Loyd a year to transition from schooling to full-time teaching. By September of the same year, he was absorbed as a full-time faculty member of CEGS. But while it appeared smooth, the journey was rocky, much like his interest in earth science.

Grounding in earth science

Loyd was eyeing CSU for college. His priority program was BS Civil Engineering, but it was a year away from opening at CSU at the time. What struck his interest, almost like perfect timing, was the newly introduced BS Geology Program. Considering his long-standing interest in earth science, he enrolled and joined the pioneering cohort of about 40 students.

“Wala gyud ko’y alam sa Geology. Pero pag research nako, nahibaloan nako na related siya sa earth science, which is ganahan kay ko. Mao dayon akong gipili.” [I did not know much about Geology. Upon my research, I found it is closely related to earth science, which is what I am interested in. That was why I chose it.]

His fascination with movies about earth processes, dinosaurs, and geological history traces back to his childhood. Rightfully, along his college journey, such interest took more roots, and there he fully realized that he “loves Geology gyud diay. [I truly love Geology.] It is as if it is my destiny.” 

Loyd hails from Bayugan City. His admission to CSU was strategic because of the free tuition and the one-hour distance from his hometown. However, his first two years were marked by challenges from the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak, which significantly altered the landscape of the education system.

“It was very challenging. Wala pa man gud ko’y laptop ato. So, mag online class ko sa computer shop. Didto sad mag exam. Banha sad siya, dili conducive for learning. Lisod kaayo mag-focus. Ang naka-pait ato kay ma-tempt sad ko magdula.” [I did not own a laptop at that time. So, I would attend classes at computer shops. I also took my exams there. People could get loud, which is not conducive to learning. I could not focus well. I also got tempted to play video games sometimes.]

It was a bumpy start for Loyd. In the same year, his father also passed away. Face-to-face classes were only reintroduced in 2022, when he was already in his junior year. It excited him to finally apply concepts and theories in fieldwork. He described the whole experience as “lisod pero daghang pamaagi. Nasugakod ug nahuman ra man gihapon.” [It was tough, but there were ways around it. I still managed to overcome it.]

Rooting deeper in Geology

Loyd has been teaching for almost a year now. He has grown interested in petrology (the study of rocks) and geochemistry (the study of Earth’s chemical composition and processes).

He believes Geology relates to almost everything on Earth. “You can relate it to what you see around you. The mountains, how did they form? Geology. Why do we have rivers and rocks? Geology. What about hazards, typhoons, earthquakes, and floods? They are also influenced by Geology.”

Studying geology made Loyd see the world in a different light. “As simple as studying the presence of certain rocks can reveal the history of an area.” The same fascination made him say yes to teaching when an opportunity presented itself. It then pushed him and even broke the grounds of being just 23 years old.

He describes his first few months in teaching as “Hago. Wala ko’y halos pahulay pero rewarding at the same time.” [It was very exhausting. I did not get much rest, but it was very rewarding.] He juggled between his administrative roles at ML-PREP on weekdays and teaching responsibilities crunched over the weekend.

But having supportive people around helped Loyd navigate his early months. Advised by peers to dig deeper into geology, he also sought to expand his expertise. He shortly enrolled in a graduate program in Environmental Science in January, not even a year after earning his undergraduate degree.

Loyd finds re-enrolling at CSU advantageous because he can save time from traveling far to attend classes. “CSU is growing in research and extension. So, why not here?” Importantly, he is “curious how to apply environmental planning in some concepts of geology” and integrates the same in his instruction.

He attributes his development to the teachers who helped shape his perspectives. “Quality gyud ilang teaching. Maayo sila mo tudlo ug mo-relate sa real life application” (Teaching is of quality. They are also good at relating and applying concepts to real-life situations). 

Emulating the same and relating most to “service” among CSU’s core values, Loyd ultimately sees his teaching as a return of service to CSU. “Nag payback ko kay dire ko ning graduate. Ako ning alma mater. Wala nako nag consider og lain na work.” [I chose to give back here because I graduated here. This is my alma mater. I didn’t consider working anywhere else.]

Growing forward

Of the 17 graduates in the first cohort of the BS Geology program, only Loyd ventured into teaching. He admits he was “not the best in the class,” but one of the most persistent.

“Bulakbol ko sa una. Pero nakita nako na this is for me. Di gyud nako ni i-deny. Ang importante for me now is naa nako dire.” [I was a distracted student before. But I realized teaching is really for me. I won’t deny it. What matters now is that I am here.]

Now a dedicated instructor, Loyd puts a premium on time management and prioritization. “Dapat naa kay to-do list ug timeline sa imong buhatonon para wala kay malimtan ug walay mag overlap.” [You should have a to-do list and a timeline so you won’t forget anything and nothing overlaps.]

He encourages students to build resilience and adaptability, traits he is still refining himself. “This is what I find challenging these days. I am new to all this. But I am adapting.”

Beyond studying smart, which involves knowing when his brain is “most functional,” he emphasizes balancing major and minor subjects because “they all matter.” He also emphasizes the importance of finding the right circle of friends and seeking guidance from God at all times.

Loyd hopes to contribute more through research, with a growing interest in extracting heavy metals from water samples and their implications for environmental and human health. He is also considering further studies in Geology, with the goal of earning a doctorate degree in the future.

He often wonders, “Am I too young for all this?” But rather than dwell on limitations, Loyd chooses to embrace every opportunity placed in front of him. And as shaped by CSU, there is no limit to where he can land and develop, not even his age.

—

#ShapedbyCSU features exemplary graduates of CSU who have achieved significant recognition and contributed to the pursuit of the university in the local and international arena.