By Kayla Perry, Editor in Chief
On Feb. 9, the Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada paid a visit to the Vale Living With Lakes Centre, to speak with representatives of the Goodman School of Mines.
It was a first time visit to Sudbury for Michael Keenan, who has held the position of Deputy Assistant Minister since January 2013.
During the visit, members of the individual departments within the school of mines presented overviews of their departments work, including enrolment, funding and research opportunities, to the Deputy Assistant Minister, who also provided a presentation on the Living with Lakes Centre’s research.
“(The school of mines) has the feel of an institution that is moving forward,” said Keenan.
Bruce Jago, Director of the Goodman School of Mines, was among those who organized the visit, and said the school of mines is now, and will continue to work towards “enhancing education.”
The mining school, which donates 18 percent of its budget to scholarships across six faculties within the school, encompasses a total of seven undergraduate programs, seven graduate programs and four executive programs.
Although professors and school officials primarily attended the presentations, a handful of engineering and mining students were also in attendance, eager to discuss future employment opportunities with Natural Resources Canada, which Keenan said are a possibility.
“There’s a pretty decent prospect for student employment, both in terms of summer students and co-ops,” said Keenan. “The department is literally just debating our prospects in terms of student employment and co-ops – they’ve dipped down a bit, and we’ve asked why because (these programs) are a great way to start recruiting people… It’s a win-win for both sides, and we’re trying to get (those numbers) up.”
According to Keenan, three things are necessary to become successful in your field after graduation: passion, relevant experience, and perseverance, which Keenan said will “eventually work out, because employers are looking for people who are smart, well educated, are doing something that they care about and are dedicated.”
“I have a sense of some of the key priorities and the plan for the university to move forward, which is helpful. I see a couple of areas where (the school) is doing some exciting things, where there is a chance for the Government of Canada to work with them and do more,” said Keenan.
The Vale Living with Lakes Centre is often the spot for many high profile visits: aside from Keenan’s visit this February, Jane Goodall also visited the Centre in 2012.
