BC Co-op Student of the Year!
Camosun students win second year in a row
March 20, 2009
Third-year environmental technology student Jennifer Le Mercier is the 2008 Co-op Student of the Year awarded by the Association for Co-operative Education of British Columbia/Yukon. The prestigious annual award is based on the student’s achievement on the work term, academics, and on contributions to co-operative education and the community. (And we’re pretty proud that the 2007 award was also won by a Camosun student, Kevin Ginley!).
Le Mercier spent her first work term with the Ministry of Forests and Range, Protection Program as a wildland fire science technician. Based in Victoria, Le Mercier spent almost half of her time in the Prince George/Vanderhoof area near Carrot Lake, studying the effects of the mountain pine beetle on the forest. Le Mercier surveyed plots of tree stands killed by mountain pine beetle infestation and worked on an experiment to see how these dead trees would burn, as the level of fire intensity can be significantly higher in trees infested with the mountain pine beetle. She collected data and made predictions on burning, although unfortunately were unable to burn the sample area as the weather remained too wet. In spite of this, Le Mercier had a wonderful learning experience and had the opportunity to apply all her classroom learned skills. Nathalie Lavoie, Le Mercier’s co-op supervisor, encouraged learning on the work term and provided many opportunities for Le Mercier to attend courses and workshops. One of Le Mercier’s favourites was the Firefighters Boot Camp, in spite of the very early morning start with a five am work out! Le Mercier also enjoyed the travelling and experiencing a totally different ecosystem from that of Vancouver Island.
Fire science!
Fire management is a field that requires competency in a wide range of concepts and techniques on the job. Nathalie Lavoie commented on Le Mercier’s motivation in acquiring those skills to reach a level of knowledge more than satisfactory for the scientific work involved. “Jen demonstrated great discipline and commitment in gaining most of that knowledge independently through directed readings and exercises,” says Lavoie. According to Lavoie, Le Mercier demonstrated a level of maturity seldom encountered in students.
Love the outdoors? So work there.
Le Mercier’s love of the outdoors originated in high school when she participated in the Earthquest Outdoor School in Vernon, BC, an experiential program designed to enhance learning ability, self confidence and self discipline. This opportunity to face a wide range of challenges and rewarding experiences focused on the environment, outdoor pursuits and Native studies stood Le Mercier in good stead and spiked her interest in environmental technology. “Jennifer has a deep commitment to the environment and is very aware of her surroundings,” says Lavoie. “She took every occasion to introduce green ideas in the work place and to lead by example. This was above and beyond her job description and the whole office benefitted from her actions.”
Le Mercier is currently on her second work term which she self-developed at Rocketday Arts, a graphic design company in Victoria. Here Le Mercier is applying her knowledge in environmental education while developing skills in graphic design and web design. She has the opportunity to work with many environmentally conscious clients and continues to build on her skills through practical experience and research.
Le Mercier also received the Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op Student of the Year award which recognizes outstanding co-op students at Camosun College. Le Mercier offers some advice to upcoming co-op students: “Take advantage of every co-op work term and experience working in both the public and private sectors. It opens so many doors.”
