New co-op program for biology students

By Kelly Foss | Nov. 24, 2014

April HallA small group of biology students recently began a course that may ultimately change their career path.

Jaime Wilson, Jessica Hackett, Phillip Hillier and April Hall are the first participants of a new biology co-operative education program at Memorial.

Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, an associate professor with the department, is one of the co-ordinators. She helped choose the third-year students who made up the first cohort and watched as they went on their work terms this summer.

“From our perspective, it was very successful,” she said. “We weren’t sure what kinds of jobs would emerge, since we haven't had a co-op program before, but we were very fortunate.

“All four came back saying that their job that was interesting and in at least two cases I heard them say it has made them rethink their career choice, or at least expanded their world view, which is really one of the main goals of co-op.”

She has seen that change in thinking reflected in their course selections this year.

“I was really pleased to see all four students had grown and learned a lot, both professionally and academically. It certainly opened their eyes to what biology is and what you can do with a biology degree. But what was also interesting for me was to see some of them take courses this year they wouldn't have otherwise.”

St. John’s native Jamie Wilson usually works three jobs while going to school full-time, so the 16 weeks she spent with the provincial Department of Environment and Conservation was a welcome change from her normally hectic routine.

Her job in the Environmental Assessment division gave her a chance to see first-hand the effects of projects currently underway in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I got to do a mix of things,” said Ms. Wilson. “I went to Corner Brook to see construction on the Labrador-Island transmission link for Muskrat Falls and I went to the site of a new walking trail under development to see the impact it was having on an endangered plant. I was all over the place and got a taste of everything.”

She’s also looking for variety in her work term experiences, and hopes for her next job to take her from the field to the research lab.

April Hall of Piccadilly spent the summer as a marine education interpreter at the Bonne Bay Marine Station, guiding visitors around the station and participating in boat tours of the area.

“Before this summer I wasn’t thinking about marine studies at all; I wanted to be an optometrist. But this job opportunity came up and I actually loved it,” she said. “Marine biology is really interesting and I plan on taking a lot more marine-based courses now and all of the courses they offer at Bonne Bay.

“I’m still thinking about optometry, but I will see where my next work term takes me. I want to keep my options open as much as I can.”

Julie Downey is an academic staff member with the Division of Co-Operative Education.

She has an undergraduate degree in biology at Memorial, so when the department went looking to the division for assistance in setting up the program, she was the obvious choice.

She says Ms. Hall’s experience is a common one.

“So many of these students are, as far as they’re concerned, medical school bound. Co-op programs are a great way to encourage them to get out and explore the field of biology with open minds.

“What’s nice to see is that each one of them had an "a-ha" moment, where they realized, ‘Wow, I hadn’t thought about it before, but there could be something else out there that might meet my career goals or be a good fit for me.’”

Ms. Downey worked with the students to provide them with the professional training given to all co-op participants, including interviewing and resumé writing skills, how to apply themselves on the job, ethics and more.

She also met with the students and employers mid-way through the summer to gather information and give feedback.

“It’s a three-way partnership between the student, the university and the employer,” she said. “Everyone has to be happy with the process at the end of the day."


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