MSc Soil Mechanics with Engineering Geology, Imperial College London
Once I’d finished my undergraduate degree in Geology, I realised how much I had developed a love for learning and a real drive to make a difference in the geoscience world. I thrived on learning about the world from a perspective that could change the built environment for the better, by widening the understanding of the Earth and its processes throughout society.
After working over the summer, I realised that I wanted to go back to something that really excited me. I’d looked into heaps of graduate jobs, but I wanted to further my understanding in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, after realising that geology is the foundation for everything. Although geology was at the forefront of what I had done in my undergraduate degree, I have drastically widened my horizons by incorporating soil mechanics, and by being able to also see everything from an engineering standpoint too. The perspective that I now view geology and engineering with is so unique, it is like being able to see the whole of the bigger picture.
Geotechnical engineering really appealed to me because of the aspects that it covers such as foundations, embankments, slope stability, rock engineering and finite element analysis. I have had the opportunity to attend fantastic events such as the Rankine Lecture and Dinner and network with some of the pioneers in the geoscience world, geologists and engineers alike, at institutions such as the Geological Society of London and the Institute of Civil Engineers. The Master’s course has given me invaluable skills to continue with research or move into industry to solve engineering problems using geology. After all, the famous geologist Terzaghi once said “…geology is half of geotechnics…” – it really does underlie everything we do!
I am now able to tackle the impacts that climate change has within geoscience, working towards net zero and making the built environment a better place for women in geology and engineering. Undertaking a Master’s will enable you to work with other people in the geoscience community towards a shared goal of protecting the planet by learning from it.