Student Testimonials - Bishop's University

Students on a field trip around campus — Photo credit: Jean Roy

The skills and knowledge I acquired during my undergraduate studies enabled me to gain acceptance to the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law where I completed my law degree. Space in Canadian law schools is notoriously limited; however, the strong academic training and significant extra-curricular opportunities at Bishop’s equipped me with a respectable law school application. A high GPA and above-average LSAT score no longer suffice to secure a seat in a Canadian law school. Candidates should also be able to show community engagement. Bishop’s is the ideal academic setting for students who are serious about pursuing professional degrees after undergrad.
While in law school I focused most of my academic studies on environmental law. The education I received in the ESG department provided me with a significant advantage in my environmental law courses. Having already acquired an advanced education in environmental matters I was able to delve deeper into the legal and policy matters associated with environmental justice.
My daughter was born on my first day of my first year of law school and my son was born in my last year of law school. Attaining a law degree is a seven year process (if completed without interruption) and balancing family life and academic obligations is a significant challenge for those students who choose not to put their family lives on hold for the better part of a decade. Developing a solid skill base in research, writing, time management, and critical thinking are important for any law school candidate, but particularly so for students balancing family obligations. Bishop’s is an exceptional place to gain these skills.
I am currently in the process of completing my articling placement (a kind of internship necessary to be licensed as a lawyer in Ontario) at Nature Canada, Canada’s oldest conservation charity. I am now in a position where I am applying my education in environment and law to address some of the most pressing environmental issues in Canada today.
The road to a career in environmental law is long and challenging, but navigating much of that path through Bishop’s University can make the process more fulfilling and fun.
Adam Bond

The Environmental Studies and Geography program at Bishop’s brought the world of geographical research to me in a way that not only introduced me to the field but allowed me to actively participate in it. I was able to become involved in student projects on and off of campus, complete an honours thesis and work as a research assistant.
My years at Bishop’s were instrumental in shaping my outlook on the world and allowing me to realize the potential geographical research has for improving the world around us. Since Bishop’s I have completed a Master’s of Science at McGill University, worked in the field of water resource management and am preparing to begin my PhD in Geography at the University of Waterloo where I will study the relationship between water resource management, human wellbeing and natural hazards. None of this would have been possible without the opportunities I had while a student in the ESG program at Bishop’s.
Paddy Enright

My time in the Environmental Studies and Geography (ESG) Department instilled a passion in Canada’s north and the people who live there. That passion encouraged me to pursue a Masters at the University of Guelph to research the impacts of mining on Indigenous groups. Through my graduate work I was able to travel to Quebec’s Sub Arctic on numerous occasions and work closely with First Nation communities. My time in the north was invaluable as it led to consulting work, research networks, lecture opportunities, and my present job as a policy analyst with Department of Natural Resources.
My experience and education, stemming from my time at Bishop’s, provided me with a strong foundation on which I was able to develop a professional career in an area I care deeply about.
Robert Klink

Working for the Office of the Auditor General of Canada may not have been my plan when I started my undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at Bishop’s University. But the great thing about the environmental field is its breadth and the endless opportunities to find something that excites you.
The Environmental Studies program at Bishop’s reflects the diversity and flexibility of the environmental space and provided me with an opportunity to explore a variety of topics, many of which have directly influenced my professional career and subsequent academic activities. From my Undergraduate degree (and after a bit of travel), I moved on to a Graduate degree in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Corporate Social Responsibility at York University. I then joined a national not-for-profit organization specializing in urban energy planning where I worked with provincial policy makers and municipal governments to implement efficient energy infrastructure. Now as an Auditor at the OAG, I work on the Nunavut territorial team and contribute my unique mix of environmental and social sustainability backgrounds to our audits.
I entered my undergraduate degree at Bishop’s knowing only that I was passionate about the environment and driven to do meaningful work. The Environmental Studies program, with its small class sizes, dedicated faculty and wide-ranging topics, gave me an opportunity to identify the areas that intrigued me the most and establish a foundation for a future in the environmental sector.
Samira Drapeau