Landing a dream job

Tanjit Kaur Minhas has a desire to understand the gaps in our climate governance, help those fleeing climate emergencies and care for our land. That’s why she enrolled in the Master of Climate Change (MCC) program last fall and is now set to graduate alongside a tightly knit cohort of 20 other driven students who have become fast friends.

“The connections I made with my professors, the lifelong friendships I gained along the way, the laughs, the late nights and study sessions are all things I look back at fondly and am grateful for,” she said. “Waterloo has rooted itself deep in my heart as a time filled with happiness, exploration and curiosity.”  

Over the last year, Minhas has learned about a wide range of topics from adaptation to mitigation, physical climate science to resource management and data analytics. The possibilities of where she could take her degree and her career unfolded in front of her, and in the process, she left no opportunity unturned. Choosing to do both an internship alongside a master’s research paper when students typically only do one, Minhas is graduating with much to be proud of.

“A highlight from completing my master’s research paper was that it opened doors to have conversations with policymakers on my topic, which eventually helped me land a dream job! I am now working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a regional fisheries management officer in Vancouver.”

Minhas spearheads fish stock rebuilding plans that are legally required by the Government of Canda for species that are depleted on the Canadian West Coast. Her work is critical for helping ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems and industries.

“Before MCC I had no prior experience in the field. I never would have thought I'd be able to score a job in public service right out of graduate school,” she said. “The connections I made throughout my degree got me to where I am today, and my amazing supervisor, Trevor Swerdfager, was the one who introduced me to this agency and sparked my passion for the role!”

As for what comes next, Minhas aims to continue working on her climate blog, volunteering with different organizations and coaching basketball at her local YMCA. An academic at heart, she’s confident that this won’t be her last time in the classroom.

Minhas and her friends Sama, Gabby, Jenna, Katie, Ceara.

Minhas with Ceara, Katie, Tatum.

Minhas with her basketball intramurals tram.

Minhas and Matt at the Waterloo Town Square climate strike.

Minhas and her global governance class peers with guest speaker Sarah Greene.

As her drive to push for environmental change is ramping up, she looks forward to pausing and returning to campus as well as giving thanks to those who made her experience worthwhile and memorable.

“If I could say I miss everything (about Waterloo), I would,” she said. “But what I’ll miss the most is the library study sessions I had with my friends that were sometimes productive, but always filled with laughs and memories. Oh, and the coffee and danishes from the EV1 Café.”