Rose Ganley
B.S. Environmental Science and B.S. Geology,
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,
Saint Louis University

Geologist I
Shannon and Wilson, Inc.

 
What's your job like? "I (used to work) in our soils lab, doing a lot of tests ... Now, I do a lot of CAD (computer-aided design) work (computer drafting, mostly site plans, cross sections, and fence diagrams), some GIS (geographic information systems)work, and data entry of bore logs and instrument readings.  I also do some field work, which includes soil and rock borings, water sampling, well drilling, and some construction monitoring." 

What's an interesting aspect of your job? "I drafted approximately 80 figures for a study of New Orleans levees that did not fail during the flooding.  An engineer analyzed them for structural stability in a number of settings (like 100 and 500 year flood stages, seepage underneath the levee, etc.), and I made cross sections and overlayed his analyses on top. I really enjoy the computer-related work that I do."

Any advice for current undergraduates? "I would advise the geology students to really research the job market before you graduate. I had no idea that I would be working at an engineering firm. I spend more time outside than I want to, and sometimes I have to do things I really don't like at all, like testing fill on a construction site. It seems like a lot of the work for geologists in St. Louis is the kind of work I do, so just make sure you know what you're getting into. There are other jobs if this doesn't appeal to you, but you really need to search for them and pursue them aggressively."