“The opportunity to apply my background in geoscience and risk in a fast-growing and global industry across various projects at Cathie is exciting and continues to motivate me in my career.”
What made you passionate about this industry?
My background is in science and geography, and I’ve always had a strong interest in geohazards and risk. So, when the opportunity came up to combine all of those areas and apply them in the real world, it was a very exciting opportunity.
Growing up in the Northeast of England, a region known for its strong links to offshore energy and infrastructure, it felt natural to move into this field. And with today’s global push for greener energy, it’s an exciting industry to be part of.
What does your day-to-day role involve, and how does it support clients?
I’m part of the cables team, and a core part of what we do at Cathie is deliver cable risk assessments to our clients. Day-to-day, that means analysing seabed conditions, vessel activity, and identifying potential risks along proposed cable routes…to name a few examples!
We use this information to recommend safe burial depths and protection strategies, helping our clients make confident, data-driven decisions on their offshore projects.
Beyond project work, I also lead developments within the Cables team aimed at improving our processes. (and enhancing how we deliver value to clients.)
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone interested in engineering or geoscience?
Take every opportunity that will allow you to enhance your skills and figure out what you like, explore as many different areas of the field as you can. One thing I’ve learned is how broad this industry really is. I work in just one small area of it, but each role I’ve taken has helped me learn more and stay motivated.
Since joining Cathie, I’ve had the opportunity to work with different teams and take on new challenges. That’s been key to helping me figure out what I enjoy and where I want to focus my career.
One of the great perks of the job has been attending industry conferences and connecting with peers from local events like ESCA and Submarine Networks London to others across the UK and Europe. These experiences have been invaluable for my professional development.
And don’t underestimate the importance of giving back.
Last year, I returned to Durham University to speak to the Risk Masters students at the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience. It was a great moment to reflect on how the course helped start my career and to hopefully inspire the next generation of engineers and geoscientists.
Interested in joining Cathie?
All our current vacancies are advertised on LinkedIn. We’re always interested in hearing from talented people who’d like to be part of Cathie. If you believe your profile could be a good fit, please send your CV to HR@cathiegroup.com. We’ll add it to our talent pool and be in touch if a suitable opportunity comes up.