Since I have been working at the Agassiz Research and Development Center, I have realized how many talented workers are here and how excellent they are as resources for career guidance. There are employees here from around the world, with different specialties, varying degrees of education and they are doing innovative work and are willing to share their experience with students. Some of the departments include forage, berry breeding, integrated pest management, pesticides, groundskeeping and greenhouse. To try and get some insight into the various job opportunities at the Research and Development Center and the path employees took to get to where they are today, I interviewed four employees from different departments. Here is what they said:
Jim- Greenhouse Supervisor
– Graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Diploma in Horticulture
– Before coming to work at the Agassiz Research and Development Center in 2004, he worked for 9 years in a commercial greenhouse before coming to work for the government and can now identify many differences between working in a government vs. a private greenhouse. For example, in the private greenhouse, they were scared of biological controls as they didn’t understand them nor did they have any scientists or insect experts to study and advise on alternatives to chemical pesticide and fertilizer use. Therefore, they chose to heavily spray their crops with chemical pesticides instead. Also found that is that you get more of a variety in work tasks and subjects in a federal research greenhouse where the demands in a commercial greenhouse are set and are working with the same plants all the time.The variety in the public sector can be very exciting, inspiring and interesting.
– Least favorite part of working in greenhouse is dealing with he heat in the summer time while he loves working with the plants and other hands-on work is a huge stress reliever and is his favorite part of the job.
– Unfortunately, acting as supervisor reduces hands-on time and increases time spent managing staff- finds this difficult as many of the people he leads (students or adults) can be under-trained and don’t have enough education to be trusted to manage the plants without him.
– Enjoys the Research and Development Center because there are lots of people to help you if you don’t know how to handle a certain plant or pest problem- the center is filled with experts!
– While it is lower pressure environment in the government, the trade-off is that there are many levels of approval that you need to work with in order to get projects approved. Furthermore, an abundance of paperwork is required for all projects.
– Jim’s suggestion to students is to keep an open mind about what work or job you will do and to try out as much as you can because you never know what you will like or what something can lead to.
Meg Marshall- Head groundskeeper
– Graduated from the University of Fraser Valley with a Horticulture Diploma
– After school, worked at an organic farm for a few years before coming to the Agassiz Research and Development Center 8 years ago and worked various casual contracts until she became a permanent employee this spring.
– When first arrived at the Research Center, both the greenhouse and the groundskeeping crews were combined which worked well to manage time in the hot greenhouse and was a good balance between scientific work and hands-on/ laborious work. When the two were split, Meg was selected as the head (and only) groundskeeper.
– Says working in a greenhouse is wonderful because it supports science and provides unique problem solving skills. However, there are points in the year where the position resembles that of “a well paid janitor” or a “glorified sprinkler” as the job involves cleaning up other people’s mess and extensive plant watering.
– Has always worked alone in groundskeeping until I came this spring which has it’s advantages and disadvantages. On a positive note, working alone allows you to choose your priorities and work at your own pace. However, the work of a groundskeeper is on display for everyone at the center and to the visitors and being the sole person responsible for the grounds can be very stressful.
– Enjoys working outside, however extreme weather can be challenging and her ability to complete tasks outside is frequently weather dependent. Enjoys the physicality of her job, however it is not sustainable and she does not picture herself in this job in 10 years.
– Feels that safety is held at a higher priority in the government copared to the private sector as there was a sense that private employers had “no time for safety”. Part of this could be that optics are a huge component of the public sector as you must show that you are working hard and effectively using tax-payer dollars.
– Finds that getting projects approved takes more time in the government compared to the private sector as there are many levels of management which must approve a project. She has noticed that this process can be useful as it keeps people accountable, manages money and forces workers to justify the decisions they are making.
– Meg’s advice to students is to never give up on the things you’re really interested in. Sometimes it takes a little while to achieve your goals but you should never sacrifice what you want because it is not convenient or possible at the time.
Markus Claudius- Biologist and Principle Investigator of GLP
– Graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Terrestrial Plant Ecology and later received an Applied Biology Masters in Insect Pest Management.
– When schooling was finished,, there were more opportunities in the public sector than private so he has worked for various levels of government his whole career- for the Provincial government in Prince George then for Agriculture Canada at the research facility in Summerland. Notes that there are few differences between working for the Provincial versus the Federal government.
– Explains that working in the private sector is not in his interests or goals as they “cut corners” and are tied to the contracts they sign for other companies which dictates what chemical pesticides they are able to research.
– Current lab collects information on pest residency in strawberry and other small crops and releases findings as well as suggested short-term solutions to growers. These tests are expensive to conduct and small-scale growers in the lower mainland could never afford to run them. Information gathered from this research contributes to the National Minor Use Pesticide Program and fills gaps of information for Health Canada.
– Lab isn’t pure research- they troubleshoot short-term pesticide solutions as pests eventually adapt to pesticides so short -term solutions are often necessary.
– Enjoys that every year is a constant learning curve as they are constantly working with new crops and new pests (lots of new pests come through Vancouver’s major port). Doesn’t enjoy the amount of paperwork and documentation involved with his job- each new trial must be properly documented and meet the legal standards.
– Takes students yearly as he enjoys teaching (forces him to think things through) and enjoys the energy that students bring to the work. In essence, students remind older researchers why they are doing what they are and what’s to love about research.
– Markus’ advice to young adults is to be aware of your own assumptions and conditioning of technical and personal skills since our upbringing colors our vision to see things a certain way- which is not always right. He advises to identify this and be thoughtful when things don’t go how you expect.
Peggy- Research Technician and Lab Manager in Biological Control Lab
– Started a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and philosophy but left to travel before completing the degree. Did not return to school until 1991 after completing a few years of work and decided to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at UBC.
– Worked as a researcher at the Agriculture Canada Research Center in Vancouver until it closed in 1996 when she started her own company importing foreign tree seedlings to sell in Canada. This company was fairly successful until the CFIA shut the borders because of foreign insect pests.
– Began working at the Agassiz Research and Development Center as a technician in the minor use pesticide program and in the greenhouse.
– While her educational background is in plant sciences, she became interested in insects when she began working for her boss Dave and eventually took over his projects when he retired.
– Loves working in Agassiz since it allows scientists to expand their horizons and knowledge through courses and training that is funded by the government. Lots of personal and professional growth has happened. Furthermore, she gets to work out in the field allot to look for insects- out among the forests and wild areas. However, does not enjoy dealing with bureaucracy in this job
– Takes students only when there is one that fits her criteria- biology student who has entomology experience from UFV, SFU or UVic
– Peggy’s advice to students is to follow your interests and not worry about what job you will get or what your title will be- you may be led to unexpected places!
In these interviews, I found some insights to be very valuable such as the pros and cons of working for the government versus the private sector. I have often thought that I would like to work for municipal, provincial or federal government or that I would enjoy working for our parks system. While the environment that I had envisioned to work in is different from Agassiz’s research facility, it is still valuable to hear worker’s opinions about the government work force. I also took allot out of the advice that my interviewees had for students since they have more wisdom regarding integrating into the workforce and they had some great insight into what has helped them to be successful.