Careers with STEM, 13 February, 2024 | Graduate hydrogeologist Gidyea Venner
Gidyea was inspired to study a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) at QUT after meeting a group of Australian Geographic and Queensland Herbarium scientists during his gap year in the Kimberley.
He loved that this degree allowed him to be in the field and that it satiated his curiosity about the natural world.
In his current role as a graduate hydrogeologist for Australasian Groundwater and Environmental (AGE), Gidyea is helping to supervise drilling efforts for monitoring wells on a major infrastructure project in Queensland. This involves advising on casing and development and regular sampling and monitoring tests.
He’s also just completed a hydrogeological honours project, for which he submitted a thesis on mapping the shallow springs of the Great Artesian Basin. This was a geophysical, hydrochemical, and hydrogeological investigation with a case study on Turraburra, a native title property near Aramac in Queensland.
He’s excited about how this partnership with the Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC) on Turraburra may evolve after the new Faculty of Indigenous Knowledges and Culture announcement at QUT.
Gidyea’s favourite thing about his job is always being in new environments.
“Plus, continuing to operate within the cultural interface between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems whenever I have the opportunity,” he adds.
For those who want to follow in his footsteps, Gidyea believes there are exciting opportunities to improve groundwater modelling rapidly.
“It’s becoming much more sophisticated and reliable, and increasing computing power aids this.”
And when he’s not working? Gidyea (named after a native tree) is flexing his creative talents by playing folk and country music!
Gidyea’s study and career path to becoming a graduate hydrogeologist
- Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science), QUT
- Graduate hydrogeologist, AGE
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), QUT
This profile was brought to you in partnership with Careers with STEM and a version of it was originally published in Careers with STEM: Science.
Author
Careers with STEM is a valued QUT partner and hub of all things STEM careers and study.