What are your areas of practice? What is your expertise?
Two areas of practice: (1) Water resource planning and management and (2) Rural community development and support.
Expertise: Developing community-based monitoring programs; Indigenous-led ecological restoration and food sovereignty initiatives; Rural water resource management.
Why did you choose the career in which you are currently?
My career aspirations have evolved through my years as a military spouse. From the desire to be an engineer as a teenager, my life has pivoted towards a career that contributes to water security, biodiversity conservation, and rural community development. Despite these many pivotal moments in my life, the constant motivation in choosing a career was my aspiration to help build a legacy for present and future generations—an opportunity I have been blessed with thanks to Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations (KCFN).
I chose to pursue a career with an Indigenous community as it provides the opportunity for continuous learning, contributes to a range of projects, and allows a blended work environment (i.e., office and field work). Most importantly, it is the personal growth from being immersed within an Indigenous culture and learning from their wealth of knowledge.
What do you do in a typical workday or week?
There is no typical workday or week with KCFN. Some days and weeks will be spent in the field completing a variety of work, such as eelgrass transplants, watershed assessments, sea otter and pinniped surveys, and aquatic and terrestrial habitat restoration. Other days are spent in the office attending meetings, developing project proposals and work plans (the most recent concerning food sovereignty), analyzing data, and/or completing reports.
Describe a challenge encountered in your career and how you resolved it.
The biggest challenge encountered in my career was due to the multiple military relocations. These relocations meant my employment and academic history are unconventional, which can sometimes be a deterrent for consideration by employers. This is when sustaining a positive mental attitude—remaining hopeful and staying motivated—despite job rejection is essential. Job rejection is undoubtedly disappointing, but good things are worth the wait, and with persistence and a positive outlook, your dream job could be just around the corner. I know mine was.
Please share some favourite bonus "perks" and/or experiences from your career.
My favourite experiences from my career have been personal invitations to attend First Nation community events and to share a meal and traditional teachings. To know my contributions towards the sustainability and health of the community are valued and appreciated is priceless.