In this episode Justin Thomas, a senior geotechnical engineer from Atlas Technical Consultants, discusses his journey into the field of geological engineering. Justin emphasizes the importance of mentorship throughout his career and encourages listeners to seek out mentors to help guide their professional growth.
Justin further highlights the importance of networking, pointing out that often, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” He urges undergraduates to actively participate in professional groups, sharing his own experiences with the Association for Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) and how this group has provided him with numerous opportunities and insights over the years.
In the realm of professional challenges, Justin talks about his initial experiences in construction materials testing, a challenging field due to its high-pressure environment. He notes that proactive communication was key in navigating these obstacles and establishing trust with contractors was invaluable.