Luke Ducey

Geotechnology, Inc.

Where you grew up

Small 3,000 person town of Tolono, IL ~ 15 minutes south of Champaign, IL

Where you went to school or did technical training

Holy Cross Elementary, The High School of St. Thomas More, and Saint Louis University.

Personal hobbies

Hanging out with my two French Bulldogs, Nola and Chiclet, playing Settlers of Catan, trying new beers, running 5Ks and half marathons, playing softball (3 nights a week), DIY woodworking projects, and traveling!

What do you do in your profession?

That’s a great question because every day is different and that’s what makes work fun. As a geologist, I spend a lot of time behind the drill rig logging rock and soil as well as testing the samples in the soils lab. I also assist with deep foundation inspections and, quarterly groundwater sampling events for landfills/ash ponds. One of my favorite responsibilities is operating our one-of-a-kind CPT rig which has taken me to 12 different states over the past few years. I assist our drilling department when they need a hand, manifesting soil, underground storage tank pulls, Phase I’s and many more tasks. Recently, I have been learning more geophysics practices and recently had to complete a bat survey study!

What are your dream career and dream tasks to work on?

I have always wanted to work in and for a quarry doing underground mining. I have worked in a lot of mines and got a little taste of that dream job. One of my personal dream tasks has actually already happened: working on some high-profile jobs within the St. Louis Area including the drilling and observation for the St. Louis Arch Grounds, The Muny Stage renovations, and out at the Lambert airport!

Advice for someone who wants to do the same job or career as you.

When you’re in college, make sure to find related internships during the summer or the last couple years of school. This will help you get a job and make your resume stand out when you start applying for jobs. I also really wish I would have taken a water or hydrology class in college. Also, I would say to be open to new experiences. I never saw myself doing exactly what I do today and a lot of my responsibilities seemed impossible at first, but if you stick with it and are open to being curious and learning, you will be set up for success.

If you were to go back and give advice to yourself at age 16, what would it be?

Enjoy being 16! This is the only time in your life you have very few responsibilities and can explore everything. Get out there and make friends, try new things, and soak it all up. I would also say to spend more time with your parents and grandparents and cut them some slack, they are doing their best!

Any other comments or information that you would like to include.

When picking a career or job make sure it is something you love and has some variety otherwise you will get burnt out on it very quickly and struggle to enjoy every day. If you are able to look at work as something you GET to do every day and not HAVE to do, it will never feel like work.