From Botany to the Bus – Bridget Watkin

When Bridget Watkins graduated from Santa Maria College in 2004, she didn’t have a five-year plan, let alone a crystal-clear dream job. But what she did have was curiosity, a love of biology, and a willingness to try new things and those attributes have taken her on quite the adventure.

A Career Rooted in Nature

Bridget’s journey began with a degree in Environmental Biology at Curtin University. She trained as a botanist and spent several years in environmental consulting, travelling across Western Australia, often with helicopter support, conducting field surveys. “That part of the job was definitely a highlight,” she says.

In 2017, she made a bold move, stepping away from her career to spend six months mustering cattle on a station in the Kimberley. “It was something I’d always wanted to do,” she explains. That experience reignited her love of the land and prompted a return to Perth with a new perspective.

Bridget soon found herself at Rio Tinto, working in the Rehabilitation and Closure team before moving into Biological Assessments and Government Approvals. While she valued the professional growth and the people she met there, her heart was still in the agricultural industry.

Cultivating Knowledge and Community

In 2022, Bridget joined CSBP Fertilisers in the field research team, followed by her current role at SoilsWest at Murdoch University. As a Regional Soil Coordinator, no two days are the same.

“One day I might be summarising research on soil constraints, the next I’m attending field walks or meeting with natural resource groups planning local workshops,” she explains. “The job is really about helping the WA Ag industry access the best information for soil management.”

Lessons from the Journey

It’s not the title or industry that matters most to Bridget, it’s the variety, the people, and the purpose. “I’ve had the chance to work with some great people, and the diversity of roles has kept it interesting.”

Looking back, Bridget credits her love of biology at school as the spark for her university pathway, even if it wasn’t fully planned. Her advice to students? “Don’t stress out too much about your exams or specific results. Yes, work hard, but enjoy things along the way too and it all tends to work out.”

Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Bridget enjoys spending time with friends and family (especially her nieces and nephew). She loves watching sport, fishing in Exmouth, and escaping the city for camping or hiking, even if her knees occasionally protest.

And in true environmentalist fashion, she’s been transforming her garden into a native haven, one plant at a time.

Celebrating Diverse Pathways

Bridget’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always linear. It’s okay to try different paths, take a break, follow your instincts, and adapt as you go. It’s that resilience and curiosity that have helped her create a life and career she truly values.

Thank you for sharing your story with us Bridget!

  • AlumniSpotlight, BiologyCareers, BridgetWatkins, CareerPathways, DiverseCareerJourneys, Featured, SantaMariaCollegeAlumni, SoilScienceWA, WAAgricultureIndustry, WomeninSTEM

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation.  Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world.  Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD.  We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.

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