Testing the Waters of an Environmental Career (Video)

While other kids played video games or built Lego models, Tamiah spent her childhood examining acorns, sticks and other discoveries in the forest behind her grandmother’s house. At 10, a trip to Western Canada deepened her curiosity about the environment. But what transformed that curiosity into purpose was seeing her own family’s experience during hurricane season in Grenada, and learning how climate change can intensify these storms.

In high school, despite her desire to fight the climate crisis, Tamiah felt uncertain about her future and struggled with her grades. She kept returning to a quote she once heard: if you find a job connected to something you’re passionate about, you’ll never feel like you’re working. The environment immediately came to mind, but the only path she knew seemed to require a university degree.

Still, Tamiah wasn’t ready to give up on turning her passion into a career. After a gap year, she began to research her options. That’s when she discovered Mohawk College’s Environmental Technician program. Once she realized there was more than one route into the field, she took an enterprising leap forward.

“My experience at Mohawk College has helped me better understand and strengthen my passion for the environment,” she says. “I really appreciate how Mohawk focuses on preparing students for the workplace, and having a co-op opportunity is such a bonus.” 

Read the full story on the Mohawk College blog. 

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