Pippa Jeffcock

"I am one of the female pioneers to work as an exploration geologist in remote sites worldwide. I started in an industry that was hostile to women and I needed to be stubborn and hard working and immune to banter (good natured and otherwise). These days being a woman in exploration geology is much more normal and if you work hard and keep up with the most modern tools, you can do well. You need to be good at working alone and regenerating your ideas every time you get results from your latest batch of samples. Thinking on your feet and flexibility is essential. I recommend learning to speak other languages."

"I go out to remote sites, as part of a team and manage geological exploration. I direct sampling programmes and drilling programmes. I plan geochemistry grids and sample collection. With the team, I collate all the information on geological maps and use the data to model the geological deposit I am working on. I decide where and when to drill and when to shut down a barren project. I make the budgets and plans for future exploration projects"

"I did a geology degree and an MSc in Micropalaeontology (for the oil industry, but there was a massive financial crash so I never used it). I got some really badly paid jobs in South America where I learned to speak Spanish and survive in the jungle, both essential skills for a geologist. When there was another financial crash in Mining, I took a job in London working as a mining analyst for exploration projects. Each time the market revives, I have taken jobs worldwide as a geologist, and each time it falls I have worked in the City. I did an MBA (masters in business administration) so that I could do project evaluation. I have been offered jobs as a company director but I have not accepted them because I like to work in the field. Some of my friends now work as directors and make lots of money."

"I now write books more than I work as a geologist (as I am 62). I have written 12 novels and 6 childrens illustrated books. Getting work is now hard because of my age, unfortunately. I have had to deal with misogeny in this career and now with ageism. You need to be tough to be a geologist."

"If I have a job in the field, I start the day with a safety briefing. When that is finished I instruct the different teams on their tasks for the day. I like to visit the drill rigs and look at the most recent boxes of core coming out of the ground. I discuss the progress of the hole with the rig geologist. I will also go down to the core shed and inspect the latest boxes of cut core. It is likely that I will have drill reports to review and sign and I will have to sent a summary to HQ in Australia or United Kingdom or wherever HQ is. I may have a meeting with the other heads of department about issues in camp. I work with the geologists on mapping and planning and often do tasks like making sure drillers have fuel and spare parts or doing disciplinary meetings for naughty people. I do things as simple as visit the kitchens to ask for better sandwiches for the night shift drillers or visit someone who is not well. I talk to HR about shifts, who is leaving and who is arriving and where we can put them for sleeping. It never stops. The hours are 06.30 to about 1900 for 7 days a week with Sunday off every two weeks. I go home for three weeks every eight weeks. It is exhausting but well paid."

"BA (BSC now) Trinity College Dublin in GeologyMSc (Micropolaeontology - dont do this for field work, do a masters in economic geology)MBA (Masters in Businesss Administration)"