Laura McGrath is seeking an entry-level position in environmental engineering utilizing her MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Strathclyde. She has extensive fieldwork and research experience from her university studies including collecting groundwater samples in Malawi. Laura enjoys both team and independent work and is reliable, hard-working, and determined with a genuine interest in the environmental sector.

1. Laura McGrath
3/2 133 Old Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, G5 0RE Email: Lauramc289@gmail.com Ph: 07927007467
Full clean Irish driving licence, 8 yrs driving experience
PERSONAL PROFILE
As a recent graduate with an M.Sc Hydrogeology from the University of Strathclyde, I am seeking an entry-level position
in the environmental engineering sector which will exploit my fieldwork experience and research skills gained from my
university education. During my studies, I successfully combined demanding university work with other commitments
proving I am motivated, organised, have the ability to work under pressure and a drive to complete tasks. I enjoy working
in a team but am also self-reliant and can work on my own. My education has provided me with the ability to gather
hydrogeological and geological information, interpret data and present findings in a concise manner at national and
international levels. I am keen to continue building my expertise through work and conferences or networking events. In
short I am reliable, hard-working, determined, eager to learn and have a genuine interest in the environmental sector.
EDUCATION:
Sept. 2014 – Aug. 2015 M.Sc Hydrogeology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
 Degree - Merit
 Dissertation: Detection of Arsenic in Groundwater in the Lower Shire Region of Malawi
- Hydrogeology - Water and Environmental Management
- Aquifer Mechanics - Research Protocols for Science & Eng.
- Groundwater Flow Modelling - Independent Study with Industry - VIP
- Contaminated Land - EIA
- Global Water Policy - Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Forensics - Fieldwork
Sept. 2013 – May 2014 Level 8 Certificate Energy and Environmental Engineering, Cork IT
 Pass – 65%
- Environmental Engineering - Environmental Chemistry
- Water Engineering - Ocean and Hydro Energy
- Environmental and Energy Engineering - Wastewater Engineering
Sept. 2009 – May 2013 B.Sc. in Earth & Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway
 Degree - 2:1 Honours
 Thesis: Influence of River Water on Saltwater in Galway Bay- Hydrology and Hydrogeology
- Geology - Palaeontology
- Physical and Chemical Oceanography - Geophysics
- Field-skills incl. fieldwork - Maths and physics
- Chemistry - Biology/ Zoology
WORK EXPERIENCE:
 Sept 2015 – Present Customer Care, Teleperformance, Glasgow
Trained in Sainsbury’s customer careline team and social media team. Answering calls and responding to social media
comments. Dealing with complaints and customer enquiries.
 Sept 2014 – Aug 2015 Class Representative (Volunteer), University of Strathclyde
Attended faculty meetings on behalf of the class. Provided advice to peers regarding university and personal problems.
 Feb 2014 – April 2014 College Tutor, NUI Galway
Provided exam and study guidance in several university modules. Met with students, focused on their problem areas.
 Sept 2012 – Oct 2013 Laboratory and field demonstrator, NUI Galway.
Explained concepts being taught, supported students with lab work, resolved queries, judged if student work was
adequate. Helped with set-up and dismantling of experimental and field equipment. Coordinated with other
demonstrators and lecturers to complete work efficiently.
 June 2009 – Aug 2012 Supermarket Assistant, O’Connor’s Kenyon St. Market, Nenagh
 June 2008 – Aug 2011 Volunteer Water Safety Instructor, Nenagh Swimming Pool
FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE:
 June/ July 2015 – 6 weeks in Blantyre, Malawi for postgraduate research dissertation. Collected groundwater samples
for field and laboratory hydrogeochemical analysis.
 April 2015 – 7 days in Dumfries, Scotland. Performed pump tests and recovery tests on Locharmoss Borehole. Carried
out geochemical analysis to determine the water quality. Performed theodolite surveying to determine the altitude of
the borehole.

2. Produced a group consultancy report as part of the module.
 March 2015 – daytrip to Mount Vernon closed mine, Glasgow. Carried out desk study and stage 1 site investigation to
identify monitoring borehole and trial pit locations. Produced group report suggesting geophysical techniques for stage
2 site investigation as part of the module.
 January and July 2015 – 2 days at Geosonic in Alloa. Performed pump tests, recovery tests and slug tests using single
and multiple pumps simultaneously to determine aquifer characteristics.
 October 2014 – daytrip to Linwood capped landfill, Linwood. Soil and leachate sample collection for laboratory
analysis to test for characteristic properties and contaminants including heavy metals and TOC. Produced group report
on findings and interpretation as part of the module.
 September 2012 – 7 days in Anglesey, Wales. Studied stratigraphic correlation. Logged and mapped geologic sections.
 Summer 2012 – 2 months in Galway, Ireland for undergraduate research thesis. Collected freshwater and saltwater
samples for field and laboratory hydrogeochemical analysis.
 April 2012 – 10 days in Hook Head, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Studied geological interrelation between land and ocean.
Carried out piezometer tests on beach sediments. Studied geological and palaeontological transgression of sea level.
 September 2011 – 3 days in the Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland. Studied land formation through glacial activities, limestone
geological features and cave systems.
 Two days on the R.V. Celtic Voyager collecting water data as part of EOS undergraduate surveys.
 Geophysics course with Geophysics Association of Ireland (GAI) and the Irish Association of Economical Geologist
(IAEG), Petersburg, Co. Galway. November 2nd
– 4th
2012.
SKILLS:
 Flow Modelling and Map making – Competent in BGS ZOOM Software, Google Earth, Quantum GIS 1.8.0, Google
SketchUp
 Data analysis – Conversant in use of specialist Lachat software (nutrients), VINDTA software (alkalinity) and use of
spectrophotometers. Competent in Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 22 for statistical analysis. Competent
in use of USGS GW_Chart for hydrogeochemical analysis.
 Conceptualization – Ability to understand interaction between geological units and effect on fluid and contaminant
transport in the subsurface.
 Site investigation – Can carry out environmental assessment of sites. Have knowledge of EIA and borehole drilling.
 Policy and Law – Knowledgeable in national and international water policy as well as resource management.
 Report writing – Proficient in Microsoft Word, A grades for many college assignments.
 Organisational and Time Management – Well able to stay on top of university work, hold a part-time job and/or a
volunteering position while continuing to pursue interests.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
 Abstract accepted to Environmental Science and Pollution Research Journal for paper on masters’ dissertation.
 Volunteered and attended “World Water Congress XXV” at EICC, Edinburgh, UK (May 2015).
 Presented group poster ‘Using EIA as a Design Tool’ and own poster ‘Checking for presence of arsenic in groundwater
in Malawi’ at the Engage with Strathclyde Event (May 2015). Created scientific poster based on undergraduate thesis
for Irish Geological Research Meeting (March 2013).
 Group presentation ‘Sustainable International Development’ VIP Networking Event (December 2014).
 Received bronze certificate with Strathclyde Enterprise Pathway.
 Created 8 minute group video ‘Conquest of Land’, currently has 511 YouTube views.
 Received undergraduate fieldwork grant from the IGA (Irish Geological Association), provided by the GSI (Geological
Survey of Ireland), December 2012.
 Received silver and bronze Gaisce awards (Irish equivalent to Duke of Edinburgh Award).
MEMBERSHIPS/ HOBBIES:
 Memberships: International Association Hydrogeologists (IAH) - 135170
 Swimming/ Gym – Swam competitively, won several medals at B grade, earned A grade status.
 Travelling – Visited many locations throughout Europe and North America, worked in Malawi.
REFERENCES:
Prof. Robert Kalin, Lecturer/ Academic Staff, University of Strathclyde, Dept. Civil & Env. Eng.
Phone: +44 (0)141 548 4649 E-mail: Robert.kalin@strath.ac.uk
Rachel Cave, Lecturer / Academic Staff, NUIG Earth and Ocean Department
Phone: +353 (0)91 492 351 E-mail: Rachel.Cave@nuigalway.ie