In this episode of Defining Boundaries, Peta Cox sits down with Rebecca Formanek, a Category A Hydrographic Surveyor and offshore professional, to talk honestly about building a career guided by curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to the ocean.

From growing up on the NSW South Coast to mapping the seafloor on research vessels across Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Pacific, Rebecca shares her unconventional journey into hydrographic surveying. The conversation explores life offshore, the realities of working in high-pressure and remote environments, and the challenges of navigating a non-linear career path in a highly specialised field.

Together, Peta and Rebecca unpack what hydrographic surveyors really do, from multibeam and seafloor mapping to deep-sea and riverine work, while also diving into the human side of the profession. They discuss mental resilience, self-doubt, learning on the job, and the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and staying curious in an industry shaped by rapid technological change.

This episode is an honest and grounded conversation about following what pulls you, backing yourself into unfamiliar spaces, and building a career that doesn’t always follow a straight line.

You can find Rebecca on LinkedIn

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-formanek/⁠