Entering her undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo, Stephanie Goertz had no idea how a Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) minor would fit into her career or life. Looking back, she reflects that her PACS education is not something she can fit in a box or summarize easily but contributed to an overall perspective. This perspective and mindset have impacted her ongoing learning and how she can connect with others to make a change in her community.
Steph received a degree in Anthropology with a Peace and Conflict Studies minor. Since graduating she has collected several careers and become an activist in her community. In 2019, she stepped into politics by running in the federal elections for the green party and now in 2022 is running for municipal council. The last several years of engaging with grassroots groups and not-for-profits, such as 50by30WR, Food System Round Table of Waterloo, Nith Valley EcoBoosters, Let’s Tree Wilmot, and Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis, have taught her the interconnectivity between all levels of government.
Reflecting on her degree Steph says “truth comes when you enter the university and start taking all of these courses, figure out what is out there, and start finding the direction of who you want to be”. Part of the journey for Steph was running the UW DECA Chapter. As she continued her degree, PACS stood out as courses she thrived in; “as I started taking more PACS courses, I realized the benefit of them."
When asked how PACS has impacted her career and life, Steph replied:
"PACS is fundamental to how I engage in the world."
A perfect example of this is how she pulled together efforts to support Ukrainians fleeing to Canada engaging with hundreds of diverse volunteers who don’t normally get involved in their community by volunteering. Typically, what she has seen is the same dozen people volunteering in numerous groups but with these new efforts, it was amazing how many people came out to help. Steph reflects on her experiences being able to collaborate and engage people to help Ukraine: “[there was a] huge empowerment of so many people. It was so exciting, the door had never been opened for them before." Part of what the PACS program and ongoing learning in Peace and Conflict fields did for Steph was altering the way she viewed conflict and interactions overall, and this has impacted how she has been able to connect with people and make change happen.
Her involvement in municipal politics seemed to have happened the same way a lot of things happened for Steph: She sees an issue and steps up to do something, making a change in the process. Reflecting on her involvement in politics, which first took place in 2019, she recognizes the importance of her values reflecting once again in her Green Party’s focus has of working across party lines for the greater good echoes patterns of bringing people together for a cause in the same way the grassroots organization for Ukraine did.
"If I hadn’t had this degree in the first place, there’s no way I would be working with the people or projects I have been working with."
When asked what advice she had for future students, Steph paused and considered. She talks about the difference in spaces that people will encounter after graduating. While PACS can seem like a very specific major she encourages students to not get caught up in specific fields they immediately associate with PACS, but instead to:
"Get involved but be aware your goals and direction will shift and change as you gain experience."
These words echo her path and experience in life with involvement in numerous different endeavors. She goes on to say that people will not always believe in you or what you are doing but you need to be confident in who you are.
"If you are going to address root issues and problems you sometimes need to stand in uncomfortable spaces."
Here she pauses and concludes her thought; “have faith” and elaborates “you will find people who agree, and you will find people who don’t”, but to Steph, this all seems to be part of the journey.