Ali Wasiliew, P.Geo

EXPLORATION GEOLOGIST

beth mclarty halfkenny

What is your current job title, and what do you do? Where do you spend most of your workday?

I am a Senior Project Geologist with a private services company based out of Kelowna, B.C. We provide various services and tools to exploration and mining companies across western Canada. Due to the diversity of our client base and their project needs, my job is very dynamic. I feel lucky to have worked on many different systems, from gold projects in the Yukon to rare element systems in the Golden Triangle, Southeast Asia.

I spend much of the summer in the field, running helicopter-assisted drill campaigns and doing field work such as mapping and strategic sampling. In the off-season (October-May), I work in the office checking and improving data using detailed hyperspectral and geochemical techniques. This type of interpretation work is the basis of many scientific reports and technical writings that are part of my duties.

What education, training and past work experience do you have?

I started working in the forestry management industry in 2007 while completing my B.Sc. in Geology. This experience helped give context to the way that data is collected in an Earth Science discipline. Field work is a big part of being a geologist, so having a good attitude and a willingness to get your hands dirty is integral to becoming a well-rounded and successful geoscientist. As well, field skills are directly applicable to mineral exploration and mining as they complement the industry’s high standard for safety.

What’s great about being an Earth Scientist?

For me, being a geoscientist is fulfilling and fun! I love contributing to the green-energy movement and natural resource industry through my work. Mineral exploration is definitely challenging at times (being away from home, family, and friends); however, the adventure of working in remote field camps with a tight-knit group of colleagues is well worth it…plus, helicopter fly-camps add a whole lot of excitement to the job!

What interests and abilities lend themselves well to an Earth Science career?

I believe somebody looking forward to a career in Earth Science is, above all, curious about Earth processes and how things became the way they are in the natural world.

What advice would you give someone interested in an Earth Science career?

Enjoy the ride and never say no to an opportunity for field work – even if it’s not where you would like to be in the long term.
ESC Careers