USask graduate connects education to career in real time

Damien Georges will officially receive his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (major in Environmental Science, minor in Toxicology) at University of Saskatchewan (USask) Fall Convocation on November 13.

As a member of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN—S) and Kineepik Métis Local in Pinehouse, Sask., Georges was able to utilize his USask education to help his community and elevate his professional career at the same time.

“The environmental science major offers numerous opportunities for hands-on learning experiences to gain practical skills,” said Georges. “Students are also kept up to date on environmental issues, as the field is constantly evolving.”

Some of these hands-on learning experiences included a weeklong field course for SLSC 480.3 Soils and Boreal Landscapes taught by Dr. Joel Ens (PhD). In this course, students examine and classify northern soils within various landscapes. It includes an introduction to ecological classification and forest measurements, as well as an artistic interpretation of landscapes.

“I enjoy the outdoors, and these experiences led me to finding a career in a similar sector,” said Georges.

For most of his undergraduate degree, Georges worked as the environmental co-ordinator for MN—S. The position included grant writing, reporting and relationship building. 

“At times it was hard to balance both the roles of student and career professional at the same time due to tight deadlines,” said Georges. “But the experience helped me learn time management, prioritization, and determination.”

Georges had the opportunity to connect his course work to his career via a research project featuring bats.

“For a student capstone group project, we investigated white-nose syndrome and its link to the bat population in Northern Saskatchewan,” said Georges. “MN—S was involved by helping create and post bat boxes in the community of Pinehouse, Sask.”

White-nose syndrome is a disease that affects hibernating bats and is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. It sometimes appears as a white fuzz on bats’ faces, which is how the disease got its name. The disease has led to a population decline of bats across North America.

“The research showed that the bat population in the area did not have white-nose syndrome, but we are now able to monitor for it, as the disease is moving northward across North America,” said Georges.

When it came time to choose where to study for his post-secondary education, Georges looked to USask, where his sister earned her Bachelor of Education degree. Georges attended Open House and a campus tour before applying for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) program in the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources. The BSA program offers 10 majors and 13 minors to choose from, such as the environmental science major and toxicology minor that Georges took.  

“The College of Agriculture and Bioresources has a wide range of programs that correspond with what I wanted to learn and gain a career in,” said Georges. “I enjoyed every part of being a USask student, from attending sporting games, joining clubs, living in residence, and meeting new friends.”

Georges now works as the manager of environment, education, and training at Kineepik Métis Local in Pinehouse. In this role he fosters partnerships with researchers and land users, conducts environmental monitoring, mapping, surveying, and leads a scholarship program, among many more projects.

His future plans are focused on helping his community and continuing his education and research.

“I want to gain more experience and develop my team to better serve the needs of the community of Pinehouse. I love learning new research methods and how it applies to the real world.”