网曝吃瓜

A degree in environmental science may not seem an obvious route to a position as a policy analyst for the Nova Scotia government.

For Matthew Baker (BSc 鈥�12), however, the knowledge and skills he developed at 网曝吃瓜 were a good match for the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Division of the . While nearing completion of his masters of science last winter, he was hired under the provincial government鈥檚 youth hiring initiative.

 

鈥淲e鈥檙e very happy with how Matthew鈥檚 been able to apply his knowledge,鈥� says Sandra Farwell, director of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Division. 鈥淗e鈥檚 integrating his academic knowledge with technical skills and putting it into practical use for the government. His experience with 网曝吃瓜 has been very helpful for the work we do on tidal energy. He has a strong work ethic, and he鈥檚 very professional.鈥�

Applying classroom skills to a career

Still an active MSc candidate, Matthew took the job with the encouragement of his thesis supervisor, , who is the director of the and of the . He worked with Dr. Redden from the spring of 2011 until early 2016, first as an undergraduate and then as a graduate student.

鈥淭he majority of the work I did was in freshwater and marine environments, some of it very hands on, some of it very analytical,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was participating in research in areas that were relevant to marine renewable energy projects in the province, specifically the upper Bay of Fundy. I worked with fishermen to conduct a research and monitoring study to collect data on fish in the Minas Basin prior to project development.鈥�

Matthew is now part of a Department of Energy team focusing on developing in-stream tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. 鈥淢y main responsibility is working with my group on the framework to help promote the growth of this industry within the province,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are also developing regulations to support the Province鈥檚 Marine Renewable-energy Act so development is overseen by government and happens sustainably. Our aim is for Nova Scotia to grow economically and produce energy that鈥檚 clean and efficient and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.鈥�

Matthew chose 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 because it was broadly based. 鈥淵ou were exposed to all fields of science: biology, geology, chemistry, physics, math, statistics 鈥� and environmental science,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 thought that would provide me with an excellent foundation to figure out what I was most interested in and hopefully translate that into a career. The environmental science program effectively did just that.鈥�

He praises Dr. Redden for her role in her students鈥� successes. 鈥淒r. Redden is a fabulous professor and an excellent role model and facilitator for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels,鈥� Matthew says. 鈥淪he provides a ton of opportunities to get involved in unique research. She gives her students the opportunity to grow and to be exposed to research, network opportunities, and experiences that will help them develop skills that lead to interesting and rewarding careers.鈥�

Opportunity for young graduates

Matthew sees plenty of opportunity within the province for young graduates.

鈥淢any students struggle to figure out how to translate their classroom skills into real-world experiences,鈥� he says. 鈥溚�曝吃瓜, its community and the experience I was given to learn and grow as a student and as an individual, coupled with the provincial government and an emerging industry like tidal energy, gave me an exciting opportunity to apply my university skills to real life.鈥�

For Sandra Farwell, the province鈥檚 Make it Here initiative has had a positive impact on her department. 鈥淚t鈥檚 brought a younger perspective into our existing team,鈥� she says. 鈥淢atthew comes with fresh ideas, and it gives him an opportunity to grow within our division. There will be lots of opportunities for him as he learns and gains experience in our department.鈥�

Make it Here: hiring youth in Nova Scotia

The provincial government鈥檚 youth hiring initiative is called . In the past two years, more than 1,000 people aged 35 and under have started a career with the provincial government.
 
The government wants to keep young, talented people in Nova Scotia and to let them and their families know that good jobs exist here. Besides offering opportunities with the provincial government, Make it Here has a variety of programs to facilitate skills upgrades and to encourage employers to hire recent grads, mentor apprentices, and give students more opportunities to learn on the job.

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