Max Maier
My name is Max Maier and I am currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Geology at UC Santa Cruz.
This summer I will be interning at the Environmental Consulting firm Weber, Hayes and Associates (WHA). I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside consulting professionals, especially since environmental consulting is a field I am interested in pursuing as a future career.
This summer it is my goal to learn as much as possible about what it entails to be an Environmental Geologist, all the while gaining technical experience. I look forward to honing my skills in data analysis, writing reports and using GIS. WHA has me taking a HAZWOPER training course, which will allow me to work with them on slightly toxic field sights. Working in the field has always piqued my interest and I aim to make this a symbiotic relationship with WHA. Overall, I am eager to learn and ready to get in the field!
What have you learned so far in your internship? (week 3 update)
Thus far in my internship with Weber, Hayes and Associates, I have been fully immersed in the functions of an Environmental Consulting Firm. Here I have learned that in the world of consulting one must wear many hats if they are going to be successful. With a plethora of short and long term projects always on deck, there are many pieces that need to be maintained, revised and executed on time. This includes obtaining permits, site assessment, data collection/analysis, writing the report, etc. The people here at Weber-Hayes are truly talented and extremely hard working. My main duty here is to learn the ins and outs of their consulting business and be able to handle anything they throw my way. Some of my tasks include writing sections of reports, creating visual figures with data, data entry/ analysis on excel and collecting samples in the field. I have been developing skills with their GIS software Canvas, field sampling techniques, professional competency and independence with tasks. Not to mention all the regulations and reports I have been devotedly reading.
The reason I fell in love with Earth Sciences is because of the infinitely dynamic nature of Earth’s processes and our surrounding environment. The work environment at Weber-Hayes is a highly dynamic space where nature, science and law convene. Learning this complex relationship is a stimulating experience that is forcing me to adapt to the workspace. Being in a place where you can take what you've learned in school and apply it to contemporary issues in our immediate environment is a challenge I am willing to keep pursuing.
How will attending AGU advance your academic and career goals?
The upcoming AGU conference will be an ideal experience for furthering exposure in a professional setting. At this point in our student career development, exposure is one of the most beneficial experiences because it allows us to see what our world of academia has to offer. I won’t speak for everyone else, but personally I have been exposed to so much in my internship that I had no idea existed before coming here. Going to this conference will be another opportunity to have our minds exposed to the possibilities of our futures. Another benefit of attending the AGU conference is the networking opportunities. This does not necessarily mean getting hired on the spot, however it provides a platform to get to know the companies out there and perhaps get your foot in the door with some of them. The contacts at this conference are there for a reason and are usually looking for the best pick of the new generation of scientists. There is potential for making some invaluable connections in a professional setting as such.