The Kootenay path of science

Science and technology jobs are available here

Science and technology career options and educational programs in our region are increasing—due partially to organizations like Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) and the Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council (KRIC). Both organizations foster the development of science and technology in the Kootenays. Jayme Hadiken took her technology training at Selkirk College in Castlegar and is now a lab technician at Zellstoff Celgar. She shared with us her thoughts about her education and career choice.

How did you become interested in taking the Integrated Environmental Planning Technology program?

I was originally from Langley, B.C., and decided to go to Selkirk College to take the recreation, fish and wildlife technology program. I was always an outdoor person and I really cared about the environment. After completing my first year, I decided to switch programs to integrated environmental technology (IET). This was an excellent choice. I much preferred the science-based classes to the recreational-based classes; I wanted to learn about things like climate change and water pollution.

How long was the program, and do you have a degree or a certificate?

The IET program was two years and I graduated with a diploma.

Now that you are working in the field of technology, what do you have to say about your career?

I am starting a great career working as a lab technician at Celgar in Castlegar. I am able to use many of the skills I learned at Selkirk College. I do many of the environmental tests for the mill, such as testing mill effluent water quality or stack particulate testing. It is great because Selkirk College gave me the knowledge I needed to get started in this career, and now I am getting excellent hands-on experience.

Please add anything you feel people should know about careers in science and technology in the Kootenays.

Selkirk College was a great place to get a start to my post-secondary education. The class sizes were small and the instructors really cared and were very good. Almost all the people I graduated with have great jobs in their field. That is a great part about graduating with a technical diploma, especially in the environmental field: you are very employable. As well, Selkirk College has great transfer agreements with universities such as Royal Roads University in Victoria, so if you want to continue with your education after Selkirk, it is possible.