Project Manager at Holcim Kies & Beton AG in Switzerland (A member of the Holcim Group, known as Lafarge in Canada)

Gideon in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland.

The first 21 years of my life were spent in Switzerland. After finishing a 4-year apprenticeship as an Electrician, I quickly realised that I wanted more. Being a dual citizen, life brought me to Canada. Originally, my interest was in different, but related subject areas. However, by a pure coincidence, I was lucky enough to meet and talk to Dr. Hamid Mumin. The chair of BU’s geology department at the time. After that, I decided to sign up for their program.

In all honesty, I barely had a clue what geology is about. There were no touching points with it in my life prior to Dr. Simon Pattison’s introductory class. Somewhat to my own surprise, I was hooked almost instantly. I quickly came to learn that it is about a lot more than “just rocks”. The diversity of fields and environments it has to offer is stunning. One can choose to work at the beach, the mountains, on volcanoes, in an underground mine or many other places. From studying coral reefs, to classic exploration work, up to being part of the development of geothermal power plants, everything is possible.

Graduating in the midst of a pandemic has proven to be somewhat tricky. Among others and for financial reasons, I decided to move back home right after handing in my Honour’s thesis. Although Switzerland was in a lockdown at the time, it only took a month for me to find employment related to my field of study. I landed an internship with Holcim for the summer. Originally, I wanted to start a masters right away in fall 2020. However, the pandemic added unprecedented uncertainties. Being offered a well paid full time position with added benefits, I stayed with the company.

Nonetheless, not willing to give in to COVID, I reduced my work load to 70% and started a masters in sustainable development at the University of Basel in fall 2021. My boss is supportive and trusts me a lot. It allows for me to make the most out of my time. All that was only possible thanks to the education and life lessons received and learned at Brandon University.

My advice to future students, do not be intimidated by the basic science requirements. Even if it means that one has to add an extra semester or two, it is totally worth it. The amount of doors this degree can open, for an open mind, is incredible.