James Conrad is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UNC Charlotte who has worked in industry and academia in robotics and embedded systems. He has consulted for iRobot's Maritime Division and worked with students building underwater robotic vehicles and geological sensing systems. The Marine Technology Society holds an annual underwater remotely operated vehicle competition to get involved in marine technology. An example of technology in geosciences is an instrumented boulder that measured temperature, moisture, strain, and sound to record data and look for cracking or other events. Those interested in technology should prepare themselves depending on if they want to be a user, creator, or builder of technology systems.