Graduate Engineering Geologist at Stantec, Nelson, New Zealand

Hi! I’m Roy and I’ll let you know about me, geology and my time at BU. I grew up in Nelson, New Zealand and have been fascinated by geology since I can remember. I recall looking at the shell fossils in the hills and mountains near my house and I just had to know how they got there! Once I had my own rock collection and experienced a number of earthquakes first-hand, I knew geology was the career for me.

 After finishing high school in NZ, I moved to Brandon and started at BU. After 5 years and almost completing all the geology department courses on offer, I moved overseas to follow a childhood dream to play professional volleyball. Upon moving back to NZ, I landed a job as an Engineering Geologist. Over the past few years I have been involved with investigating and reporting on large scale transport projects, water pipelines and pump stations, hydrogeology assessments, dam site investigations and remediations, landslide mapping and many other civil engineering projects that have kept me out in the field finding fascinating rock specimens.

 BU and the Geology department was essential in providing the foundational knowledge that has allowed me to thrive as an Engineering Geologist. The geology department has a broad course offering yet each professor has a complete and thorough understanding in their course content. The smaller class sizes allowed for personal experience where us students could freely ask questions and they were happy to help out of class when needed. Knowing that the geology department has had successful careers and close ties with industry was encouraging for our geology careers after BU.

 I would highly recommend that any students with a sense of curiosity in earth sciences sign up for the first year courses, you will definitely not regret it!