Student Profile: Jennifer Conroy

I started post-secondary education in sociology: research and demography, but my first career was in communications and design.

My first co-op job was in Victoria, writing survey questions and interpreting data for the ministry of education. So, given this foundation, Gerontology makes sense, but it took me 10 years to find it. My second co-op was for a publisher, which led to a position at a design studio, then an ad agency, and finally back to SFU to do communications work for the Vancouver campus. The projects that meant the most to me had close ties to people and communities. I won awards for work on food sustainability, restorative justice, and civic engagement. In 2013 I joined the board at HUB Cycling and gained a sense of the direct impact of my work on everyday experiences in a community. I wanted more, but how? 

I finished an MA in Humanities, and applied to a social work program, but quickly realized I needed to focus on a population. Older people and aging were an obvious choice. In 2015, I picked up a tenor ukulele and now I'm a frequent song leader at two monthly music nights. I grew up singing and playing piano, and I know the words to just about every oldie, country song, and jazz standard. I’m always one of the youngest people in the room, and I’m honoured to be around so much expertise and expression. 

I’m currently in the PBD program, and am struck by how many of us come from different academic streams and life experiences. As chair of the undergrad student union, I want to offer opportunities for everyone to meet, so we can build bonds we can access when we’re no longer in classes together. Our Spring Social on Feb 27 (organized by Jennifer, Soo Sen, Queenie, and me) was delightfully well-attended. We’d love to hear from you: heyjennyc@icloud.com.

What’s next? I’m applying to the MA program, and I’d like to study active transportation, specifically cycling over the life course. I’m aware of the combined benefits of riding a bike — health, independence, delight, purpose, and connection — and how critical these become in later life. I want to find out why people ride bikes, how it becomes a love and a habit, and why, at some point, riding a bike seems less feasible. Its infrastructure and keen observers make Metro Vancouver an ideal location. I’m excited to investigate the ‘ages' components of "all ages and abilities," in the social as well as physical environments. I intend to ride my bike for transport for as many years as I can, and I want to make that possible for others.