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I’m Haley, a Master of Science in Forestry student at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Today, I’m very confident that I have found the right path for me – but that wasn’t always the case. Here is how my academic journey has unfolded, from uncertainty to clarity.

High school uncertainty

Throughout high school, I always felt uncertain about what I wanted to do after I graduated. I spent a lot of time exploring science related fields, but still not feeling like I had something that I was ready to fully commit to, worried that I might make the wrong choice. I was always taught that you should be passionate about your career, and I wanted to ensure that I was setting myself up for exactly that.

A lifelong connection to the outdoors

I have been a dedicated member of Girl Guides of Canada for 16 years. I started at the age of 5 as a Spark and now continue as a leader and member of my local Girl Guide camp committee. The main things that have drawn me in over the years have been the incredible community of women and all of the opportunities that have been available to me, especially those that have involved travel and the outdoors.

Girl Guides has given me the space to build confidence as an individual, it has provided me with leadership and teamwork skills, and it has shown me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. It has also introduced me to the outdoors and given me a place to discover all of my favorite outdoor activities.

A defining experience in northern BC

During the summer of 2018, I was lucky enough to attend a nationally sponsored Girl Guide trip which took me, along with 27 fellow members, to northern British Columbia. This trip was focused on learning about the local indigenous culture and interacting with local communities, but also connecting with nature.

This experience truly changed me as a person and really strengthened my connection with nature. By the end of the trip, it was very clear to me that I didn’t want to keep nature as just a hobby or side interest. I wanted to make it a part of my future career, to keep connected to the environment, and to provide myself the opportunity to keep exploring and learning.

Discovering Environmental Management

Entering my final year of high school, I still wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. Jobs involving the outdoors weren’t something I knew really existed. Luckily, I stumbled across UNB’s Environmental Management program. I applied through UNB’s “on the spot admissions” program while they visited my school, and I was accepted. I was incredibly excited about starting this new journey and felt that I had maybe found my calling.

Early university years and their challenges

My first year in the program was a success. I got the hands-on experience I was looking for, and I learned so much! I did run into some difficulties navigating my second semester during COVID; however, I was still able to make the most of a difficult situation. I was most concerned about getting a job in my field for the summer, as this was highly encouraged and a chance for me to apply what I had learned over the course of the year. Although it took some time, I was lucky enough to be reached out to through the Federal Student Work Exchange Program (FSWEP) over the summer, offering me an interview for a Forest Research Assistant position, and I got the job!

First experience in forestry

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience working in this position, although it was a bit intimidating at first. I was working with a team of upper year forestry students, which was a field I wasn’t as confident in. But I was met with nothing but kindness, and I was able to learn so much from everyone I worked with.

The summer involved mainly tree measurements and identification, tree coring, and extensive data collection. This was a great opportunity to see how fieldwork is conducted, and it allowed me to apply all that I had learned in my classes. I found that by having this additional hands-on experience and the opportunity to work in the field with such great mentors really sparked my interest in forestry. So, I decided that this was something I wanted to further incorporate into my education.

Pursuing dual degree at UNB

I was provided with the option of pursuing the dual degree program, which involved working towards two bachelor’s degrees (Forestry and Environmental Management) in a five-year period. This was incredibly appealing to me as I had a great interest in both and felt that I would benefit from having an understanding of both sides. Starting in the fall of my third year was when I really began taking forestry courses. I was encouraged by my colleagues and classmates, some of which were on the same path. Although it was challenging, I am so happy that I did it!

Summer work experiences

I continued taking advantage of the incredible summer job positions available and worked on so many different projects. The majority of my summers were spent working for the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). I was able to work with various researchers on many different projects, and I have made so many meaningful connections. I was also lucky enough to work with a researcher from CFS to conduct my Honors research, looking into a provenance trial and assisted migration. I also spent one summer working in industry as an operations student, doing block layout. All of these experiences have played a critical role in my education and have led me to my current interest in research.

Here comes the scary question: What’s next?

As I was approaching the end of my undergrad, I was faced with some more uncertainty. I asked myself many questions:

• Am I ready to pursue grad school, or will I burn myself out?
• If I jump right into a career, will I still want to get a master’s degree?
• Am I ready to be committed to a long-term project, and do I have a niche yet?

I have so many interests and was worried about getting myself cornered into an area of research that I may not have been passionate about.

A perfect opportunity

During my final year of my undergrad, I came across an opportunity to interview for a master’s student position for one of the first projects that I was involved in as a summer student with the government, the Flat Top Spacing Trial. This was a project I was quite interested in, leading me to apply. This project is in partnership with the Northern Hardwood Research Institute (NHRI), which was also very appealing given the incredible learning and networking opportunities available.

What am I doing now?

I am now entering the second year of my master’s degree and have reached the end of my data collection. My project is looking at the impact of different pre-commercial thinning treatments on growth and competition in a northern hardwood stand. I have had an incredible support system throughout my degree and feel very ready to start the data analysis process.

Looking ahead

I see myself continuing to work in the field of forest research, where I can keep learning and building on the skills that I have developed throughout my education and work experiences. One thing that I have learned is that forestry rarely offers quick answers. Progress comes from long-term studies and from a willingness to adapt as new challenges, tools, and information emerge.

Sustainability is more than just a research interest for me; it feels like a responsibility. My goal is to contribute to research that supports sustainable forest management, while also creating a collaborative environment like the ones I have been so fortunate to experience. Between my years in Guiding and the support I’ve received over the course of my academic journey, I have seen firsthand how important guidance and encouragement can be.

Looking back, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that career paths rarely follow a straight line. All aspects of my journey, including my high school uncertainties, unexpected work opportunities, and experiences in Girl Guides, have all shaped me in ways that I never could have planned. I’ve learned that saying “yes” and stepping outside of your comfort zone can open doors to opportunities that you may not have known existed. Most of all, these experiences have taught me the value of persistence, hard work, adaptability, and mentorship – lessons I will carry with me as I look ahead to my future in forestry.