Featured Student: Eric Fang

What is your field of study and when will you graduate?

I’m in Environmental Science, focusing on Water, Land and Air systems. My expected graduation date is in 2026.

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op? 

I enrolled in Co-op, because I wanted practical, hands-on experience in environmental consulting. 

It seemed like a great way to apply what I was learning in school to real-world projects and to better prepare myself for my future career.

Which positions did you work during Co-op?

I worked in environmental consulting with both private and public sector experience. At BGIS, I was placed as a Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Intern, then at Transport Canada, as an Environmental Advisor Co-op Student.

My projects included environmental assessments, halocarbon inventories, sustainability consulting and GIS analysis and reporting.

Can you share any more about your day to day as a Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Intern at BGIS? What did a typical day look like or are there any projects that you enjoyed working on? What do environmental processes for real estate look like?

My day to day work as a Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Intern at BGIS was always changing. Most of the time, I was working on reviewing and updating species impact assessments. 

During this task, I would look at what kind of birds, bats or other wildlife were living in or around certain properties. This was definitely my favourite part of the role, because I had the chance to visit some of the sites and sometimes, if I was lucky, see the animals in person. 

As for environmental processes in real estate, to be honest I'm not 100% sure what that looks like overall, because I was not too deep into that side of things. My work mainly focused on wildlife assessments, so I only saw a small part of the bigger picture. But, from what I could tell, environmental factors are considered when it comes to how properties are managed, especially around compliance and protecting sensitive areas.

What was being an Environmental Advisor with Transport Canada like? How did you contribute to the Environmental Services team?

Being an Environmental Advisor with Transport Canada was a great learning experience, where I supported the Environmental Services team on a variety of tasks related to federal transportation properties. 

I worked on updating hydrocarbon inventories, monitored airport water quality to make sure bacteria levels stayed within safe limits and helped create and update a new onboarding site to support incoming interns.

What is sustainability consulting?

Sustainability consulting is about making practical changes that reduce their environmental impact and promote long-term, responsible practices.

Sustainability consulting is about making practical changes that reduce their environmental impact and promote long-term, responsible practices. 

For instance, at BGIS, I worked on making the trash sort system better in one of our buildings. We put in more trash types, adding bins for batteries and soft plastics to help people separate their trash more efficiently. The aim was to cut down on improperly recycled items and increase how much we recycle. Even though it was a small shift, it brought a clear change in how trash was handled.

Can you walk me through an example of an environmental assessment for a public infrastructure project? That sounds super interesting!

I got to work with some really cool old buildings at my job, which made it even more fun. 

A big part of my job was reviewing places I had never seen before and that gave me a real sense of discovery. It was really satisfying to look into a site’s history, like finding old contamination records or learning how waste and water had been managed, and then seeing how it has been improved. Each location had its own story, and that’s what made the job both fun and rewarding.

What I liked most was how every project felt different. One day I might be looking into what kinds of oils or fuels a site had, the next I’d be checking how clean the airport water was or figuring out how to improve trash sorting in a building. I was always learning something new and working on different types of tasks. 

A big part of my job was reviewing places I had never seen before and that gave me a real sense of discovery. It was really satisfying to look into a site’s history, like finding old contamination records or learning how waste and water had been managed, and then seeing how it has been improved. Each location had its own story, and that’s what made the job both fun and rewarding.

What is a species impact assessment? Can you tell me about one that you conducted? How did this influence conservation efforts and regulatory decisions?

In my role as a Health, Safety, and Environment Intern at BGIS, I worked on reviewing and updating species impact assessments for federal properties. 

One project that I was involved with looked at a site that was undergoing planned maintenance and infrastructure updates. My job was to review existing reports and compile the information into an updated assessment that summarized which species had previously been observed in the area, particularly any birds or bats listed under the Species at Risk Act. 

I also reviewed species seasonal activity periods and past survey data to determine if any timing restrictions or mitigation measures were needed. The information that I gathered helped inform project planning and scheduling, ensuring that maintenance activities didn’t interfere with critical nesting or migration periods. While I wasn’t making final decisions, my work supported compliance with environmental regulations and contributed to the project's alignment with conservation best practices.

Can you share your favourite experience while in Co-op? 

My favourite experience was working on an environmental impact assessment for a public infrastructure project. It felt rewarding to see my work directly influence regulatory decisions and contribute positively to community sustainability.

What was your best achievement in Co-op? 

My biggest achievement was completing a species impact assessment. 

I collaborated with clients from both the private and public sectors and it was exciting to see my findings directly influence conservation efforts and regulatory decisions.

What did you feel most challenged by and how did you overcome it? 

The toughest challenge was managing a good balance between work and my personal life. Dealing with multiple deadlines and responsibilities required me to prioritize tasks, set realistic expectations and make sure to set aside time for myself.

Having time to myself was the biggest reason I was able to avoid burnout. 

Even small things like stepping out for a short walk during a break or grabbing a quick coffee made a big difference. Those little moments helped me reset and just breathe.

You mention setting aside time for yourself while managing academic and Co-op responsibilities — what is your self care practice or routine? How did you manage stress?

Having time to myself was the biggest reason I was able to avoid burnout. 

Even small things like stepping out for a short walk during a break or grabbing a quick coffee made a big difference. Those little moments helped me reset and just breathe. 

Co-op took up most of my day, but the structure of it actually gave me more free time in a lot of ways. Once the workday ended around three or four, I had the rest of the day to myself. Unlike school, I didn’t have homework or exams to worry about in the evenings, which made it easier to relax, recharge and do things I enjoy without feeling guilty about it. I was able to pursue hobbies I always wanted to try, like guitar and pottery. That balance really helped me manage stress and stay grounded. 

If you’re planning to do a Co-op, don’t take that free time for granted — take advantage of it and try the things you’ve always been curious about!

How do you feel Co-op helped your personal growth? 

Co-op really helped me grow personally by giving me a taste of adult life. I learned how to manage work responsibilities, communicate effectively with colleagues and make important decisions independently. It boosted my confidence and showed me how to balance different responsibilities.

How do you feel Co-op has helped your career?

Co-op helped me build a strong professional network in environmental consulting, which I know will be valuable for my career. 

I gained important skills through real-world projects, making me feel much more prepared for future job opportunities.

Which supports from the Co-op program (workshops, practice interviews, etc.) do you feel best supported you? Can you talk about the direct impact on your career? 

The resume workshops and practice interviews were super helpful. They gave me confidence in presenting my skills and experiences clearly to employers, directly helping me secure my Co-op positions and making me feel more competitive overall.

What advice would you offer to future Co-op students? 

Fully embrace networking opportunities and to learn as much as possible from professionals. 

Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek feedback  — this is an amazing opportunity to grow professionally.

What are you looking forward to after graduation? 

After graduation, I'm really excited to continue working in environmental consulting, particularly in projects related to sustainability and water management. 

I look forward to applying everything I've learned to make a positive difference in both private and public environmental projects.