Aaron Roden (BA Geology, 2004)

Since 2005, I have been working for the City of Bellevue as a Erosion Control Geologist (my official title is Clearing and Grading inspector). I LOVE this job. I have so many tasks it is hard to explain, not too much geology any more, but a lot of consulting work in regards to wetland and stream mitigation, habitat restoration, a lot of landslide abatments, construction inspection, and overseeing the work of geotechs who are not doing what they are supposed to. Instead of writing the field reports, I now read them and tell people that they are idiots. So watch out!

After graduating from CWU, I did some world-traveling for a couple of months and then got a job as a Lab Manager/ Staff Geologist for a small Geotechnical Engineering firm in North Seattle called PacRim Geotechnical. I worked there for two years doing a whole range of projects from rock coring and soil explorations to soldier pile installations and density testing. I loved every minute of my job especially the work that I had in the lab. I spent many long hours in that dusty place.

I feel that CWU Geology really launched me into a career that I love - not a lot of people can really say that. I owe a lot of the thanks to Nick Zentner and Steve Lundblad who got me interested in the subject (especially Nick who made me wake up and start taking my education seriously) and of course 'Chaz' Rubin who calmed me down many of times in my search for a job. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I learned so much from my courses which made for a really easy and smooth transition from college student to working geologist.

I married my girlfriend of four years, Mairead, last summer. We live in North Ballard in a small, but charming, one bedroom apartment. Sounds great huh? It is. We are very secluded on a dead end street with our own private yard and an apple tree (the apples are terrible). I still am a weekend warrior when it comes to music, still playing in terrible bands and having way too much to drink at shows. And I finally have the means to buy all the vintage guitars I have always wanted, which makes for an angry wife. I kid because I love.

I would love to hear from any of you, some of you I have seen many times out in the field, and some of you need to start sending me your field reports...you know who you are.