Environmental Co-op Student – Elk Valley Resources
I have been lucky enough to spend the last four months working as an Environmental Science Co-op Student at Elk Valley Resources, a coal mining company based out of the Elk Valley in Eastern BC. My main project has been helping set up research trials in collaboration with the University of Alberta to help improve reclamation results on an operational scale. Although this project will not kick off in the field until the snow melts at the trial sites during my next work term, I have spent the majority of my time with helping set up the logistics of the project.
A typical workday for me includes creating supporting documentation, making maps on GIS software, and organizing data. Additionally, I work with the water team whenever they need an extra hand by conducting water sampling- to ensure that water quality at and around the mine sites are within regulatory boundaries.
My favorite part of my co-op experience is definitely the connections I have made. My peers encourage me to pursue work that I find interesting and are always willing to answer all of my questions. Since the company is so large, I have been able to try out work from a variety of fields and to see what environment I work best in. I know that these relationships I have made within the last four months will aid in my career growth beyond this work term.