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Hydrogeologist: Natasha

This Case Study belongs to Hydrogeologist.

Natasha has an MSc in hydrogeology and is working for the consultancy firm Arup.

My degree in hydrogeology taught me the theory and background to groundwater science. We went on field trips and had lab classes that also provided useful background. I still find my old textbooks and notes invaluable when dealing with new problems at work. I was very lucky to get a job four months before finishing my MSc. My current team leader did a presentation to our class at university and asked for CVs if we were interested in joining Arup.

I joined the graduate training scheme straight after university. I have been a graduate engineer for two-and-a-half years now. As an engineer I do most of the technical work and report writing for projects. I do a lot of desk-based data collection and data analysis studies. I have also had a lot of field experience, including environmental impact assessments, borehole pump tests and supervision of site investigation works. I am gradually taking on more responsibilities and learning more about the project management side of the job.

I enjoy the variety of projects that I get to work on, which always keeps me interested, and I look forward to going to work. The people within my company are friendly and supportive and the working atmosphere is very good despite the pressure we are sometimes under.

The progression of my career is marked out somewhat in the structure of our company and the way we move up the ranks. That said, I do have control over the particular field within hydrogeology in which I specialise. At the moment I am on secondment to our London office so that I can work on ground energy jobs, which is a new and exciting field within hydrogeology. Responsibilities increase in line with experience and I will move from a project engineer to become a project manager. At Arup, we are expected to be chartered members of a relevant professional institution. I am a fellow of the Geological Society , which has a Hydrogeology Group, and am working my way towards becoming a chartered geologist.

Being in the consultancy industry can sometimes be stressful when a deadline is looming or site works that you are responsible for go wrong. However, the job satisfaction that I get far outweighs the stressful times, which at the moment are few.

My experience has taught me that it's very important to research the field that you are interested in and make sure that there is a demand for people within that field. Another piece of advice would be to gain relevant experience, such as a summer placement, to make you stand out from the crowd.

Case Study sourced by Rachel Howlett of University of York, 22 June 2009.