Julie's career started from the bottom — literally. She says she chose mining — and exploration specifically — because of her affinity for studying earth systems and deciphering the history of rocks and minerals.
“When I first started on my journey, it seemed exciting to be travelling, meeting people and seeing the different rock formations," she said. "I stayed in exploration because of the technically challenging and meaningful work and because of the talented people I work with in De Beers.”
“Exploration is comparable to a treasure hunt. The satisfaction of a discovery and turning that discovery into a mine that benefits the communities we work in, and the company we work for, is unbelievable.”
Julie couldn't have done it alone. When looking back, she thinks of the many mentors who helped her get to where she is today. There were those that taught her the technical skills, those that taught her persistence, and those who taught her to put the two together — to look at the bigger picture, integrate information, and think strategically.
Surprising as at it may be to some, the biggest barrier Julie had to overcome, when starting her career, was family.
“My family and, in particular, my father, was not happy when I announced I wanted to pursue geology,” she said. In fact, Julie applied for geological engineering because her father was more comfortable with her being in “engineering.” After a couple of field seasons, seeing that she was determined to make this her career and that she enjoyed what she was doing, he became her biggest fan. He always wanted to hear about her field adventures. He was interested to see the minerals and rocks that she had collected — and he even asked her to teach him how to pan for gold.
From these uncertain beginnings, Julie became a pioneer for women in the field: the first of her kind in some of the positions she's held.
“You should have seen the faces of the geologists and contractors when I stepped out of the airplane on a frozen lake in front of the field camp," she said. "I was the first and only woman at that camp that winter."
When asked about how she responds to people's surprise at seeing a woman in her position, Julie's quite candid. “Why should you be surprised? Deal with it. It’s okay to be different." Diversity, Julie believes, is vital. It's one of the things she wishes she had been told when she first started her career in mining.
Beyond their cultures, mining and exploration can be mentally and physically demanding, too — though that's never stood in Julie's way.
“When I first started out, I thought not being as physically strong as a man would be a liability, but I have not found that to be the case," she said. "You just have to do things a little differently — in most cases for the better — or ask for help."
When it comes to balancing work and life, Julie believes it's important to have an understanding with your family that you enjoy your work. There will be times when family comes first and times when your work comes first.
“You have to judge when those appropriate times are and make the most out of those opportunities,” she said.
Julie’s advice for women wanting to join the mining industry? Go for it. “It is an exciting and challenging career. Start as a summer student or as a contractor and get some field experience."
Julie currently holds the position of senior exploration manager for De Beers in Canada. She holds a Bachelors of Applied Sciences – Geological Engineering through the University of Toronto. She is also affiliated to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Professional Engineers of Ontario, and the Geological and Mineralogical Association of Canada.
