Nicole Pysh came to Lakeland College looking for an education that would help her find future employment in the environmental sciences industry, and what she found exceeded all her expectations.

“I chose Lakeland because it was right in our backyard,” explained Pysh, who is from Edmonton. “It offered a unique experience with so many field exercises and that really drew me to it. There were multiple opportunities for field trips to rural and urban areas, as well as interactions with industry. That really helped us better understand the work of environmental professionals and understand the career paths available to us.”

The Lakeland alumna graduated with an environmental science diploma with a major in environmental protection technology, which is now the water conservation management stream. She completed a practicum with the Government of Alberta to complete her bachelor of applied science: environmental management.

“It's the practicum placement that gives you a foot in the door,” she says. “A lot of other graduates don't have the work experience that employers are looking for. That, along with the field work component, is essential to the success of the program. It's critical to being employable.”

After completing her practicum with the Government of Alberta, Pysh was hired by the ministry, where she worked for four years before deciding to pursue a masters of science degree in environmental management at Royal Roads University in 2011.

“I had no issues being accepted into the program because of the transfer agreement in place,” Pysh explains. “That, combined with the fact that I could complete my masters degree while continuing to work full time, made it an option for me.”

Since then, Pysh has continued her employment with the Government of Alberta, working as an environmental protection officer, directly in the field dealing with environmental incidents and emergencies. For the last two years, she has been a division coordination advisor for the operations division of Alberta Environment and Parks. It's an advisory role, advising management on regulatory affairs, supporting operational planning, as well as being involved in communications and training.

Her experience at Lakeland was such a positive one, Pysh has stayed involved with the college as a member of the environmental sciences diploma program's advisory committee.

“I just had such a good experience at Lakeland,” she says. “The hands-on field trips, the quality of education I received, the professors who were invested in my success and all the friends I made. It exceeded my academic expectations. When I had the opportunity to join the advisory committee, I didn't hesitate.”

Photo: Nicole Pysh, Lakeland College environmental sciences alumna, smiles from a helicopter.