Alumni profiles

Previous students of the School of Earth Sciences describe their careers since graduating and share their experiences of Bristol.

Courtney Jiskoot, MSci Geology with Study Abroad, 2014

Describe your current role and responsibilities

I work as a Wireline Field Engineer in the oil and gas sector, which involves constant movement and changing scenarios (I'm choppered to 4 rigs every month on average), fast problem-solving, and adapting to new cultures and work processes. I've travelled all over the world, living in Malaysia, Myanmar and currently Norway, with stints in UAE and Italy. I'm never working with a group of people with a single nationality.

How would you describe your experience at Bristol?

What I strongly recall during my first year in Bristol was the surprise and jealousy from all my friends in halls: they didn't understand how I had so many friends in my department. This of course was due to the fact that we spent so much time together during field trips and practicals which allowed us all to integrate and bond.

How did your qualification help you in your career?

The course was a fantastic mix of theoretical - with technical problems and research projects - and practicals, that allowed us to directly apply our knowledge and not be enclosed by a screen. Professors encouraged an inquisitive attitude and designed a range of field trips. During my time at Bristol I managed to go to several countries for these: Spain, Greece and Chile.

All these factors I strongly believe contributed to my current career. Bristol encouraged me to be outgoing, and studying Geology made me realise I was never going to be comfortable with a standard desk job.

Edward Cox, BSc Geology, 2011

‌Describe your current role and responsibilities

I plan and design drilling programmes and log the resulting drillholes. I provide geological input into grade control and mining underground and geologically map mined areas.

Summarise your career since leaving

In my six months at Alacer Gold I have so far learned the core aspects of my job such as core logging, underground mapping and sampling and using the companies chosen mining software package 'Vulcan'.

How would you describe your experience at Bristol?

My experience at Bristol was very rewarding socially and academically. Bristol has some of the most challenging Earth science degrees and as a result I felt I was a step ahead of other graduates when applying for my first job.

How did your qualification help you in your career?

My qualification is related directly to my chosen career. I use almost all the skills I learnt completing my degree in my field of work.

Do you have any advice for someone considering studying Earth Sciences at Bristol?

Make sure you are interested in your chosen degree, research it thoroughly and talk to current students. I couldn't imagine doing a degree I didn't enjoy.

Michael Cassidy, MSci Geology, 2006

‌Describe your current role and responsibilities

I am a PhD student at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. I focus on the volcanology and geochemistry of Montserrat, a volcanic island in the Caribbean, but I also work on other volcanoes in Iceland and Tenerife.

Summarise your career since leaving

Whilst at Bristol I came across an opportunity to research volcanoes in Mexico, so after finishing by Geology degree, I spent for four months there as a volunteer research assistant, it was a thrilling experience.

Following this I completed an MSc in Volcanology and Geological Hazards at Lancaster University, I knew at that stage that I wanted to continue studying volcanology.

I decided to do a PhD at the University of Southampton, which concentrated on volcanism on Montserrat, West Indies. I still enjoy scientific research and it has taken me to some fantastic places, from the Caribbean, Iceland to South America with fieldwork and conferences.

How would you describe your experience at Bristol?

Bristol was a great place to study and live, after moving around the country a lot in recent years, Bristol still remains one of my favourite cities.

How did your qualification help you in your career?

The good grounding in geology I received from Bristol's renowned Earth Sciences department certainly helped my academic progression. I was taught by some of the most respected names in the field, this is something my employers definitely took into consideration.

Do you have any advice for someone considering studying Earth Sciences at Bristol?

The University of Bristol has a great reputation and is set in a cultured and vibrant city, the science departments are internationally recognised, few places in the UK match these attributes.

Oliver Ward, BSc Geology, 2009

Describe your current role and responsibilities

I'm a field geophysicist at WesternGeco, a segment of Schlumberger oil field services, working on seismic survey vessels. On-board my main role is to process newly acquired seismic data used to image the subsurface in the search for oil and gas.

The job sends me to far-flung places but also means adapting to 12-hour shifts and a 5-week rotation. Training has sent me to Paris, Abu Dhabi and Houston all within the first four months.

Also, life offshore requires an element of survival training from being submerged in a helicopter simulation to fighting fires equipped with full breathing apparatus

Summarise your career since leaving

After six-months as a Technical Assistant I realised a Masters was required to kick-start my career. I applied and received offers from a number of universities where I chose to study Exploration Geophysics at the University of Leeds.

In the spring I managed to secure full funding for Leeds and a summer placement at CGGVeritas before term started in the autumn. Nine-months of extremely hard work and persistence saw me through to my summer project with Northern Petroleum, based in the City, evaluating prospective hydrocarbon accumulations in the Netherlands.

My qualifications and experience led me to numerous interviews and helped me secure a job with WesternGeco before the end of the academic year.

How would you describe your experience at Bristol?

Bristol's School of Earth Sciences is world-renowned for its research and a strong focus on the teaching of the core fundamentals of geoscience.

My degree in geology was not for the feint-hearted but my hard work and perseverance was rewarded. Bristol taught me the importance of independent study, a quality I transferred to my Masters and my career.

Hands-on geology, using a microscopes, hand-lenses and hammers along with engaging fieldtrips was in abundance which appealed to a budding geoscientist with a love for the outdoors.

Two courses I particularly enjoyed were Engineering Geology, a fascinating insight to civil engineering, and Applied Geophysics which sparked my interest to become a geophysicist.

Entering the University I found myself surrounded by intelligent and engaging people. Bristol, as a place to live, will always be my favourite city within the UK.

How did your qualification help you in your career?

A qualification from Bristol helped to sell myself to potential employers and gave me the confidence to express my own ideas and theories.

Geology requires you to visualise physical processes and understand the 'big picture', a skill I have employed in a surprising variety of ways in the workplace.

Do you have any advice for someone considering studying Earth Sciences at Bristol?

I knew from the age of 17 that I wanted to work offshore in the oil and gas industry, and a degree in geology from a reputable university was the first step at achieving this goal.

The physical sciences certainly have better employment prospects than other degrees but research NOW what career you wish to catch in the future.

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