Stream of study: Co-op
Favourite co-op: Working at the Sustainability Office (SO)! Having spent three co-op terms at the SO, I had many leadership opportunities and diverse projects to help make campus more sustainable. From researching the carbon footprint of campus operations, to running waste reduction workshops, to creating the SO podcast and updating our Sustainability Guide, I developed a strong understanding of institutional sustainability.
Are you involved in any campus clubs?
During undergrad, I was involved in the Environment Student Society (President along with various Vice President positions), ENV Orientation, the Society for Ecological Restoration, the ENV Peer Leading community at United College, the WUSA Sustainability Project, GreenHouse, and Mambo Club.
Why did you choose to study in the Faculty of Environment at Waterloo?
Two main reasons. First, the flexibility that the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS) offered. I knew I wanted a career in sustainability, but I didn't know what, exactly, I wanted to do in that space. Leaving high school, all that I really knew about were environmental scientists (and that was not what I wanted to do). I had the opportunity to explore various dimensions of sustainability through my degree and co-ops, then specialize in the realms I began deeply passionate about. Second, the community. ENV is grounded in a sense of community. Rather than be situated in a competitive environment, it felt like everyone (Faculty, students, staff) were there to support one another. After all, we can't tackle wicked problems like climate change without working as a team. I really valued the small classes, countless ways to get involved, and student-oriented mindset of the Faculty.
What do you love most about your program?
Similar to the reasons that brought me to the Faculty, I really valued the breadth of options I could explore, as well as the ability to specialize in so many aspects. I started with a minor in Human Nutrition and ended with a Minor in Geography and Environmental Management, as well as a Diploma in Environmental Assessment. I also loved how our class projects were geared towards our passions, allowing me to gain a rich pool of knowledge about climate change challenges that now fuels my career aspirations and graduate studies. And of course, the relationships I have fostered over the five years in SERS.
What problem would you like to solve?
MANY problems - but my main focus is around the research question: how can we make urban communities more equitable, participatory, and resilient to climate change? This one question covers the ecological, social, cultural, and even economic dimensions of climate change.