Students

Convocation ‘24: Madison Pusch, BSc Environmental and Conservation Sciences

Donna McKinnon - 12 June 2024

 

Madison Pusch has always loved animals. As a child, these formative experiences in the outdoors sparked an interest in wildlife and conservation. She chose the environmental and conservation studies program in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences because she wanted to ‘make a difference in the world’, and it didn’t take long for her to realize she was on the right path.

“I followed my heart and here I am!”

Throughout her program — even during her first year when classes were online because of the COVID-19 shutdown — Madison made concerted efforts to engage with her peers and professors, taking advantage of opportunities to expand her knowledge and make new connections. As a result, her experiences are rich and varied and included participation in the Yukon Field School where she learned about Indigenous cultures and conservation issues in northern Canada, working as a research assistant in Inuvik in the summer of 2023, and even a volunteer stint as a snake hibernaculum relocation assistant for the Edmonton and Area Land Trust last year.

Now working as a wildlife consultant for a Calgary-based Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), Madison is planning on a graduate degree in conservation science in the next few years.

Congratulations Madison!

 

What program are you graduating from?

Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Conservation Biology major

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

I have always loved the outdoors and wildlife. Growing up, I loved to play outside and go camping, and was fascinated by animals. In high school when I was figuring out what I wanted to do in my life, I wanted a career that made a difference in the world. I combined that with my love for nature and found conservation biology, and I knew I was on the right path once I started at the University of Alberta. I chose the U of A because it was close to home and it is a prestigious school with the resources to teach me, setting me up for a future career.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

One of my favourite memories at the U of A was summer field school between my second and third year, where my friends and I were in a group together and we spent a week outside working on tasks together and laughing and joking around. I also loved going to the Yukon Field School and staying at Kluane Lake, where we learned about Indigenous cultures and conservation issues in northern Canada. I also loved working as a research assistant in Inuvik in the summer of 2023, working on permafrost thaw and its effect on stream water.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

I have two favourite professors: John Acorn and René Belland. John was my instructor for REN R 205, a wildlife identification course, where I later became a teaching assistant. He also was my instructor for two independent study projects I completed with my best friend. John taught us a lot and gave us many opportunities at wildlife conferences and public communication events as well, and even took us on awesome birding trips. He is a great mentor and took the time to get to know us and build strong relationships. He always believed in the potential of our projects and helped us make them great. My research partner and I presented our project in Jasper during an Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society (ACTWS) conference.

René taught me multiple classes, was always very helpful and friendly with students and he made it a priority to get to know all of us in his class. He did everything he could to see us succeed and spoke for us at our graduation as well. I still visit him in his office and in his moss class (REN R 327) just to say hi! There are so many other amazing professors in this program, and it was awesome to be part of it.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student? 

During my undergrad, I worked as a TA for one of my favourite classes — REN R 205, the wildlife biodiversity and ecology identification course, for two years. I really enjoyed my experience as I got to share my knowledge and passion about wildlife, and also help others get to know and love different species as well. I met a lot of cool people through this, and they also taught me things when they asked all kinds of interesting questions about the species, which I then had to research the answers to.

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program?

I first started my undergraduate degree in the fall of 2020, so the COVID pandemic was still in full effect. It was really hard to make friends or get involved in classes or extracurriculars, which made the first year and a half of my degree very lonely. Most of my classes were online, and I didn't have any solid ways to interact with my peers. But I made an effort and met up with some people in my first in-person class, and as restrictions were lifted, I made sure to get involved in extracurricular activities and other projects. I soon made some awesome friends, my extracurriculars led to awesome opportunities and work positions and I connected with professors as well and got to know them personally. It made my undergraduate degree so much more enjoyable to have a rich community of people.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

My advice would be to follow your passions and do something you truly care about and love, even if it is not what people expect from you or think you should do. When I chose my degree I was struggling between two options, and I almost made the wrong choice because I was going to pick what I thought people thought I should do. But I followed my heart and here I am! I love my degree and the jobs I have had working in this field.

I would also say to get to know your professors and your peers. They are interested in the same things you are, and it creates great opportunities for the future. It also leads to strong bonds and memories to cherish.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I am going to set my calculus notes on fire with my friends in celebration.

What's next after graduation?

After graduation, I am moving to Calgary to start my new job working for an environmental consulting company as a wildlife technician, where I get to work with birds (my favourite species group), reptiles and amphibians. Hopefully after a year or two there, I will likely plan on completing my masters degree in conservation sciences, hopefully in Europe!