Featured Student: Sarah Bond

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

 I’m majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainability Science. I’ll  graduate in May 2026. 

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op? 

The Environmental Science program covers a relatively broad range of topics. In the program, I’ve covered scientific topics such as ecology, environmental chemistry, climate science and computer modelling, as well as social-scientific topics such as environmental policy, law, governance and ethics. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this approach, as it has given me a holisticintroduction to the environmental field. In fact, this approach reflects the broad range of positions available in the environmental field, which may include research, consulting, government or academia. 

 I enrolled in Co-op, because it’s a great way to experience a wide variety of positions within a specified timeline without committing to a permanent position. It’s a  great way to explore different streams within your area of study and to experience the day-to-day realities of different roles. It’s an opportunity to understand where your interests lay and not just conceptually as learned in school, but in practice as well.

Although enjoyable, such a broad course load can make it challenging to pinpoint which area to pursue professionally. I enrolled in Co-op, because it’s a great way to experience a wide variety of positions within a specified timeline without committing to a permanent position. It’s a  great way to explore different streams within your area of study and to experience the day-to-day realities of different roles. It’s an opportunity to understand where your interests lay and not just conceptually as learned in school, but in practice as well. 

Which positions did you work during Co-op? 

My first Co-op was with a private company called BGIS, from May to August 2024. BGIS is a facilities management company, where I worked as a Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator. 

My task for the summer was to ensure that the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for hazardous materials in the facilities that we managed were up to date and to redesign the method by which the company kept track of document updates. I also sent out weekly communication regarding bacteria levels in building cooling towers to ensure that they remain within acceptable limits and to identify any instances where mitigation measures should be taken. 

My second Co-op was with the Federal Government, where I worked for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). I was in this position for eight months (August 2024 to May 2025) and worked in two separate units. 

In the Expert Support unit, I worked in the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) program to finalize the ‘Reptile Module’. This is an ecological risk assessment guidance document, meant to be used by risk assessment practitioners to evaluate risk to reptiles at their contaminated site. The second unit I worked for was the Compliance Promotion unit, where I sent out email campaigns to share information with contacts and companies to promote awareness and compliance to environmental regulations. I also QAQCed contact and company information for those who are subject to the environmental regulations that my team worked on. 

My final Co-op was with The Strands and Screes Inn, which is a small pub/inn/brewery/distillery located in the Lake District, England. I worked as a Sustainability Specialist to implement a recycling program, gathered quotes for the installation of solar panels and a heat pump, researched subsidies and grants within the area to support the development of sustainable infrastructure and suggested other sustainable practices that should be implemented. 

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

One of my favourite experiences while in the Science Co-op program was working on large scale projects that have real and lasting impact for the teams that I worked with. 

When at BGIS, it was redesigning the system of which SDS documents are stored in federal properties across BC and the Yukon. At ECCC, it was my work on the Reptile Module. At The Strands & Screes, it was the Sustainability Reports that I created to provide actionable recommendations that would improve sustainability throughout the business.

These projects required significantly more time and investment than any project in school, simply due to the longer timelines involved. I appreciated knowing that the work I completed would continue to be useful to my teams. 

There is a sense of accomplishment that comes from contributing to something with tangible, lasting purpose. 

What was your best achievement in Co-op? 

I would have to say that my biggest achievement while in Co-op was the work that I did on the Reptile Module at ECCC. This module had been in the works for several years, but I was able to contribute to the finalization of the first draft during my Co-op term. 

I began by completing a literature search to find any studies published on reptile toxicology in recent years, as the last search for the purposes of this document was completed several years  prior. I then reformatted our working version of the appendix table, which contained raw data, background information and results from nearly 100 scientific journal articles. I read every source that was previously saved to be added to our appendix table and ensured that the entries in our table were complete and accurate. I also added the articles that I found in my literature search to this appendix table. 

Once the appendix table was complete, I worked with my supervisor to summarize the results from every study in our table in the form of paragraphs, which were added to the body of the document. We grouped common findings across all our sources and wrote a paragraph for snakes, turtles and lizards for each of our ten contaminants of concern. This resulted in thirty paragraphs that summarized a ‘state of knowledge’ of the common contaminants of concerns’ effects on reptiles. 

The next step was to obtain a French version of this document. The draft module was sent to the translation bureau and translated into French. Once we received it back, I reviewed it to ensure that the scientific verbiage was accurately translated and stayed true to the original English version. 

Finally, I presented my work on this module to my office in an hour-long presentation. Once both versions of the Reptile Module (the English and the French) go through the final peer-review process, it will be available as a public facing document on the Government of Canada website to be used by Ecological Risk Assessment practitioners nationwide.

Finally, I presented my work on this module to my office in an hour-long presentation. Once both versions of the Reptile Module (the English and the French) go through the final peer-review process, it will be available as a public facing document on the Government of Canada website to be used by Ecological Risk Assessment practitioners nationwide. 

What about the best day you had in your Co-op city, Vancouver and beyond? 

I don’t think I can narrow it down to a single day, but I really loved getting to know the places where I was working better. I loved working downtown Vancouver. Getting lunch with co-workers, seeing the city, trying new coffee shops and walking the sea wall on my breaks allowed me to experience the life of the city where I’ve lived for years. This gave me a whole new appreciation for where I live and a taste of what life after graduation might look like. 

On that note, living in the Lake District was absolutely beautiful. Although a major change of pace from city life, it was a nice break to experience a quiet summer in the countryside. In my time off, I’d go for walks to the lake, through sheep fields, along the nearby rivers, drive to the seaside and hike the surrounding fells. 

In fact, we were only a short drive from the tallest mountain in England: Scafell Pike. Living in the Lake District allowed me to explore other towns within the National Park, including Whitehaven, Keswick, Windermere and so many little villages in between. It was a lovely opportunity to travel around somewhere I’d never been before and experience life in another country. 

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

During my time at ECCC, I worked in two separate units at the same time. Each unit had different supervisors and worked on entirely different programs. There were times where I felt challenged by the wide scope of tasks that I was assigned, especially as deadlines for the Reptile Module were approaching. Looking at my list of tasks could feel overwhelming at times. 

Although the Reptile Module did not have any strict deadlines along the way, I worked backwards from my end deadline to set up smaller milestones for the months prior. I planned out each week accordingly and was able to fill my remaining time with as many smaller tasks as possible, from both the Expert Support and the Compliance Promotion Units.

I found it quite useful to set smaller deadlines for myself to stay on track and complete my assignments in good time. Although the Reptile Module did not have any strict deadlines along the way, I worked backwards from my end deadline to set up smaller milestones for the months prior. I planned out each week accordingly and was able to fill my remaining time with as many smaller tasks as possible, from both the Expert Support and the Compliance Promotion Units. 

This strategy highlighted the importance of setting realistic deadlines for myself and knowing my own capacity. It was also essential that I could clearly communicate my workload with those who I was reporting to, to ensure maximum productivity without sacrificing the quality of my work. 

By effectively managing my time and workload, I was able to submit a completed draft of the Reptile Module on time and engage with many aspects of both the Compliance Promotion unit and the FCSAP program. This broadened my understanding of the two programs, allowed me to immerse myself in the range of responsibilities of each unit and make the most of my Co-op experience. 

Managing the balance between academics, Co-op responsibilities and a personal  life can be intense – what are your self care practices and/or how do you manage stress? 

I think that it’s so important to make time for the things that you enjoy. For me, I spend much of my free time playing piano, guitar, swimming and skiing. I found that it was much easier to make time for my hobbies during my Co-op terms, compared to my study terms, as a 9-5 type job allows you to have proper breaks on your evenings and weekends. Unlike with school, you can leave your work behind when you end your workday. I’ve found that having the separation between work and my personal life has helped me to feel generally well balanced, well rested and therefore more productive and motivated at work. 

I hope to take this perspective into my last study terms at UBC. In my first few years of university, school felt all-encompassing and it was difficult to find time for the things that I like to do. My time in Co-op helped me to realize the importance of balance and having dedicated time off, which I hope to prioritize in my final year of school. 

I plan to treat school like a job, in the sense that I dedicate certain hours of the day to school and leave it behind after a certain time. By setting hours to work on school (which I intend to be productive, minimize distractions and be efficient with my time), I hope to continue to prioritize my well-being, rest and hobbies. 

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

Co-op has helped me build confidence as a professional. 

In the past, I’ve often hesitated to speak up in team meetings for fear of being wrong. Being the youngest or newest person in the room can be intimidating. Through my Co-op experiences, I’ve learned to contribute my thoughts more confidently, even if they aren’t always perfect. In fact, teams often appreciate fresh perspectives from students who can sometimes identify inefficiencies or suggest improvements that others might overlook. 

I hope to continue my growth in confidence as I enter my last year of my undergraduate degree and graduate into my career. 

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

Co-op has helped my career in several ways. 

On the technical side, I have developed a broad range of job-related skills. My professional communication, time management and task prioritization skills have all improved throughout my Co-op terms. Co-op also allowed me to get a feel for the job search process. These technical experiences will be advantageous as a new graduate entering the job market and as I begin my career. 

On a broader note, my Co-op placements have provided me with valuable context to my academic studies, which I have found to be quite motivating as I enter my last year at UBC. Seeing how concepts learned in school are applied in real-world situations has helped me to realize the purpose and importance of what we are learning, which has revived my interest in many topics covered within the Environmental Science program. 

I can now envision a career path where I can apply my academic knowledge with a practical approach to make realistic and achievable change. 

The motivation that I’ve gained from experiencing this firsthand strengthened my commitment to pursuing impactful work in the environmental field.

Co-op allowed me to see why what I’m learning in school is important, how it ties into real world situations and can create lasting impacts. For example, many of my courses discussed the challenges of remote communities achieving energy independence and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. Living in a small, remote village allowed me to see this firsthand and experience the logistical challenges that often stand in the way of sustainable solutions. 

I can now envision a career path where I can apply my academic knowledge with a practical approach to make realistic and achievable change. The motivation that I’ve gained from experiencing this firsthand strengthened my commitment to pursuing impactful work in the environmental field. 

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 and/or personal growth? 

I found the Co-op workshops quite useful, particularly those focused on resume and cover letter building. 

Rather than only stating a skill, I’m now able to prove it, by giving real world examples and describing successful outcomes. The skills that I learned in these workshops were not only useful to me securing my Co-op placements, but also will be useful as I apply for full-time positions after graduation.

Prior to entering the Co-op program, I didn’t have any work experience directly related to my field of study. My previous resumes and cover letters lacked content that reflected my academic background, technical skills or relevant projects. 

The Co-op workshops taught me how to create effective resumes and cover letters that highlight relevant information in a clear and structured format. I incorporated new sections, such as ‘coursework’ and ‘technical projects’, which were formatted to be brief, but impactful. 

I also got plenty of practice formatting my sentences on my resume and cover letters. Rather than only stating a skill, I’m now able to prove it, by giving real world examples and describing successful outcomes. The skills that I learned in these workshops were not only useful to me securing my Co-op placements, but also will be useful as I apply for full-time positions after graduation. 

Advocate for yourself: you might be surprised by the opportunities that come about!

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

Advocate for yourself: you might be surprised by the opportunities that come about! 

When ECCC hired me, it was for a four-month term with the Expert Support unit. Near the beginning of my work term at ECCC, my supervisor mentioned the possibility of extending my placement and asked if that was something I would be interested in. I said yes, but didn’t hear anything further for a few weeks. I followed up to express my continued interest and ended up being able to extend to an eight-month placement on the condition that I share my time with the Compliance Promotion unit. 

Essentially, I was to take on the tasks of two different placements simultaneously. I’m so thankful for this opportunity, as it allowed me to gain the experience and knowledge of two completely different placements, while maintaining the consistency and security of an eight-month placement. I received the benefits of two placements, in the sense that I broadened my knowledge of programs within the Federal government and expanded my skillset by working on diverse types of projects. I also got the benefits of an eight-month placement, where I had the time to build relationships, fully carry though my projects, as well as understand my role and how it fit into the bigger picture. 

Don’t hesitate to tap into your network, even one conversation could lead to an unexpected opportunity.

On that note, I would also suggest reaching out to your connections as you never know what might come of it. The parents of my childhood best friend had recently purchased a pub in England. I jokingly made a comment to my friend asking if they needed a sustainability coordinator and to my surprise, they were open to the idea. That conversation led to an international Co-op placement, where I’ve had the opportunity to independently research and implement sustainable initiatives at a small business in a different country. Don’t hesitate to tap into your network, even one conversation could lead to an unexpected opportunity. 

What are you looking forward to after graduation? 

I’m looking forward to continuing to narrow my career interests, perhaps by taking on contract work to explore different roles. 

I also hope to fit some travelling into my next year after graduation. Eventually, I would like to pursue a Masters degree related to Environmental Science.