Women in Construction Week – Engineering Geologist Role

In August 2022, we were delighted to welcome our new Graduate Engineering Geologist Megan to our Head Office in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The last few months have passed by quickly and so we thought we would catch up with her during Women in Construction Week to see how things were going.

So, what sparked your interest in Geology?
Growing up in Australia, I was always interested in collecting and studying rocks. Later in life I had the opportunity to take geology A level, which was when I knew I had discovered my passion for geology. I then discovered fossil hunting areas in the south-east of the UK, dragging my family along to help me find ancient teeth and bones and add to my small (but growing!) fossil collection.

What did you study as an undergraduate?
I studied geology, choosing my extra modules to pursue specific interests such as meteorology and palaeontology. At the same time, I studied engineering geology and hydrogeology in order to widen my knowledge and improve my employability.

What attracted you to ST Consult / Southern Testing?
Southern Testing offers experience in all fields of geology, with both practical site work alongside office work. This attracted me, as it provides a great skillset and an ability to do a range of jobs in geology. At my interview everyone was very warm and created a welcoming atmosphere.

Another big attraction was the company graduate training scheme, which is accredited by the Geological Society of London; even after university there is still so much to learn about geology and working at Southern Testing is the perfect environment for that.

You have been with us for seven months now. What have you been working on and what have you enjoyed doing the most so far?
For my first few weeks I was working in the lab, learning the different geotechnical tests carried out on a daily and weekly basis. This was very interesting and gave me a good understanding of how soil samples taken during site work link into everything.

In the office and on-site I have worked alongside other engineers on both geotechnical and geoenvironmental projects. During this time, I have taken on more responsibility, learning how to quote for projects and organise my own jobs from the ground up.

I have really enjoyed getting out to site and getting hands-on with logging and sampling different lithologies – the geology in the south-east of the UK is incredibly variable. Every day is different for each project. I have also carried out water sampling and even taken samples from river sediments while manning a boat!

As I did not study the environmental side of geology at university, I was surprised to find how interesting and complicated a geoenvironmental investigation can be. I have found it both fun and challenging to work on these projects, understanding the implications of each test result and matching them up to different screening values that tie in to different land uses.

What would you tell people interested in a career in geology /ground investigation?
If you enjoy geology, a career in the sector is very rewarding and full of like-minded people. Geology offers a wide range of opportunities – don’t hesitate to get stuck into a geology career!

We know that you enjoy geology. What are your other interests?
I love walks in nature and learning about bird species. I also have a great time on my motorbike at weekends, going on rides through the countryside or riding to bike meetups and shows. At home, I enjoy gaming and I often have an art project that I am working on.