Geologist

Name: Esme

Job title: Geologist (Chile)

What are your qualifications?

A levels: Maths, Geography, General Studies, Biology, Further Maths
BSc Honours in Geology from Imperial College, University of London
MSc Mineral Projects Appraisal

What exactly does a geologist do?

A geologist can conduct a huge variety of different type of work. In the exploration side of the mining industry where I work, a geologist conducts:

• Core logging,
• Mapping,
• Geological interpretation,
• Logistics and project management such as running a field camp or a drilling operation,
• Data management and map making.
  

Apart from formal qualifications, what other skills or characteristics do you need?

• Geological experience (unfortunately only gained with time and good projects),
• Knowledge and experience working with GIS programmes,
• Adaptability,
• People skills.

What sort of organisation do you work for? Who else employs geologists?

I work for a mining company who has many international operations. I specifically work within the exploration division of the company. Other than the mining industry geologists are also employed by oil companies, environmental and hazard management organisations, engineering companies for site investigations and also by investment banks for assessing potential investments or as analysts.

If this wasn’t your first job after your studies, what did you do in between?

This was my first job after leaving university.

Do you travel within the UK or overseas very much?

I have lived overseas since beginning employment, as almost all mining and exploration is conducted outside the UK. This is a great benefit of working in exploration as all the travelling and seeing new places is very exciting. Mixing that with getting to know the local communities in these places is a fantastic experience.

Do you work a regular length day/week or are shifts involved?

This varies greatly, depending on the project and the season. I work in a part of the world where fieldwork can only be conducted during the summer months, so during this time everyone works on a rota. During less busy times of year I work a normal 5 day week, with weekends off.

What do you enjoy about your job?

• Working outdoors.
• The challenges of understanding geology and working in a relatively tough industry.
• Living outside of the UK
• Having my comfort zones challenged and pushed.
• Improving my confidence, abilities and skills.
  

What advice or extra information do you wish you’d had before starting this career?

I believe that all information is available to people if they look in the right places. Telling students where these right places are would be useful eg websites with latest mining news and metal prices, publications and journals etc. Also since the mining/geology world is highly network based I think organising well advertised inexpensive conferences or informal meetings for students and industry personnel would improve relations between universities and industry.

What position would you like to hold in five years' time?

I don’t have any well defined plans on my future, although I hope to stay in exploration if I am constantly challenged and kept busy! In general I hope to have a position of significant responsibility, a position which I admire today, as I am still developing the skills needed and gaining the confidence to conduct the job.