Through the eyes of a geologist

The most recent Geoscientist published for February 2014, included a double-paged spread featuring reader’s letters.  The topic in hand from many readers was the role of fieldwork mapping which came about after Desmond Donovan questioned whether it was needed in the UK at all. Isle of Arran fieldwork group In agreeance with Andy Howard, who made the relevant point that mapping is actually a skill – despite the fact that it produces new up-to-date geologically relevant maps, is that it allows for an undergraduate like me, to question why a geologist interpreted a geological structure the way they did. It allows me to critically analyse someone else’s interpretation when I’m in the field and not to be afraid if I had a different view. Ultimately, as field maps are replaced and areas are becoming more detailed, the skill of mapping should be encouraged as the new map itself is just a by-product of one’s learning. The principles of fieldwork mapping I have learnt wit...

On the 14th November, a colleague and myself attended the Women in Mining Conference based at K&L Gates. It was an annual education event, giving students an insight into potential careers in mining and resources. The first lady to speak was Froydis Cameron, an inspiration successful geologist, whom empowered her audience that evening. The main aspects I took away from Froydis's speech, as she gave us a brief overview of her education and career so far, was to listen to yourself and make decisions that are best for you, and most importantly never be afraid to ask for help. It's comforting to hear that from a professional with such a diverse and successful career. As a geology undergraduate, it didn't occur to me that the mining industry would need anthropologists, biologists and medics just to name a few. The diversity of skills within the mining industry from both men and women is it's success, where there is no longer this perception of just men in the workplace....

Last weekend, the University of Leicester Trampoline Club, including myself, competed at the Manchester Open 2013. It was my first time competing, so yes I was nervous! My first routine went well, but the second less so, think the nerves got to me. It was a great experience, and now I know it's not that bad, I will be competing more often. It was a great turn out and we ended the Saturday off with a pyjama party with all the competing universities. Team Leicester I am off home for Christmas now, but my trampoline is up in the garden, ready for practise!

Yesterday, I finished my training and have become a fully qualified Leicester Student Ambassador! It’s a highly competitive by casual role, great for balancing between studies and work. A few hundred applicants applied, where they were aiming to hire 70-80 Ambassadors. At first, we had to apply via an application form which gets graded, then had to attend a selection event at university. Before attending, it was very daunting, but my mum reminded me to just be myself, so I did! The first training we received, we were placed in groups and given real life scenarios Ambassadors have come across in previous years. It was really interesting with regards to what questions and situations Ambassadors have been in before. We discussed how we would approach the situation in hand, and then we got told how it was actually handled. The following week, we received Campus Tour Training. In groups of 6 or 7, we gave our group a mini tour, where each of us got given an area to talk about. I ...

Having finally received my certificate in the post with regards to the Online Networking Leicester Award, I have now begun my second - Future Leaders Leicester Award which is sponsored by Enterprise Rent-a-Car. I had my first training session yesterday, 5-8pm, which at first I was dreading as it would be a long day at university from 10am till 8pm, but I was pleasantly surprised. The session was informative and informal, led by terrific examples of successful leaders (rather than managers). What type of leader am I? Having completed the Situational Leadership Styles Questionnaire, I was dominantly a 'coaching' leader, as opposed to an 'encouraging', 'delegating', or 'structuring' leader. Being a 'coaching' leader demonstrates high directive behaviour entwined with high supportive behaviour. I did expect this result, as I do not see myself as a delegator, and do enjoy getting stuck into the work myself. What I also wasn't completely awar...

- The bitterling fish - Unio bivalve - A pregnant woman Unio sucks in the bitterling fish eggs via siphons. The eggs mature whilst similarly the Unio itself breeds. Unio releases the larvea, which symbiotically sticks to the fish. The bitterling fish can then be used as a pregnancy test. If a woman is pregnant, the ovipositors of the bitterling fish protude. Learn something new every day!