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Geography
Physical Geography student returns to SFU, dives into marine ecology, soils and GIS to map a new path forward
When Cory Chamberland returned to SFU to complete his undergraduate degree, his only goal was to walk across the stage with a diploma in hand. He wasn’t really concerned about what exactly he would study.
“I felt it was important as an example, as a role model for my family, to complete something. That’s how it started,” says Chamberland.
Chamberland began his second stint at SFU enrolled in a double minor science program before he transferred into the physical geography program, tacking on a biology minor and GIS certificate.
“I had a long career elsewhere; I've outgrown it and needed some change,” explains Chamberland. “As I got into my first couple of classes, I was able to morph into the physical geography major, because that's where I always felt passionate and best focused.”
Coursework aside, Chamberland has used his time back at SFU to explore multiple facets of the geography discipline, take on new opportunities and foster connections in multiple programs along the way.
Among the highlights is a four-week marine ecology field course at Bamfield’s Marine Science Centre where he worked alongside three fellow geography undergraduates combining his interests in both biology and GIS to study the impacts of sea temperature rise on kelp in Trevor Channel.
“At the end of our project, our profs thought we should publish [our findings] because there are some really interesting results,” says Chamberland. “It’s a cool outcome for something that you went into thinking, ‘you're just taking the course, you're going to do a little bit of field work, get a little bit of hands-on experience and meet a couple of people,’ but it just kind of exploded.”
Now, Chamberland is a research assistant 
in the SFU Soil Lab, led by geography professor Margaret Schmidt. Here, he works through soil samples collected throughout Schmidt’s career to send relevant samples to the Canadian Digital Soil Mapping Project, while disposing of those that no longer serve a purpose.
The Project works to improve and digitize Canada’s soil map, to assist decision making across government, agriculture and industry.
As Chamberland stares down the last three classes of his degree, he’s ready to take what he’s learned at SFU into the next stage of his career.
Leaning into his experience with soils and GIS, he’s currently pursuing his professional agrologist designation through the physical geography major and has an eye on combining this with his interest in biology.
“Looking at some of the jobs that are out there in the agrology realm, there is a need for soil scientists who have a marine influence. That’s where my head is at, and that may change over time,” says Chamberland. “But, going through this whole process, I know there will be opportunities.”
Chamberland has also entertained conversations of continuing his studies in graduate school, something he never would have even considered when he first returned to SFU.
“It was, trust me, not on my radar whatsoever,” he says. “But the cool thing about going through this process was that none of it was. The only thing that was on my radar was, ‘let's finish something right.’”
On track to complete his undergraduate journey next semester, Chamberland says it’s the connections he’s met throughout his time back at SFU that have been the most pivotal.
“For me, that’s what I’m taking away — make those connections with [professors], because they’re the ones who know the industry and can help you,” he says. “But it’s up to you to take the bull by the horns and run with it.”