Manager of Rock Properties, Core Laboratories Canada, Calgary

Carolyn in the Sahara Desert

Fresh out of high school and starting Brandon University in that fall – I thought I had it all figured out – I was going to be an engineer.  I’d take a year or two of classes at Brandon University then transfer to another university to continue on with an engineering degree. Unbeknown to me at the time – Brandon University and the Geology Department had other ideas for me. After taking Intro to Earth Science, Historical Geology and Mineralogy – I was hooked. Geology really combines the best parts of all the sciences while also stretching the creative, problem solving part of the brain.

Following completion of my Bachelor’s degree, I went on to complete a Masters in Geology at the University of Alberta in 2011. After graduation I landed a full-time position as a Geologist for Core Laboratories Integrated Reservoir Solutions group in Houston, Texas and have been with them ever since. With Core Laboratories being a global lab services company, I got exposed to cores and rock from all over the world. Working on projects in all of the basins in continental North America to offshore projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Israel and Mozambique, I have been extremely lucky to gain so much experience in a short amount of time. Upon moving back to Canada, I quickly became the project manager for various up and coming plays in Canada and subsequently the SME (subject matter expert) in unconventional plays. Now, as Manager of Rock Properties, I routinely present at a number of conferences every year and have a team of junior geologists in which I mentor to be the next generation of exceptional geoscientists.

I remember the exact moment I wanted to pursue a career in Geology – at a Mining and Minerals conference in Winnipeg – my eyes really got opened to the possibilities and avenues available as a career geoscientist. After that point, Brandon University’s Geology Department only nurtured that ambition to be the best I could be. Smaller class sizes coupled with lifelong relationships forged between the faculty and students is something so unique to Brandon University that I really took for granted at the time. I now look fondly back on my time at Brandon University and am very appreciative of the level of education and support from the Geology Department and faculty there.