Career change passes test for science lover Jessica

Geotechnical Lab Technician Jessica Robertson was reevaluating her career when a role came along that would open up a world of opportunities in a field she is truly passionate about.

Following her time in the armed forces, Jessica spent eight years working as a dental nurse. However, the challenges of the pandemic and the eventual closure of the dental practice forced her to reevaluate her career. Jessica’s husband spotted a vacancy at RSK Group company Structural Soils that piqued her interest, and she was keen to apply.

She said: “Initially, I approached the interview with the mindset of ‘if you don’t get this, it’s okay, you’ll find something else’. Afterwards, I realised just how much I wanted the job and felt I would make a meaningful contribution if I were successful, which I was.

“Having always been passionate about science, when I first walked through the doors to the laboratory, I was immediately excited about starting the work. What excited me even more was knowing that the testing Structural Soils carries out plays a critical role in shaping projects and ensuring safety and quality. The work we do is incredibly rewarding and essential, and it was that sense of purpose that drew me to Structural Soils.”

Jessica starts her day by carrying out critical checks to ensure the lab is operating smoothly. This involves monitoring the temperatures of the ovens, verifying the accuracy of the scales in each room and checking the overall room temperatures. These tasks are essential, as consistent conditions are crucial for ensuring test accuracy and reliability.

Once the checks are complete, Jessica reviews any internal requests and responds to any actions that require attention to ensure the team keeps all projects moving. She explained: “This is a key task that ensures workflow efficiency and resolves any outstanding issues there might be. Alongside this, I also manage a key project and am responsible for keeping all tasks related to it moving through the lab as quickly and smoothly as possible. In addition to managing schedules, I also perform total stress and classification testing within the lab.”

Structural Soils is home to the largest purpose-built contaminated land laboratory in the UK. Known as the red lab, it’s designed to handle all types of asbestos and requires the team to wear protective clothing such as respirators, coveralls and gloves. Jessica said that working in such conditions is challenging but vital, as the protection acts as a barrier between individuals and the hazardous materials they work with.

She explained: “In the red lab, we handle both high-hazard and super high-hazard samples, and only technicians who are specifically trained for this environment are authorised to work with them. Proper training and the use of protective equipment are key to preventing accidental exposure and maintaining a safe working environment.”

In addition to being the only qualified technician able to perform strength shear testing (how a material behaves when subjected to forces that cause it to deform or fail along a specific plane), Jessica is also training an apprentice.

“By balancing my technical responsibilities, I am able to give our apprentice meaningful learning opportunities. I am passionate about career development and prioritise theirs by guiding them and making sure they are fully engaged with their training.”

Reflecting on her time at Structural Soils so far, Jessica said she feels a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude. Determined to improve her skills and knowledge, she wants to progress at RSK and aspires to become a senior geotechnical lab technician.

Jesica’s achievements have required hard work, dedication and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone. In the coming years, she hopes to further develop her skills, take on new challenges and continue making a positive impact within the company.

Jessica said: “I’m thrilled to have just started a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in natural sciences. It’s a major step representing my commitment to furthering my education and deepening my understanding of the scientific principles underpinning my work.

“If you’re passionate about what you do and committed to continuous improvement, you’ll find this career both rewarding and fulfilling.”