Meet Evelina Almqvist: shaping safe and resilient infrastructure from the ground up
Where fieldwork and engineering insight come together
Sometimes, the most fulfilling career paths begin by chance. For Evelina Almqvist, a role as a field geotechnician started as a side job while studying to become a construction supervisor. Today, she is part of a dynamic geotechnical team in northern Sweden, working on the front lines to ensure the ground we build on is safe, stable, and built to last.
Evelina's journey into geotechnics started unexpectedly, when she took on a field assistant role alongside her studies. What began as a temporary job quickly turned into a career.
"I was studying at the time and needed an extra job. Suddenly, I was sitting in an interview and got hired", Evelina explains.
What made her stay was the combination of hands-on work and technical depth. The role requires both practical skills and the ability to interpret complex soil data, with direct impact on how infrastructure is designed, built, and performs over time.
The reality of life in the field
A typical day for Evelina is far from an office job. Her workplace is outdoors, often in remote and hard-to-access locations.
The day starts early, heading out to the drill rig – often deep in the forest – using snowmobiles, six-wheelers, or tracked vehicles to transport essential equipment. On site, the team sets out drill points and prepares access where needed. When working near roads, they are also responsible for traffic safety and signage to protect both themselves and others.
Drilling continues throughout the day, often into the evening. Afterwards, the team reviews and refines the data to ensure quality and accuracy before it is used in the next phase of the project, where key design decisions are made.
"They are long days, but incredibly varied and rewarding", Evelina notes.
Technical challenges and real-time decisions
Evelina investigates soil properties before construction begins by taking samples and performing soundings. This data forms the basis for safe and cost-efficient construction. The most stimulating part is interpreting underground conditions in real time.
"Being able to read variations in real time and understand the soil's structure is both challenging and highly developing", she says.
Because she is on site, Evelina can provide immediate feedback and adjust testing methods if conditions differ from expectations. This improves data accuracy and strengthens the safety of the final design. For example, in wind farm projects, her team assesses bedrock conditions.
"The bedrock quality determines if we need a cast foundation or if we can anchor the turbines directly into the rock. It is cheaper to anchor into the rock, and we are the ones who provide that answer", Evelina explains.
Reliable early data helps optimize design, reduce costs, and ensure long-term structural safety.
A culture of teamwork and resilience
Working in tough conditions requires strong teamwork. For Evelina, the sense of trust and community is one of the best parts of the job.
"In the field, we are highly dependent on each other, and everyone needs to contribute for the work to flow safely and efficiently", she says.
Whether coordinating across a site or handling equipment issues, the team supports each other. Evelina recalls a winter when her drill rig broke down in freezing temperatures.
"Two of my colleagues came out and helped me fix it. It was not an easy job, but we solved it together and could keep drilling", she remembers.
Building for the future
Since starting her career, Evelina has grown into a more responsible, decision-making role, with a clear understanding of how her work impacts design and project outcomes. For anyone considering the role, she has a clear message:
"It is a profession for those who want variety, want to work practically, and at the same time be an important part of building society", she says. "You get to work in different environments, solve problems every day, and be part of a strong team. Plus, it is a special feeling knowing that what you do in the field is the foundation for safe structures for many years to come".
