Sonia Stambolian - Coop Q & A

Co-op Term: Summer and Fall 2024

Where did you work?

Environmental Department, Ascot Resources in Stewart, BC. This was a fly-in fly-out job, and I worked 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. While on site, I worked 12 hours/day for the entirety of the 2 weeks.

What was your role? What were some of your responsibilities?

Field work:

• Surface water sampling
• Groundwater sampling
• Air quality monitoring
• Hydrometric measurements
• Wildlife monitoring
• Erosion and sediment control

Administrative/Logistical:

• Supply ordering and management
• Reporting, as needed (for ensample: water level at the tailings pond was reported on a regular basis to the construction engineers)
• Trouble-shooting equipment with the assistance of manufacturers
• Collaborating with various teams (Site Services, Water Treatment, etc.) on tasks, as needed
• Creating manuals for new equipment or monitoring procedures
• Regularly updating tracking sheets with sampling and monitoring results

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

GIS skills I learned in GEOG 255 and GEOG 353 were helpful, as we would create maps to communicate work requests to Ascot’s Site Services team. For example, after a large rain event we would have to manage runoff from the roads (as it could be of poor water quality) and would create maps of where erosion and sediment control measures would need to put in place. We’d then provide this map to the Site Services team, and they would dig drainage ditches or place bails/flocculant blocks at the pre-identified sites of concern. General knowledge from GEOG 213 and 311 was also helpful and relevant. Overall, because it was such a field-based role, the most applicable skills were those that I had gained in a previous co-op.

Previously, I only had experience with hydrometric field work, so this role increased the breadth of my field skills. I learned quite a bit about water quality and air quality sampling. It also opened my eyes to the permitting process for projects of this nature and the provincial and federal regulations they fall under.

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

Ascot Resources faced financial challenges over my co-op and, as a result, we did not always have all the field gear/equipment necessary to do all jobs or do jobs to certain standards. Our team was resourceful and worked to find creative solutions to as many of these equipment challenges as possible. When equipment could not be fixed, we would research replacement options and send quotes to supervisors for review and approval.

What was your most memorable Co-op experience?

It would be impossible to pick just one! The site was spectacular! Imagine spending hours taking groundwater samples with a glacier in the background; or watching giant chunks of glacial ice flowing down the river after a glacial outburst event; or line dancing at the “International Days”; or curling at the rink on Mondays... And on top of that, imagine doing all of that with great friends.

What have you learned through your Co-op experience?

Part of the reason I applied for the position at Ascot Resources was to investigate whether my conscience could withstand working in the extraction/mining industry. I learned that there are committed people working in these sectors, who are concerned with environmental implications of, and Indigenous perspectives on these projects.

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

Don’t be afraid of the out-of-town options! Both co-ops I did were outside of the lower mainland, and they were both so worthwhile. If anyone has more questions about this co-op, I’m happy to chat. My email is sstambol@sfu.ca.