In a way, a political uprising in Caracas, Venezuela, was what sent Sophia Cobos from her homeland to Cal State Bakersfield.

Cobos, a native of Venezuela, left her job as an intern last year with Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (Pdvsa) after all of her co-workers and mentors were fired. The petroleum company fired 25,000 employees.

The employees had marched in opposition to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who wanted to gain more control of one of the world's largest state-owned petroleum companies.

In midst of the uncertainty, Cobos felt it was time to move on and focus on her studies in the United States. Having already earned a B.A. in geology from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela, Cobos looked to further her geology education in California.

After reading about Cal State on the Internet, Cobos was convinced it was the right school for her.

She applied to the graduate program and was accepted. Better than that, she received a full scholarship.

Cobos packed her bags and headed to Bakersfield.

"I liked what I read about Cal State," Cobos said. "I knew it was the type of university I wanted to attend."

She said her professors and classmates have made it easy for her to adjust to her new surroundings because with them she's able to talk about her favorite topic -- geology.

"It's great so many people (share) the same emotion as you do in the field you like," she said with a smile.

Janice Gillespie, a Cal State geology professor, appreciates her enthusiasm.

"When Sophia's in the classroom, you'll either find her listening attentively or she's sharing her knowledge with the rest of the class," Gillespie said. "She really enjoys talking about geology."

Cobos, who plans to graduate in June, splits her time between studying, teaching and interning. She works as an intern at Occidental Elk Hills.

"It's been fun to support my team," at the oil company," she said.

"My mentor teaches every aspect of the field, trying to give out all that knowledge," Cobos said. "At Oxy, we work as a team."

Robert Negrini, another Cal State geology professor, said Cobos is a hard-working student who has a genuine passion for geology.

"Sophia is one of the best students in a group of (elite) students that we have in our geology master's program," Negrini said.

In between being a full-time student and intern, Cobos manages to squeeze in time to be a student-teacher for two geology classes at the university.

Although she said she loves the friendliness of Bakersfield, she misses the warm smiles and the cultural and racial harmony of her homeland.

"In Venezuela, it's a paradise," she said. "In my country, there's no social segregation. It's a mix of everything. People are more open-minded."

Cobos won't be returning to Venezuela for work anytime soon, though.

"All my friends who graduated or worked with me (at Pdvsa) don't have jobs," she said. "The company isn't the same anymore."

After she graduates, Cobos said she will either work for an oil company or continue her studies in the United States.

Ultimately, Cobos wants to work at an oil company that will allow her to conduct regional studies and travel worldwide for samples.

"I would like to finish the (doctorate program), then work for about 10 to 15 years, and then teach for the rest of my life," Cobos said. "Right now, I am young. I'm open to travel and to do lots of things."