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I was fortunate to complete a placement working with the Climate Policy Hub at Indigenous Services Canada. The experiential learning I was afforded through my placement was a perfect complement to my learning and growth in the IESS program at Trent. Through my experience I was able to look at environmental issues from a governmental perspective, and honed skills that will serve me well as I look towards future professional and academic pursuits. This opportunity was very valuable to me in terms of translating learned knowledge to a real-world environment, and I would encourage a placement for anyone looking to do the same. - Angus McBride, 2024
City of Peterborough
I enrolled in the Placement Course with the intention of developing my interpersonal and technical skills. After completing a few courses involving geographical information systems, I was keen to develop these skills in a workplace environment. I was connected with the Geomatics/Mapping Section in the City of Peterborough. After completing my placement, I had the opportunity to continue with them in the summer as a paid GIS Summer Student. During my time at the city I cultivated my technical skills including creating and maintaining databases and gained familiarity with various software (i.e., ESRI and Microsoft Suites), and creating print maps for the organization. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to harness my interpersonal skills through constant collaboration with my incredible section members and throughout the City of Peterborough. This was a pivotal experience in my academic and professional career, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity.
Peel District School Board - City of Mississauga
My placement was fantastic! My course project was to create a school naturalization proposal and presentation for the Peel District School Board alongside legal and reality services. This project taught me a ton on professional practice, formalities, and procedures in a workplace environment. During the course, my instructors were incredibly helpful and supportive, as they helped assist with any questions about assignments or updates. Overall, this project was something that helped me progress as a student and employee.
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC)
I had the opportunity to do a placement course at the OTCC. Their mission is to protect and conserve Ontario’s native turtle species. The centre takes in injured turtles, treats them, gives them time to rehabilitate, and then they are released to the area from where they were taken. The centre will also x-ray every mature female turtle that comes to the centre. If they have eggs they are induced and the eggs are incubated; once they hatch and are ready they are released to the area where the mother was found. I got to work with the education ambassador turtles, which are turtles that are not allowed to be released for certain reasons and live in the centre. I have always loved reptiles, so getting to work with them hands-on was a dream come true. One of my favourite parts was feeding the turtles because you were able to see their personalities and just watching them eat up close was something I had never seen before. While working at the centre was amazing, it was difficult to see some of the injured turtles since the injuries can be very severe. However, seeing the work being done and how much everyone who works there cares for the turtles made it a lot easier. I admire the passion of everyone who works there and since they are all so kind, it is clear the turtles are in the best care possible. - Kate Brown, 2022
Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA)
While working with ORCA I participated in a variety of field and office activities with various members of the ORCA staff from a variety of departments within their organization. My primary goals while completing my placement were to develop my skills and abilities further and to gain greater exposure to the ins and outs of a conservation authority. During my time with ORCA, I took part in a variety of projects including tree plantings, water quality monitoring, educational programming with children and youth, planning and permitting, enforcement and more. As a transfer student from Fleming College’s Ecosystem Management program, I was well prepared for the placement experience. I gained many valuable field skills which, when partnered with my theoretical knowledge obtained at Trent, made me a valuable asset to my host organization. I have found that having a practical college background has been of great benefit for me throughout my studies at Trent and especially when completing field and lab work. Learning at a variety of institutions and employing experiential learning throughout my education has given me confidence as I complete my education and prepare to enter the workforce. - Noah Opper, 2023
If you are
lacking fieldwork or want a placement that gets you outside of the classroom and interacting with community members, then I highly recommend working with ORCA. A lot of my work included environmental stewardship, environmental education and community engagement with a large variety of community members from the city of Peterborough and surrounding municipalities and various age groups. Everyday was different, including working outside and doing fieldwork. I gained critical skills working alongside the Watershed Biologist to understand watershed management and watershed health monitoring. I learned how to sample water for a provincial government initiative through the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and learned to use various instruments such as a YSI probe. I managed various groups to educate them in environmental conservation and how to correctly plant native trees and shrubs. If you want to take the environmental skills you have from your studies and apply them in a work setting with great people, I highly recommend doing a placement with ORCA! - Lindsay Fisher, 2022
Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA)
I had the opportunity to intern with the FGCA, a nonprofit organization whose primary focus is ensuring that genetic diversity is recognized and protected as the foundation of a resilient forested landscape. I knew I wanted a career related to forestry and beginning with advocacy for the importance of forest genetics seemed like the perfect way to really understand the basis of our Canadian forests and the conservation of certain species. One of the most rewarding parts of my work was being able to fine-tune my outreach presentation to the public about the importance of forest genetics and proper seed collection. A large part of my time was spent working on and delivering their Certified Seed Collector Workshop, and speaking with like-minded people about species diversity to help ensure the supply and use of high-quality, locally adapted woody plant seeds to new certified seed collectors. I also had the chance to assist with their Butternut Recovery Program by traveling to their Butternut orchards all across Ontario, providing maintenance to ensure the success of the overall health and growth of this important tree species. Not only had this internship exposed me to the interaction between public outreach and education of species diversity, but it has also taught me the toughness, hard work, and passion needed to help the environment. I am incredibly grateful that the FGCA has made me part of their team. - Kaylen Foley, 2022
