What do you love most about your profession? Why did you choose this career?
I love working with people, sharing digital skills, and supporting students' success. I love traveling and meeting people, and experiencing new landscapes and ways of being. This is my dream job where I am able to combine all of my passions!
When did you realize you wanted to work in STEM or Skilled Trades?
As a teacher, a volunteer, and a mother, I realized the power of digital technology and digital skills to connect and inspire people. I chose to pursue teaching as a career and then chose to go on to do my Master's degree in Educational Technology as I believe so strongly in the power of STEM.
Why do we need more women in STEM and Skilled Trades?
Women bring their own unique viewpoints, passions and insights to whatever they do. We need those voices in STEM and in Skilled Trades!
What does your typical workday involve? Can you work remotely? (indoors/outdoors, office/plant, travel time, teamwork/solo work)?
Prior to Covid, I travelled to remote and rural communities in Nunavut and Nunavik to teach digital skills. I would travel with a partner and we often worked in schools, staying for a week at a time in the community and working with teachers and students there. During COVID-19, I have worked from my home office in my new home in Sundridge, Ontario. I met with my team and colleagues virtually, supervised projects and supported my team and taught digital skills virtually to participants across Canada.
Who is your role model? What is it about this person that inspires you?
I love to read and write, so my role models are primarily women writers and thinkers. One of my favourite role models is Emily Carr -- she was determined to follow her passion and her own belief in her art no matter what discouragement she met. I find it so amazing and inspiring that when she thought that selling her own pottery art might help her pursue her to sustain her painting, she went and built her own kiln in her backyard. That's inspiring!
What do you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies/activities?
I love to camp, canoe, hike, and swim in the summer and am eagerly embracing my new opportunity to garden. In the winter, I love to snowshoe and cross-country ski. I write and create media art with mobile technology.
What advice would you give students who might be considering a career like yours? What advice would you have given your younger self?
Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't pursue a career or interest that you have. I was told I wasn't good at art (I'm now a media artist). I really wanted to explore the trades related to the environment but was told I couldn't as I was a girl. I'm now exploring native plants and trees and working to naturalize my property to help protect the natural habitat, the birds, insects, and bees, and the biodiversity that should be here.
English 