Kathryn Josten
Staff Geologist
I’ve had a deep desire to understand the natural world and its inner workings for as long as I can remember. As an environmental geologist, I consider myself blessed to not only be learning about the world but how to care for it alongside a great team of individuals.
Hired
- 2023
Location
- Tacoma, WA
Expertise
Practices
Staff geologists like Kathryn spend a lot of their time in the field, and that suits her just fine. Kathryn collects samples, monitors groundwater, investigates sites, and coordinates with contractors and other consultants. Each day and each project are a little bit different, and Kathryn looks forward to tackling new challenges as they come.
“I’m constantly learning new skills and meeting new people,” Kathryn says. “Getting paid to be outside is also definitely a dream come true.”
Geology runs in Kathryn’s family. Her grandfather spent his career working as an engineering geologist at the Bureau of Reclamation, and Kathryn is proud to follow in his footsteps.
“I loved growing up listening to stories about his various adventures—all the places he would see and the crazy projects he participated in,” Kathryn says. “From a young age, I knew I wanted a career that was more than ordinary.”
Kathryn studied geology at Central Washington University, where her undergraduate research focused on grayscale analysis. GeoEngineers visited the CWU campus for a geotechnical drilling program while Kathryn was a student, and she met a staff member who encouraged her to apply after graduation. Intrigued, Kathryn decided to join GeoEngineers in mid-2023.
“GeoEngineers has been awesome about meeting me at my experience level and patiently taking the time to ensure my understanding and comfort on each project,” Kathryn says. “As a fresh graduate, I couldn’t imagine a better environment to safely grow my career in.”
Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys hiking, biking, camping in her Eurovan, and tending to her prolific garden. She and her husband are also active in their parish’s young adult group and love to host regular events in their home.
Awards
- National Association of Geoscience Teachers “Outstanding Teaching Assistant” (2023) – Education
- Central Washington University, Department of Geological Sciences “Outstanding Undergraduate Research” (2023) – Science and Technology
- Pierce College, Puyallup “Outstanding Student, Earth & Space Sciences” (2021) – Science and Technology.
