Caroline Richard
Geotechnical Engineer
BGC Engineering
Learn About My Career
I work in the mining industry and manage the waste materials created during ore extraction.
I was born and raised in Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Quebec.
I now live in Montreal, Quebec.
I completed a bachelor degree in civil engineering at Laval University in Quebec City. I then continued my studies and completed a Master’s in Northern Engineering.
I work on mining projects located across Canada. Sometimes I have to travel to mine sites and work in the field. I do this when I have to follow up on construction, or participate in a drilling operations to study the composition of the soils. At other times, I visit sites to take samples and do in situ tests (tests directly on site) or participate in infrastructure inspections. I have other tasks for when I am in the office. Sometimes I write reports about what I have learned during the mine site visit. Other times I create spreadsheets for such things as dam design. At other times I analyze laboratory results to describe foundation soils. My work has allowed me to travel to the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
When I was in high school, I really liked math and physics. I decided to go into civil engineering because it is such a broad field. A bachelor's degree in civil engineering can lead to many different types of work. For example, you can work in such areas as environmental, structures, and geotechnical engineering. You can also work on hydraulic systems and design buildings and foundations. Civil engineers also design roads, bridges, dams, water and sewer systems as well as water treatment systems.
I decided to continue my studies at the master's level, which led me to travel to Salluit in Nunavik and the Yukon. I really enjoyed doing research. I also enjoyed participating in conferences to present my results and having a field component to set up my study sites. I then realized that I liked to travel for work, solve problems and work in a team. Working in the mining field ticks all these boxes!
I really enjoy solving problems and having the opportunity to travel to the sites I work on. Teamwork is essential in what I do, I work with a diverse team of specialists and I learn every day!
The mining industry is essential to the technologies we use every day. It is produces the materials that are needed for the transition to green energy. To manufacture components for electric vehicles, wind turbines or solar panels you need such minerals as lithium, graphite, copper, nickel, and cobalt.
I enjoy running, biking, hiking and camping. I enjoy traveling, trying new foods and playing board games. After my studies in Quebec, I moved to Calgary for work and loved spending time in the mountains.
When I was in school, I didn't know I was going to work in the mining industry. I think that if you just go for it and take the challenges that are presented to you, the opportunities will follow on their own. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experience as much as you can. The field of civil engineering is very broad.
What I do at work
I work on mining projects located across Canada. Sometimes I have to travel to mine sites and work in the field. I do this when I have to follow up on construction, or participate in a drilling operations to study the composition of the soils. At other times, I visit sites to take samples and do in situ tests (tests directly on site) or participate in infrastructure inspections. I have other tasks for when I am in the office. Sometimes I write reports about what I have learned during the mine site visit. Other times I create spreadsheets for such things as dam design. At other times I analyze laboratory results to describe foundation soils. My work has allowed me to travel to the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
My career path is
When I was in high school, I really liked math and physics. I decided to go into civil engineering because it is such a broad field. A bachelor's degree in civil engineering can lead to many different types of work. For example, you can work in such areas as environmental, structures, and geotechnical engineering. You can also work on hydraulic systems and design buildings and foundations. Civil engineers also design roads, bridges, dams, water and sewer systems as well as water treatment systems.
I decided to continue my studies at the master's level, which led me to travel to Salluit in Nunavik and the Yukon. I really enjoyed doing research. I also enjoyed participating in conferences to present my results and having a field component to set up my study sites. I then realized that I liked to travel for work, solve problems and work in a team. Working in the mining field ticks all these boxes!
I am motivated by
I really enjoy solving problems and having the opportunity to travel to the sites I work on. Teamwork is essential in what I do, I work with a diverse team of specialists and I learn every day!
How I affect peoples’ lives
The mining industry is essential to the technologies we use every day. It is produces the materials that are needed for the transition to green energy. To manufacture components for electric vehicles, wind turbines or solar panels you need such minerals as lithium, graphite, copper, nickel, and cobalt.
Outside of work I
I enjoy running, biking, hiking and camping. I enjoy traveling, trying new foods and playing board games. After my studies in Quebec, I moved to Calgary for work and loved spending time in the mountains.
My advice to others
When I was in school, I didn't know I was going to work in the mining industry. I think that if you just go for it and take the challenges that are presented to you, the opportunities will follow on their own. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experience as much as you can. The field of civil engineering is very broad.
When I was a student I enjoyed:
- Geography
- Math
- Foods & Nutrition
- Physical Education/Health
- Science
- Technology
When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:
- Always wanted to be outside
- Organized activities for my friends
- Played on a sports team
- Liked reading
- Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
- Always threw the best parties
Partners
Related Topics
Explore More Career Profiles
-
Brianna Lummerding
Career Profiles
Agronomic Innovation Manager
I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers. -
Li Tan (he/him)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Tyler Morhart (video)
Career Profiles
Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND
I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility. -
Li Tan (Video)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
Career Profiles
Senior Program Associate
I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL. -
Kira Hoffman (she/her)
Career Profiles
Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist
I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher. -
Zoë Ehlert (Video)
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Zoë Ehlert
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
Career Profiles
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change
I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world. -
Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
Career Profiles
Ph.D. Candidate
I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories. -
Joann Whalen
Career Profiles
Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.