Paleontologist at 62: Overcoming Challenges

0:00Here's more Sydney news for March 9th. Craig Mons made headlines by earning a paleontology degree with honors at age 62 from the University of New England in Australia. After spotting a Model T-Rex on his desk one day, he decided to chase his passion despite lacking a formal degree earlier in life. He started as an electronics trainee, right out of school, and balanced part-time studies with a job at a Canberra Public Library. Here this week, details emerged about his diverse career shifts from computer engineering in the late 80s to tech support, sales, teaching, adults, and even running his own computer sales business for 12 years. He sold the company into the lower paying library role to fund his education, relying on his wife's income to get by. Mons focuses on invertebrates like worms, insects, and lobsters rather than dinosaurs, studying bio-stratigraphy to track how species evolve through. Rock layers. He examines drill cores by splitting them to reveal fossils and admire's life's flexibility

1:03in adapting to pressures. Despite tough setbacks, including the deaths of both parents, COVID challenges, and breaking both arms in a bike accident, Mons finished his key, research paper. These events tested his resilience but didn't derail his drive. Looking ahead, he aims for evolutionary paleontology work and dismisses retirement as a cultural expectation. At his age, he's eager for new adventures and understanding life's changes. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor, linked in the description. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones, built for comfort and sound. S-O-L-L-I.