Mabbett welcome not one but two new colleagues into our Land Management Team

Six months into their time at Mabbett, Suzanne Lindsay, Marketing Manager enjoyed a coffee and a chat with Nicole Hernandez and Sophie Douglas, Graduate Geo-Environmental Engineers.

Nicole, we are delighted to have you join the Mabbett Team, can you tell us what led you to consider a career in consultancy.

I am from Texas and came to Scotland in 2021 to study a Masters in Sustainable Water Environment, I loved it and decided to stay and find a job. I also have family in Edinburgh and am familiar with the culture and accents. My interest in land management was first sparked during my undergraduate degree, Environmental Geo-Science which included some classes in oceanography. During my undergraduate studies, I was a lab assistant for one of Professors that focused on rivers/studying river changes and effects of hurricanes/storms.

And turning to yourself Sophie, welcome to the Team, what sparked your interest in a career in land management/consultancy?

My undergraduate degree was Geology. When I finished it, I decided to enroll for the MSc in Sustainability & Environmental Studies at University of Strathclyde which included a contaminated land module. On completing my Masters, I was actively seeking job opportunities and came on Mabbett, I was intrigued by the job spec and have really enjoyed the project experience to date. I didn’t realise how varied projects would be, I have supported with traffic, construction and peat management plans as well as Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects.

 And Sophie, what do you enjoy most about the role?

I really enjoy supporting technical peer reviews which has enhanced my learning about contaminated land condition, and site visits to see more of Scotland and the UK. I recently had the opportunity to visit Shetland to take water samples, where I had never visited before.

 Wrapping up Nicole, to date what have you enjoyed most about the job.

Being a recent graduate, I very much appreciate the autonomy to deliver a project, this has helped develop my independence but with the assurance and support from Isabella (Manager, Land Development) and the wider Team.  I really enjoy going to site which has given me opportunity to travel across Scotland and visit London for first time.