My Placement Year In Industry

Since starting my placement year with Soiltechnics training to be a geo-environmental engineer, I have had the opportunity to work alongside the skilled professionals who form this company and the chance to dive into a variety of exciting projects, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the process. My time at Soiltechnics has certainly been memorable – from learning how to operate new software tools such as QGIS and writing technical reports in the office, to traveling around the UK, logging to British standards and most likely getting soaked completing fieldwork.

From Environmental Science to Geo-Environmental Practice

As an Environmental Science student at Lancaster University, my exposure to geo-environmental engineering was very limited when I first started. This is why one of the highlights of my placement was being constantly exposed to a multitude of different jobs and being able to get well and truly stuck in exploring information, techniques and problems I had never encountered or interpreted before. For example, I learnt to consider the historical impact of mining, landfills and the potential consequences from various industrial and commercial activities on a site.

I was also taught how to complete foundation and chemical assessments and based on such, recommend suitable strategies and solutions clients could utilise.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the fieldwork aspect included in my role. I have joined colleagues on a variety of jobs and witnessed an array of ground investigation techniques that I would never have encountered during my degree.

A transformative placement year of learning

Reflecting on this year, I can say with confidence my placement has been an exceptionally valuable experiences and one of the highlights of my academic journey. With the guidance of colleagues and the fantastic training courses I have been able to attend, I have deepened my understanding of geo-environmental engineering and gained knowledge and skills I will take into my future career.