888-465-1569 holeproducts.com Greta Smith Batchelder Water Wells Greta had been a waitress all her life and didn’t go to college. Searching for something more, she asked around thinking maybe a trade job would be a good fit for her. That’s when she discovered the drilling industry was looking for workers. “I had never held a tool in my life at that point. Fast forward to now . . . I’m running and driving the drill rig, running a crane truck, backhoes, and giant tractors. I absolutely love what I do. The well drilling community is amazing,” she stated. Greta operates a Schramm T300 Rotadrill, drilling through sand and clay. She has been in the drilling industry for about four years now and enjoys her work. “I could never have imagined being part of such a wonderful and important industry,” she said. She is a long distance hiker, having hiked over 700 miles of the Appalachian trail, almost all in one trip. She also enjoys yoga and meditation, as well as cooking and gardening. Bianca Serna Cascade Environmental When Bianca’s roommate joined the Cascade Environmental Team, she asked him how he liked it, he said it was great. She decided if he could do it, then so could she, and she applied. She became a drill operator in July 2022, and she really enjoys the work, “The best part of my job is the travel. I have been to so many places now that I’ve become a part of the Cascade Team.” Although she admits there aren’t many women in the drilling industry now, she believes once they see it’s possible, more women are bound to join. “I honestly think I already have made a difference. Having a woman come into the field and give different ideas and ways of thinking has improved our team’s efficiency. When I get coworkers from other state offices, they are surprised to find out they are teaming up with a woman, this gives me the opportunity to show them it can be done. With us adding two more women to the company on the West Coast, shows things are changing,” she said. In addition to buying her own house at 23, she loves spoiling her nieces and nephews every time she sees them. Her advice to everyone, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Don’t worry about what the haters will say, just go for it and do your thing. OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® 5
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