Reclamation Student-Canadian Natural Resources Limited
My job as a reclamation student at CNRL is to assess surface soils and plan their removal in areas where the oil sand mine will expand. These soils are kept in constantly monitored stockpiles, as these soils will then be placed in areas of the mine that are inactive to restore the land to a natural, self-sustaining ecosystem. As a result of this role, my day-to-day onsite varies. Some tasks include: conducting soil surveys, timber assessments, and vegetation surveys in the field, monitoring stockpiles, collecting seeds for planting purposes, and doing a reclamation research project at the end of my term.
This job teaches you a lot of skills, such as how to properly traverse rough terrain, how to conduct all manner of surveys, how to analyze data in systems like ArcGIS, and how to work with different departments within the company. Most importantly, it taught me how reclamation and other environmental goals can change based on internal factors within the company and external factors.
Co-op allows me to gain experience in fields that I wouldn’t otherwise get in the classroom, as well as put my classroom knowledge to the test in practical settings. This allows me to gain a deeper understanding of my course material in addition to just a better look at what careers I would like to pursue after my education. Co-op has helped me gain employment through its workshops that help you every step of the hiring process and networking events to connect with people in the industry.