In the field is where Ahmad Zarei, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics, feels most at home. The dynamic environments of fieldwork and project management are where he thrives, and his passion for problem-solving, especially in rock mechanics, has driven a career that has spanned the globe. In this article, Ahmad shares his experiences across academia and his profession. It’s a rich mix of travel, industry-leading research and expert project management spanning mines, dams, quarries, highways, shopping malls and more, often set against challenging backdrops, including economic constraints, geopolitical unrest and a global health crisis.