Stream of study: Co-op
Favourite co-op: I got to work out in Saskatchewan, banding, surveying and observing shorebird and waterbird species. I was hired by Environment and Climate Change Canada to work with my supervisors, graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. I had been wanting to work a full-time field job, and this was exactly the position.
Are you involved in any campus clubs?
I have been involved in various campus activities over my 5 years here. I have de-stressed by playing intramural sports every term, such as volleyball, soccer and ultimate frisbee. I've been able to make so many new friends every year by participating in orientation week as a leader. Through attending the Environment Student Society events I've had the opportunity to have fun and get to know so many more people in the Faculty. I got to go camping at a National Park with 16 others through the UW Parks Canada Club. Getting involved has allowed me to get to know so many more people and gain connections that I never would have if I didn't get involved.
Why did you choose to study in the Faculty of Environment at Waterloo?
I chose to study in the Faculty of Environment because of how different it is. There aren't many Faculties that are dedicated to a purpose. Our purpose is to help our planet, and become a better population for it. Everyone in the Faculty of Environment has the same mindset and drive to make the world a better place. Unlike many universities where you get placed in the Faculty of Science or Arts where those around you typically have very different perspectives on life and what they want out of their degree. I truly thought it was amazing that I could be surrounded by so many people with a passion and goal that was so similar to mine.
What do you love most about your program?
My favourite thing about my program is how interdisciplinary it is. Due to the flexibility of the program everyone has a completely different path they take. Some lean more towards ecology and natural science aspect, where others look more at social science lens. The interdisciplinary is the most visible through the professors in the department. They vary from agriculture/food systems to sustainability through photography to wildlife conservation. All very different but all connected in one way or another. The same is said for the students in the program, which is shown when ideas are shared in tutorials, or in group work where everyone brings something completely different to the table. It allows you to gather a breadth of ideas, and truly learn so much more.
What problem would you like to solve?
I would like to solve the connection between humans and wildlife. Looking at how we can balance the survival of both life forms, in harmonious way that doesn't determent either. Humans currently have the upper hand but how can we bring our needs down to a level that won't hurt the others that require the land and resources to survive. I'm currently very interested in birds because they are amazing indicator species for environmental issues.