Exploration Geologist, Vancouver, British Columbia

Standing on cliffside of a Limestone outcrop, 30 km east of Dease Lake, BC.

Brief biography:

I graduated from Brandon University in the spring of 2018 with a 4-year degree in Geology with a minor in Geography. I am currently employed as an Exploration Geologist with Tripoint Geological Services based in British Columbia. To be truthful, geology wasn’t on my radar as a career. I wanted to pursue carpentry at ACC solely for the purpose of playing college basketball but their program fell through one week before school started. I abandoned that and quickly enrolled at Brandon University and took different electives. The only class that grasped my attention was Intro to Earth Sciences and decided to declare my major then. My first couple years was indeed a struggle for me but due to small classes in the department, I was able to form significant relationships with my professors and mentors in the department. I am extremely grateful to all the professors and mentors in the geology department and I was able to successfully finish my undergraduate degree. After I graduated, I was employed at a geophysics company as a surveyor doing EM (electromagnetic) and gravity surveys for two years because I had trouble finding geology-related jobs. I’m extremely grateful for this experience as I was able to work in different parts of the world: Costa Rica, Ethiopia, US, Northwest Territories, to name a few. Through this, I was able to form connections with geologists that got me in touch with other geologists for possible employments which led me to where I am today.

The experience that I had at BU was definitely a positive one. With all the late nights and hardships throughout my 5 years in the program, it pushed me; to be better, persevere and develop fortitude. I am proud to say that “I graduated from Brandon University.”

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Canada at the age of 12.

Why are you interested in Geology?

I enjoy being outside all the time while “geofantisizing” at different geological structures and frequently ask myself “how did this get here/form?”

How did you become interested in Geology?

As a kid, I would always collect random rocks because I thought they looked cool. Never once crossed my thought of actually studying rocks and I am very glad I did because it’s a lot cooler knowing how it formed and where it came from. Also, being able to work outside and calling it your “office” is a huge plus.