By Rosheen Tetzlaff, Youth Advisory Board Member (2018-2019)
Ever since I was a kid, I have been interested in science. As I was finishing up high school I knew I wanted to go to university, but I wasn’t sure which program. At the open house for the University of Alberta, I learned about the Environmental and Conservation Sciences program and decided that it seemed like the program for me. Over the five years it took me to complete my degree, I found a group of like minded people who cared about the environment in the same way that I did. We spent a lot of time talking and creating plans to solve all of the world’s problems.
Through the summer I was able to continue building my skills in communication, community engagement and environmental education.
Rosheen Tetzlaff
In the summers, I had several amazing research jobs. I was a research assistant in a Land Reclamation lab where I first discovered my love for wild plants and soils. Then I was able to work for Parks Canada as a summer student. I recorded birds, documented plants, and learned to respect black bears while living in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
During the school year I volunteered. I planned events for my program’s student’s association and raised money for some great causes. It was in my third year, that I stumbled upon the application form for Waterlution’s Youth Advisory Board on my school program’s Facebook group. I applied on a whim and was accepted!
I am so grateful that I found Waterlution. I was able to diversify my science skill set with communication and education skills that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I continue to be connected with Waterlution and will work with them for as long as they’ll have me because I truly believe in the work that we do and the opportunities that they provide to young professionals starting their careers.
Rosheen Tetzlaff
Joining the YAB was one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. I was able to learn how a NGO worked and how it was possible for a group of people to make a difference in the world by working together. I was part of the Great Canoe Journey and was trained on how to work with Indigenous peoples and communicate with youth. After my year long YAB term, I wasn’t ready to stop working with Waterlution. I remained connected with Olivia Allen, the Youth Projects Lead, and together we were able to deliver training workshops in Edmonton, AB to teach leadership skills to high school students in environmental leadership schools.
In April 2020, I graduated from university and was ready to start a job in the environmental consulting field in May. And then, like so many, I lost my job due to Covid-19. I found myself not knowing my next step. Then, Olivia contacted me to notify that there was a summer internship position available with Waterlution. I was so glad that I had remained connected with her and the Waterlution community. Through the summer I was able to continue building my skills in communication, community engagement and environmental education. My internship was due to end in September so I was applying for every position I could throughout the summer. Eventually, I got an interview with a local municipality to do climate change adaptation policy and education work. The interviewers were very impressed with the unique skills that I had developed working with Waterlution and offered me the job!
I am so grateful that I found Waterlution. I was able to diversify my science skill set with communication and education skills that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I continue to be connected with Waterlution and will work with them for as long as they’ll have me because I truly believe in the work that we do and the opportunities that they provide to young professionals starting their careers. If you are looking to gain new skills that will help you to get a job in the future you should apply for the YAB! Applications are open until the end of the day today, Monday August 31st at midnight PST!