From Cleaner to Client Representative
The journey that led me to the offshore world is quite an unusual one, I was a single parent of 3 children and self-employed as a cleaner. I had tried completing my BEng when my youngest was a baby, but I couldn’t raise 3 kids under 6 and work the required 16 hours a week to keep a roof over our heads and study. So, I waited until they were all in secondary school and reapplied. I went back to the University of Portsmouth in 2011 and graduated in 2014 with First-Class Honours BEng (Hons) Engineering Geology and Geotechnics, to this day I have no idea how I did it. My kids came to my graduation, and they proudly whooped and hollered from the balcony as I graced the stage.
From Theory to Practice
After graduating I started working for Ramboll as a Geotechnical Engineer. I loved everything about it, the phase 1 and 2 ground investigations absorbed me, data analysis and ground modelling made total sense to me and consequently the geotechnical design was fun. I was finally doing what I had wanted for 15 years. I was lucky enough to work on global projects including Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Hillerød Hospital, Nigg Harbour, Dover Dock revivals, and my first solo project management and design was of the A31 Magherafelt Bypass. I won an award for green and blue engineering design and invited out to Switzerland and Germany to work with other aspiring engineers.
Much as I absolutely loved my job, I felt that my knowledge was too theoretical, I could analyse data to perfect a design line for the stiffness of London Clay, but I had never seen it, felt it or done the geotechnical testing, I had a knowledge gap that I needed to fill, so I decided I wanted to go and work on site to gain a deeper understanding of my job.
Blending Site and Design
I had been working on site onshore and, again, I loved it, but I did miss the ownership and technical side of design, site work wasn’t as mentally challenging, I like data, I like writing reports, I enjoy research. So, when I was approached by an agency and asked if I’d be interested in going freelance, I jumped at it. I set up a limited company and threw myself in. It was great being able to use both sides of the skills and experience I had developed; the two disciplines gave me a greater depth of understanding and that knowledge gave me confidence.
Over the next few years I worked for some fantastic companies, sometimes in design roles, at other times I was out on site. I thrived on the challenges and diversity. I worked on the HS2 desk studies and solution feature analysis, undertook an abandoned coal mine analysis for the TfW rejuvenation of the Valleys lines and oversaw the ground investigation for Dogger Bank Wind Farm cable route. I had my dream job, or so I thought…
Finding My Place Offshore
In October 2019 I was asked if I would consider working offshore as a Geotechnical Laboratory Assistant, well…..this was a whole new level of exciting for me and there was no way I was going to turn down such a unique experience. A few days later I experienced the delight of the BOSIET dunking at Schiphol Airport and the next day I boarded the Omalius.
I will always remember the first morning I was at sea. There were few words left but a lot of palpitations. I couldn’t believe I had made it through university as a single mum, but now, to be on a boat in the North Sea…. something changed in me. I knew it was exactly where I belonged. I thought I loved my job before, but THIS was the job beyond even my wildest dreams, and I was totally perplexed by the course my life had taken.
Over the following years I worked up to a senior Geotech both on and offshore, I had done all the investigation work for offshore windfarms as a design engineer, so it made complete sense undertaking the offshore ground investigations, and as a design engineer I was ultra conscious of ensuring that the sampling and testing was representative of the material, it’s such an crucial part of accurate design for both cost and environmental benefits, and after years of data analysis and having to weed out poor sampling results I was very well aware what is required for good design.
Working back deck was probably the biggest period of personal growth for me, I enjoyed working with the crew and made friendships that will last a lifetime. More than that, it was so much fun, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in a job. You develop a real sense of family and friendship and the ability to get on with likeminded people to work through difficult conditions/situations, I learnt so much from my first crewmates.
Stepping Up as Client Rep
In 2022 I was travelling out in the states (something I thought I’d never get to do) when I was contacted by one of my regular clients and asked if I’d go to New Jersey as a Client Rep on a nearshore cable route GI. It was a natural progression for me and the culmination of all the skills I’d developed. It was challenging, slightly crazy (we actually had an airboat as the FRV) and a huge success, the same client then asked me to go out on vessels as a rep. Again, it was a lot to pick up and learn, but I’m a sucker for a good challenge, so my night shifts would be spent reading everything, data checking, reporting, then I’d read all the project documentation and every referenced document from that. It wasn’t that much of a leap from managing sites on land, just add water and voila, but during my time as a rep, I realised I needed to up my HSE knowledge to really do my job justice. I was much more responsible for HSE and I was going to make sure that I was capable, knowledgeable even.
Proud
So, here I am in August of 2025, what an adventure I’ve been on. How could I possibly have imagined I’d end up here! I’m currently studying for my Nebosh National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management which I find incredibly interesting, especially when applied to the offshore industry. I have undertaken Life Saving Appliances and LSA Code training ISM, and Designated Person Ashore training. I guess you could say I take my career quite seriously. But to be good at the job I love is all I want, it has taken years to refine the myriad of skills required to be a good Client Rep, I’ve made mistakes and I’ve learnt the hard way on many aspects, and, even though I think I’ve found a good balance, personal growth is a continuous process.
As I write this, my daughter (28) has just got home from travelling in Europe, she’s studying for her BEng Engineering Geology at the University of Portsmouth, and she’s about to start her placement year with Fugro. My youngest son (26) is also at the University of Portsmouth, also studying BEng Engineering Geology – you would never have seen that coming, to be fair neither did I. But yes, both are studying to become Geotechnical Engineers and when they graduate, I will be the one whooping and hollering from the same balcony, as I watch them grace the same stage, with the same lecturers, and I am so excited that they will get to experience this amazing, diverse and adventurous career. I’m glad they’ll get to work with such brilliant crews all over the world and feel that camaraderie of being at sea and seeing the beauty of it. And yes, we are an absolute family of geeks, and no rock pun goes unturned.
Sonia Carley