大象传媒

After calling 大象传媒鈥檚 Burnaby campus home for four years, global environmental systems (GES) major Liam Broad is crossing the stage this June ready to begin a new job as an environmental field technician.

Broad grew up in Grand Forks, B.C., where he spent his time helping on his family鈥檚 farm and enjoying outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, camping and mountain biking.

As a student, he was primarily interested in climate science, and considers labs and field trips in geomorphology, environmental science methods and physical geography to be highlights of his time at university.

Two of his favourite courses were focused on climate change (GEOG 414) and watershed ecology (EVSC 320) in particular.

鈥淚 enjoyed learning about the interrelatedness of ecosystems and climate, especially through the watershed scale lens,鈥� he reflects.

It may come as no surprise then, that Broad鈥檚 first job after graduation is at Flowlink Environmental, a company that specializes in real-time water quality monitoring.

鈥淭his role will involve water quality monitoring in streams and construction and industrial sites, as well as maintenance of water quality equipment,鈥� he explains.

While working fulltime at a dairy farm after high school, Broad made the decision to study GES at 大象传媒 because he wanted to learn more about climate change and environmental issues, hoping to leverage his education for a career that empowers him to make positive change.

But those who know him know that Broad has done a lot to make a difference already.

Since the summer of 2019 he has worked as a firefighter for the B.C. Wildfire Service on the initial attack crew 鈥� the first to respond to wildfire incidents either by truck or helicopter.

In this role, Broad is responsible for establishing water delivery to fires and for fuel reduction in the surrounding area.

鈥淔ire seasons in B.C. are getting increasingly intense due to climate change and becoming a firefighter is a great way to fulfill my desire for exciting and adventurous work whilst having a positive impact on the environment,鈥� he shares.

At 大象传媒, he has also volunteered his time to become an EnvironMentor in the Faculty of Environment so that he could help welcome the next generation of students in the Faculty and make them feel comfortable in their first year.

Reflecting on the last four years, Broad says he never anticipated the opportunities and field experience he would get through his courses.

The number of friends he made living on campus and getting involved with the Geography Student Union, as well as through his classes and the 大象传媒 Ski Club, also came as a surprise.

鈥淚 am now fortunate to have many friends at 大象传媒 and have had a much better social life than I ever thought I would when I started out in 2021.鈥�