After earning a bachelor’s degree in geology, Tabitha found geology work hard to come by, but enjoyed the job she found teaching English to K-4 students as a bilingual (Spanish-English) paraprofessional. She taught for a few years, and then returned to college to pursue a master’s degree in geology. At Central Washington University, Tabitha received a fellowship called the Yakima Watershed Activities to Enhance Research in Schools (WATERS), a program that enabled her to combine her love of educational outreach with scientific research.

Tabitha is new to GeoEngineers and is eager to both learn new skills and apply her knowledge to real problems. Her first project will take her to Utah, Wyoming and Montana to perform stream analysis and identify and map geologic hazards such as landslides and erosional features. Future projects will utilize her experience on projects focused on river and stream geomorphology. Tabitha recounts, “I had heard many great things about the company and was very thankful and excited for the opportunity to take a position here. I can tell I am going to enjoy the fast pace, opportunities to conduct field work and project diversity.”

“GeoEngineers has admirable values as a company,” she adds. “I also like that it provides so many services. This is an opportunity for me to be challenged and utilize my multiple skill sets. In my short time here, I feel welcome and appreciate the working environment.”

The many pursuits that fill Tabitha’s free time include hiking, backpacking, camping and yoga. She enjoys wine tasting, cooking and baking for herself and her husband, and traveling to warm climates where she can practice speaking Spanish.