Convocation Profile: A chat with Katja Schreiner

What brought you to the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR) at the University of Alberta?

I knew all throughout high school that I wanted a career in healthcare but was not sure where to go or what to pursue. My field hockey coach suggested I explore kinesiology programs, and I eventually landed on the University of Alberta because we have a dedicated degree program in kinesiology. I had also heard the program here was amazing and I jumped at the opportunity!

What was your favourite class and why?

My favourite class would be a three-way tie between KRLS 323, KIN 400, and KIN 440. I am interested in working with Indigenous communities in the future and found KRLS 323 to be an insightful course that introduced me to the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation certificate and research opportunities that have fundamentally changed both my degree experience and career path. KIN 400 and 440 were also excellent classes that deepened my understanding of anatomy and appreciation for the human body.

What was key to your academic success?

I’m not sure if I’d call it success, but balance has been really important in helping me survive my undergrad. It’s so easy to get caught up in grades and achievement, but university is also the time to make friends and memories. You have to make time for things that are important to you and that helps ground you. For me, that's gardening, dancing, and travelling.

What were some of the greatest challenges you faced as a student, how did you overcome these challenges and how have those challenges shaped the person you are today?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a student has been trying to achieve balance. I like to keep myself insanely busy with extracurricular activities and I eventually found it difficult to make time for myself and the things I care about. If I was going to give an incoming KSR student some advice it would be to get involved in no more than two or three activities outside your degree per semester. It’s really not worth the stress and late nights to try and do/be it all.

If you completed a practicum, where did you do your practicum and what did your role entail?

I just completed my research practicum working under the supervision of Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh on a qualitative study. The focus of my practicum was to analyze a set of interviews on how to engage in impactful physical activity research in Northern Indigenous communities. While my practicum is officially over, I’m still working with Dr. McHugh on a manuscript of our findings which should be finished in the near future!

You and your graduating classmates are experiencing Convocation like no other students have before you. What are some thoughts and/or feelings you have about convocating during a pandemic?

When I first heard that convocation would be online, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. My classmates and I have worked so hard over the course of 4+ years to reach this moment, so it is a little sad we are not able to celebrate our achievements together. I’m glad the University of Alberta is making a commitment to bringing us together in person when it’s safe to do so. For now, I’ll be enjoying the virtual convocation from the safety and comfort of my couch!

What are you most proud of in your journey as a U of A/KSR student?

The thing I’m most proud of in my journey as a KSR student is that I feel like I’ve tried it all. During my undergraduate degree I have done a lot of volunteer work (Varsity Health, Dance Without Limits, Fort Edmonton Park), led a student club (Orchesis Dance Performance Group), worked on campus (Campus & Community Recreation. DiscoverE, and as a research assistant), became involved in research, and I got to travel to the Kin Games in 2019. There are so many things to get involved in at the University of Alberta, especially in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and recreation, you just need to be open to them. I am so lucky to have been able to make the most of the opportunities available to me.

As you get ready to convocate, what career plans do you have for the future?

I’m so grateful to be able to continue my long-time dream of becoming a physical therapist and I will be attending the University of British Columbia’s Masters of Physical Therapy program in the Fall. I will be joining their northern and rural cohort, working primarily with northern, remote and Indigenous populations. My future career goal is to work in these communities, providing culturally safe and empathetic care to do my part to address the huge gap in health outcomes.