ACA Howe International:Hannah
From CareersWiki
Hannah Steaggles
| Degree | Bsc Earth Sciences - using your degree |
| Graduation date | 2009 |
| Company | ACA Howe International |
| Job Title | Work experience/ Assistant Geologist |
| Finding the opportunity | I found this opportunity through speculative approach of all geoscientific related ‘local’ companies using yell.com! I typed in “geo” found a large list of geotechnical and geological service companies and providers, looked each company up on the internet and contacted those which interested me with my CV and cover letter. |
| Application process | I applied by speculative approach of multiple companies by sending by post my CV and a cover letter explaining that I studied geoscience and felt I was unsure of any direction in specialization and was interested to get an insight into the industry through their company. Obviously I adapted the cover letter and modules which interested varying on the company. I heard back from 3 and accepted ACA Howe after they offered a full time paid placement for the summer. |
| Selection process | Luckily there was no selection process as this was informally set up. However following my application they have since added a note on their website that they are more than happy to receive CVs & covering letters from Geoscience undergraduates who may be offered adhoc positions during the summer. |
| What have you been doing? | I worked a 9-5 day in an office for the duration of the placement, except when I was sent on business to the BGS, Nottingham to retrieve and sort through archive records. I worked in a small office (maximum 5 people in the office) normally alongside the Senior Geologist and GIS specialist. I also interacted by phone and email with the senior consultants who normally work away from the office. As part of the deal of the placement I was asked to sort out and redesign their filling system within the office of all reports, maps, papers, documentation, journals, CD data, etc. Although at times this was a little tedious they were more than happy for me to take my time reading articles as I went, asking questions about reports and documentation which gave me time to have an insight into the entire Mining Industry of which I admit I knew very little about including the importance of economic side of the industry and financial awareness of investors!
In return, I was given training in use of Micromine- an industry resource modeling software and their GIS package. This then allowed me to be assigned tasks of data importing, handling and analyzing data with initial stage interpretations of geological and chemical data for reports which included creating cross-sections across an Ag and Cu bearing vein deposit in Mexico. Other tasks included large quantities of data handling and statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel as well as research on; countries mining laws, drilling technology, analytical assay techniques, tracking down archives from the British Coal Authority and using my French language skills to interpret and input French drillers logs onto the computer system for a Gold project in Mali, Africa. |
| What are the main things you have gained from this experience. | I gained a good insight into the Mining industry and the financial side of geosciences which I could not have gathered from my university experience as economic geology is side lined in academia.
I also vastly improved all my IT skills particularly with the use of both Excel and GIS software which I hope will stand me in good stead for future jobs. I gained futher contacts and experience through the summer which again I think is vital to future success within the industry. Finally I had a taste of the real world 9-5 office life (including an hourly commute!) with a salary for two months, making sure I had had a refreshing break from university but was ready to come back for my final year keen and eager to find a job which allows me to leave the office periodically and get out into the field.
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