Passion for Data Science and Solving Intricate Problems

Q: Why do you like working at SRK?

My area of expertise is related to hydraulics, hydrology, and climate change, and I have dedicated more time to climate change in the last seven years. I like working at SRK because it allows me to be myself and pursue my interests. I love working in data science, and SRK provides the environment for me to focus entirely in that space, creating a symbiotic relationship. Additionally, I enjoy solving puzzles and the positive feedback I receive from colleagues when I solve complex problems.

I appreciate the energy and the opportunity to carve out my own market niche within the company. I often receive challenging projects from various business units, which allows me to engage in in-depth discussions about hydrology and climate change. Tackling complicated, out-of-the-box problems is something I genuinely love, and it brings me a lot of fun and satisfaction."

Q: What is a typical workday like at SRK?

My day starts with calls from SRK UK to discuss projects, reviews, and other interactions since I used to be based there but now am in SRK Vancouver. I might also catch up with colleagues from SRK South Africa on various ongoing projects. Typically, my mornings consist of meetings and a bit of management work, where I communicate with different teams to stay updated on project progress and help guide junior engineers and interns."

By mid-morning or early afternoon, I shift to my own tasks, focusing on data science projects, coding, and problem-solving. I dedicate a significant portion of my day to understanding complex issues and reporting my findings. This structured approach allows me to balance project management responsibilities with hands-on technical work, making my workday both productive and engaging.

Q: What is your specialization and what excites you about it?

I specialize in civil engineering with nearly twenty years of experience, focusing on surface water hydrology and climate change. Over time, I have become more involved in data science, which is crucial for efficiently managing large datasets related to climate change. My work often involves understanding and analyzing data from various sources, particularly meteorological data, to make informed decisions.

What excites me most about my specialization is solving puzzles, especially those related to understanding complex environmental parameters and their impacts. I enjoy teaching others about these topics and helping them make sense of the data. The challenge of identifying problems, exploring why they occur, and determining who is affected by climate change drives my passion for the field. Understanding these multifaceted issues requires comprehensive thinking and offers endless opportunities for problem-solving."