Chris

Now is a tough time to be getting into this business; however, if this is something you want to do, then let's get after it. In my view, the best way to learn this work is OJT, but right now it will be hard to do that. I recommend that you consider joining AAPL and get started with some of the courses it offers. It is a good organization and has many educational resources, many available online. Visit the website of the Univ. of TX Law School, check out their CLE offerings on Oil and Gas, you don't have to be a lawyer to enroll for these courses, many you can take online. Get yourself a copy of Professor Lowe's Oil and Gas Law In a Nutshell. Read it cover to cover, then reread it. A lot of it you won't understand, but that's OK. The objective is to get familiar with the industry terminology. This is not brain surgery. I have done this work for about 25 years and worked in record rooms and bought leases from AL to W. TX, and I have never had a brain surgeon ask me to stop what I was doing to assist them in any way. In my view, the key to this business is perserverance and developing good people skills. Learn to take good notes and keep good records and prepare good reports. If your financial situation will permit, then offer to work with one of the Land Service Cos. for free for awhile, after you have done some home study to familiarize yourself with the industry. Don't get discouraged. It has been my experience that when this business is good, it can be really good. When it is bad, it is really bad, like now. But, it will come back. Hope this helps some. Check out AAPL, it is worth the price of membership just to get the magazine and have access to member resources. Regards.