b'CAREER PROFILEDEPARTMENTA love for geologyFormer ski bum Tecia White found her perfect career as a hydrogeologist working in aggregatesQ: What is your position and what are your responsibilities?IamaseniorhydrogeologistandpresidentofWhitewater Hydrogeology Ltd. As the owner, Im responsible for all aspects oftheday-to-dayoperationofthecompanyfromprojectQ: What sort of education do you have that is relevant to your job?implementation, field work, data analysis and reporting, to clientI graduated from McMaster University with an honours degree and government liaison, clerical and accounting tasks.ingeology.Iwentontocompletemymastersdegreeatthe Q:What is it about your job that other people wish they gotUniversity of Toronto in hydrogeology while working full-time to do? for a hydrogeological consulting firm. Hydrogeology is essentially I might be a bit biased, but I think that many people wish that theya subfield of geology, or the study of how groundwater moves through the sub-surface. In the aggregate industry, it is fundamental could have both the freedom of being self-employed as well astounderstandhowtheextractionofmaterialinfluencesthe being able to do a job that they love. Most days I can wake up andgroundwater regime. With the state of science forever evolving, decide if its a good day to be in the field, or if I need to put in sometheres a constant need to continue learning. For me, this includes hours in front of the computer. newgroundwatermonitoringtools,dronetechnologiesand Q: What do you find most challenging in your work? computer programs.Its the balancing act thats required to keep myself educated onQ: Where do you see the industry going in the next few years?everythingfromnewtechnologiestogovernmentregulations,Being optimistic, I hope to see some improvements and clarity in keeping my clients informed of all changes that may impact theirmany of the provincial regulations that the industry must abide by. operations, ensuring that they always remain in compliance, andBecause the industry is regulated by multiple government agencies, makingsureImworkingwiththemostcurrentinformationI feel that there is significant overlap in environmental compliance available. requirements. If the regulations would allow for each component Q: Describe your typical day on the job and how the work youof the operation to be assessed to determine what threats it may ormaynotpose,thentheindustrycanfocuscomplianceon do contributes to your company.threat-based operations. A perfect example is the recent need for A typical day will either involve a day of fieldwork, office work oroperators to obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval for meetings. To bring a job to completion there are a series of stepssettling ponds.that need to be followed. Having said that, at any given time, my day can change as I always try to accommodate my clients needsQ: What advice would you give to others looking for a career in and ensure all projects are running smoothly. the aggregate industry?Q: How did you get interested in this field of work? There is a world of opportunity in the aggregate industry. Whether its for working directly in the pits and quarries, in the health and Likemany,Itookafewgapyearsbeforeuniversitytofindsafety or environmental departments, to the sale of the products. myself while living the ski bum life. While living in B.C., I had theCompanieswanttoseetheiremployeesachievesuccessand opportunity to assist a ski patrol team tracking glacier movement.be fulfilled in their roles. Over my 20 years in the industry, Ive This sparked my love for geology. At McMaster University I signedwatched new employees learn new skills that have helped them up for a course in karst geomorphology. The professor was one ofgrow within their organization. Its truly a unique industry filled the first educators to capture my attention and make me want towith great leaders and mentors, which can be hard to find when learn. I took this as a sign I was heading in the right direction!looking for an exciting new career. 22 AVENUESFALL 2021'