Candice Paton
	Cybermentor Since: August 19, 2004
	Occupation: Chemical Engineering
	Education:

Questions & Answers

Life after university

Candice is passionate when it comes to the environment. So it’s little wonder that after completing her Masters degree in chemical engineering – with a specific focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions – Candice took some time off to help others see the world the same way.

From January through March 2009, Candice was in Australia as part of a cycling tour called The Otesha Project, pedaling over 1,290 kilometres to engage youth about issues of sustainability and energy consumption through interactive school workshops and theatrical performances.

How did you come to be involved with The Otesha Project?

I was involved with Engineers Without Borders at the university and learned about Otesha through a friend of mine in EWB who had done the cross-Canada bike tour. When I finished my degree, I really wanted to travel but at the same time, do it in a more sustainable way because environmental issues are a big focus for me. Otesha seemed to be the right fit – I get to stay in shape, see a new country and at the same time, do something important to give back to the community.

Are issues of sustainability different in Australia than they are here in Canada?

That’s what is so fascinating: the issues that Australia faces are very similar to those in Canada. The population is very low for the geographic size of the country and most people are concentrated in these heavily-populated pockets, just like Canada. Resource-wise, we are also very similar. They have coal and uranium located in the centre of the country, as we do, and if you look at the consumption practices in both countries, they are nearly identical. It’s going to be interesting to be able to pull parallel experiences between Canada and Australia and talk about how both countries need to be more sustainable in our energy use.

How have you been able to bridge your interest in environmental issues with your work in chemical engineering?

I spent some time in Kingston, Ontario working at a fuel research centre and was later introduced to a supervisor from the University of Calgary named Josephine Hill who specializes in chemical engineering and fuel cells. I got so excited about learning from Josephine that I moved to Calgary for the opportunity to work with her. One of my projects involved integrating fuel cells into power generation systems as a way to make them more efficient and make better use of fuel. I looked at CO2 capture options for these systems as a way to reduce emissions and the potential for greenhouse gas to cause greater climate change.

What will you be doing once you return from Australia this spring?

Starting in April, I will be working at an oil company in Calgary with a team that designs new technology for greener processes. I’m really looking forward to being in the industry for awhile. I enjoy policy development and hope that my valuable industry experience will eventually translate into setting policy to guide environmental practices that both government and industry can live by.

I do realize that sounds a bit like a contradiction to some people; in fact, my friends tease me that I’m a “business hippie.” I want to focus on the environment and social issues but at the same time, I know we need industry and I also want to be a big player who can help influence important decisions.

Do you have to be a big player to affect change?

That’s the great thing about environmental issues – everyone’s capacity for change is huge. There are some people who think you don’t have the power to change much and then there are some who believe that your personal capacity for change is huge. I’ve always been one of those people who think, yeah, everyone really can change the world. Every step you take, whether it’s how you conserve energy or the way you treat people, can have a huge impact. That’s what excites me so much about what I do. Even introducing the smallest technology changes or shifting in the way people think about things can make the biggest difference.

Did science and math subjects come easily to you in school?

I’ve always been fascinated by science and math, but they are not my strengths and I really struggled with them all through university. I have found that engineering has been an area where I’ve been able to challenge myself and learn new skills, especially in problem solving. What do come naturally are my passions… I play the piano, I paint and I love languages; in fact if I didn’t get into engineering in university, I was going to become an artist. So I really had to work hard and put a lot of energy into getting my masters degree.

How did you motivate yourself to continue?

Oh, there were times when I did come close to throwing in the towel. But I took an extra year in my degree and became involved with sports and several student groups, which really brought the excitement back into it for me. I was involved with Engineers Without Borders and the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students, giving me an opportunity to meet students from across the country. While I was working on my degree, I was also able to take French courses so that I could balance out the things I had a passion for with some of the things I was struggling with.

Would you give that same advice to others who might be struggling?

Absolutely. Get involved in extra groups outside of your studies. When you find a group of students that have a common interest, you’re able to share your good and bad experiences and really see that your hard work is worthwhile. All of my closest friends are people I’ve met through student science programs. I value their friendship and the incredible things I’ve learned from them.

What do you find most rewarding about your experience with Cybermentor?

What’s so exciting is seeing this new generation of girls who are incredibly well-rounded, well-spoken – and are strong in science and math. We have great conversations and I think it’s good to talk about our struggles because they’re very common. I remember what it’s like to be in high school and wanting to get excited about science and yet, it’s not always considered the “cool” thing to do.

When I was in school, I participated in programs like Operation Minerva (an organization bringing Grade 8 girls and female mentors together to encourage young women to choose careers in science and technology) and WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology), and they were huge in keeping my interest in science. I think it’s because I got so much out of these programs back then that it is especially rewarding for me to be involved with them today as a mentor who is now able to give back.