Growing up in Sudbury, my childhood and young adulthood was filled with stories from the mining sector as both my parents worked in the industry. The impact of the work that they, and the industry achieved globally was always highlighted. Little did I know that I would end up with a career linked to the mining sector as well, but in such a different realm! I loved all sciences, but the defining moment that brought me to pursue my area of specialty was over coffee with Dr. David Pearson at my alma mater, Laurentian University. His passion and vision for Geology and Environmental Earth Sciences ignited mine. That conversation sparked new ideas and grew my thirst for knowledge about the world around us and below our feet. I started my career in mining as a Risk Management Facilitator and Environmental Technician for inactive mine sites throughout Canada. Communicating effectively was a key part of these roles and was a perfect fit for my personality and skills. It was through these experiences that I saw how important it was to get these inspiring stories out to the everyday public, and to people of all ages. I discovered that at heart I was a science communicator!
I think that I have the best, and most fun, job in all of Sudbury! My role as Senior Scientist leading the development and operations at Dynamic Earth. I meet and interact with so many different people of all ages and from all over the world and get to inspire them to learn more about mining and earth sciences. I lead a team of young people who often start their first job at Dynamic Earth, and often choose a path in the mining sector inspired by their experiences at Dynamic Earth. I enjoy our collaboration with mining industry partners, with the goal of bringing to our visitors a better understanding of the new technology, innovation and advancements emerging in the sector. Together we then develop exhibits and experiences that highlight just how exciting mining and earth sciences really are. I love when I am able to see the spark of understanding in a visitor’s’ eye when I tell them “Everything that we use has either been grown or mined”. I’m proud to be a part of the team at Science North and Dynamic Earth who are building the next generation of STEM leaders who will pursue careers in the mining sector.
For me, the benefit of choosing a career tied to mining was the opportunity to take my passion for science communication and turn this into a creative endeavour that is focused on educating the public, especially about what modern mining really means. For others, the benefit may lie in travelling to different locations all over the world, while others enjoy the opportunity to be leaders, innovate and problem solve in the world of mining initiatives. One thing that I hope everyone will take note of, no matter your career type, is that the mining sector offers a huge variety of exciting opportunities!