Andreas Gunster - Coop Q & A

Co-op Term: Spring 2024 - Spring 2025 (16 months)

Where do you work?

I work at Environment Climate Change Canada, within the Contaminated Sites Team at the National Hydrological Services.

What is your role (what type of work did you do)? What were some of your responsibilities?

My team manages environmental remediation projects at National Hydrological Services contaminated sites across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon. I’m involved in every stage of the remediation process—from conducting site reconnaissance to assess environmental conditions, to consulting with key stakeholders, securing necessary environmental permits, and overseeing the decommissioning and remediation of sites.

How have the skills/knowledge developed in the classroom apply to your job? What did you learn?

My work at ECCC required several hard and soft skills I developed at SFU, including project management, GIS, and technical writing. Managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders built on the project management skills I honed while balancing coursework and deadlines at SFU. Through the GIS certificate program, I gained spatial analysis expertise, which I now use to visualize contaminated sites and support project completion. Lastly, technical writing is essential for clearly documenting and reporting our work, a skill I developed through academic research and reporting at SFU.

Can you share a challenge you faced in your Co-op and how you overcame it?

One challenge I faced during my co-op was adapting to the more technical aspects of environmental science and engineering, as my background is in Human Geography. My work in contaminated sites and environmental remediation required an understanding of ecological processes, contaminants, and technical remediation methods—areas I had limited exposure to. To overcome this, I relied on the expertise of my team, asked questions to deepen my understanding, and actively built my knowledge through hands-on experience. This approach helped me bridge the gap and contribute effectively to my projects.

What was your most memorable Co-op experience?

My most memorable experience(s) of my Co-op were related to the many places I had the opportunity to travel and work over the course of my Co-op. I had the opportunity to travel all over BC and Alberta, including to Haida Gwaii, Fort St. John, Jasper, Banff, and all over Vancouver Island. Assisting with two remediation projects in Jasper and Banff in November was a particular highlight to me.

In addition to our projects, I’ve gone through several training courses which have been very memorable to me. I completed my Swiftwater Rescue Technician course, which involved getting into a drysuit and learning how to rescue people from rivers in Courtenay, BC. I also completed my Chainsaw Operations course, which taught me how to safely use a chainsaw for work.

What have you learned through your Co-op experience?

In addition to developing technical skills, my co-op experience at ECCC has strengthened my confidence and assertiveness in a professional setting. The length of my co-op allowed me to gain a deep understanding of my team’s work, and over time, I’ve grown from learning from others to having a real voice and contributing meaningful value. I’ve also developed greater independence, transitioning from being mentored to mentoring new co-op students, which has reinforced my expertise and leadership skills.

Through this experience, I’ve also learned that I highly value opportunities to travel for work, work outdoors, and contribute to meaningful environmental projects. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with my team and seeing projects through from start to finish, which has been incredibly rewarding.

What advice do you have for future Co-op students?

My advice to future co-op students is to push their boundaries and consider roles outside the direct scope of their studies. I gained invaluable experience working in a scientific and technical team, despite my background in Human Geography. Stepping into a new field challenged me and helped me develop skills I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I also highly recommend pursuing a longer co-op if possible. Spending extended time with a team allowed me to build deeper expertise, gain confidence in my role, and see projects through from start to finish. While I understand the desire to complete shorter co-ops, to quickly complete the co-op designation or to get experience at a variety of different workplaces, truly investing time and effort in a role made my experience more rewarding and beneficial for myself and my career.