Hello again,
So I know that usually I publish weekly posts on Thursdays, but this morning's headlines have really made me think. Not sure how many people have heard about this in the news yet, but I'm sure it will be making the news for quite a few days to come still.
The two top stories on the CBC website this morning: Japan suffers major damage in 8.9 quake and Tsunami advisory for B.C. coast. Wow. I feel like I went to sleep last night and the world has changed!
A bit of background info: this magnitude 8.9 earthquake (measured on the Richter Scale) is the highest magnitude earthquake in Japanese history since they began measuring and recording earthquakes 140 years ago. As of 8:45 am this morning, there are already 40 dead and 39 officially missing; the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, one of the largest in the world, is under a stage of emergency because it's cooling mechanism has failed (but don't worry, no radioactivity has escaped the facility - yet); and an oil refinery is burning uncontrollably, sending up flames over 30 meters into the air. The earthquake triggered a tsunami which hit the Japanese coast shortly afterwards and has already caused devastating damage, both to human lives and infrastructure. Many other Pacific nations, including New Zealand and Australia, and all the way down the Americas from B.C. to Mexico and South America have also been put under alert. Hawaii has already had tsunami waves hit their shores, perhaps with more to come.
And so while I'm reading this, what is going on in the back of my mind? That I feel like we're hearing about more and more extreme weather events and natural disasters recently. Just yesterday there was an earthquake in China, and last month a quake in Christchurch, New Zealand devastated the region. Earthquakes aren't the only hazard, either: parts of eastern Australia were devastated by massive floods in January, and here at home in Canada the Maritimes have been placed in a state of emergency a few times this winter as furious storms came crashing through. So when I hear about these things the first thing I think is "thank goodness I live in an area which is relatively free of natural disasters" and "I'm happy that my family is safe", but then it gets me to thinking that the direction I currently want to go in academically and professionally is quite fitting. Right now, I am interested in pursuing a master's degree in Flood Risk Management (or if that fails, Hydro-Informatics and Water Management), and I don't think I could be doing this at a better time. If the change in climate continues to modify our weather patterns as significantly as it has in recent years, the need for specialists in dealing with natural disasters (preventing, planning, monitoring, and mitigating) will continue to increase. I just hope that in pursuing this career path I don't end up living too close to an area at great risk of a natural disaster. I guess only time will tell.
So that's what is going through my head on this Friday morning. May I also point out that the weather this week has been completely unpredictable. It will be pouring rain one day and then the ground is completely covered in snow the next (and round and round it goes like this). I for one am not sure whether I should wear my winter boots or my rain boots to school today. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these extreme natural disasters and weather phenomena. How has it affected you?
Have a great week everyone!
Sheila
Showing posts with label Graduate Studies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Graduate Studies. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My post-grad plan
Until a few months ago, I had no intention of pursuing post-graduate studies. My plan was to complete my undergraduate degree and to go find a job somewhere, either for the government, a non-governmental organization, or... I was keeping my options open. As I was discussing my thoughts with some of my mentors and doing some more research, I realized that I would be employable after graduation, but that I would quickly hit a glass ceiling if I did not add some more letters to my name by completing a master's degree.
Around the same time, I found out about a series of joint master's programs that are offered by the European Commission. There is an extensive list of post-graduate programs on their website, and they all offer large scholarships to complete the programs. Essentially you complete your first semester at one university, and then move to a different city or country to complete your second, third, and fourth semesters. Yet another opportunity to travel and gain different insights!! I have spent quite a bit of time looking through the different programs and have narrowed it down to two.
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in either Flood Risk Management or Hydro-Informatics and Water Management. The Flood Risk Management takes place in Dresden, Germany (1st semester), Delft, the Netherlands (2nd semester), Barcelona, Spain (3rd semester), Ljubljana, Slovenia (2 months), and then you complete your thesis at one of the universities or complete a work placement within a company. The Hydro-Informatics and Water Management program takes place at universities in Germany, England, Spain, France, and Hungary, and you can select where you wish to spend each semester. The 4th semester you complete either an internship or a research paper. Both programs offer full scholarships of €48,000. I am planning on completing the majority of the application process this summer, so that I just have to make touch-ups and minor changes when I am in Peru.
If neither of those programs pan out, I am also planning on applying for a few programs in Switzerland (offered in French), and perhaps at different universities across Canada, including Université du Québec à Québec or Rimouski, Royal Military College, and the University of British Columbia.
My goals are to advance my knowledge and understanding and critical awareness of specialisations at the forefront of discipline in water management, decision support systems, water and society. I want to apply scientific principles in the development of environmental solutions to practical problems in the water environment and water infrastructure operation. In doing so, I hope to play a key role in ensuring the safe, environmentally sound and sustainable management of natural and domestic water resources. I am interested in managing projects of this nature, and so I would also like to develop skills in project management by attending seminars and workshops.
I have always had an interest in international affairs and I am now looking to apply this to my future career. After my studies, I want to apply the knowledge I have learned in international development and water management to monitor and develop mitigation plans for areas that are prone to natural disasters in other countries.
If you have any ideas, suggestions, or contacts that might be useful I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know that the future holds many great things, and I am excited to continue along on this journey.
Have a great week!
Sheila
Around the same time, I found out about a series of joint master's programs that are offered by the European Commission. There is an extensive list of post-graduate programs on their website, and they all offer large scholarships to complete the programs. Essentially you complete your first semester at one university, and then move to a different city or country to complete your second, third, and fourth semesters. Yet another opportunity to travel and gain different insights!! I have spent quite a bit of time looking through the different programs and have narrowed it down to two.
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in either Flood Risk Management or Hydro-Informatics and Water Management. The Flood Risk Management takes place in Dresden, Germany (1st semester), Delft, the Netherlands (2nd semester), Barcelona, Spain (3rd semester), Ljubljana, Slovenia (2 months), and then you complete your thesis at one of the universities or complete a work placement within a company. The Hydro-Informatics and Water Management program takes place at universities in Germany, England, Spain, France, and Hungary, and you can select where you wish to spend each semester. The 4th semester you complete either an internship or a research paper. Both programs offer full scholarships of €48,000. I am planning on completing the majority of the application process this summer, so that I just have to make touch-ups and minor changes when I am in Peru.
If neither of those programs pan out, I am also planning on applying for a few programs in Switzerland (offered in French), and perhaps at different universities across Canada, including Université du Québec à Québec or Rimouski, Royal Military College, and the University of British Columbia.
My goals are to advance my knowledge and understanding and critical awareness of specialisations at the forefront of discipline in water management, decision support systems, water and society. I want to apply scientific principles in the development of environmental solutions to practical problems in the water environment and water infrastructure operation. In doing so, I hope to play a key role in ensuring the safe, environmentally sound and sustainable management of natural and domestic water resources. I am interested in managing projects of this nature, and so I would also like to develop skills in project management by attending seminars and workshops.
I have always had an interest in international affairs and I am now looking to apply this to my future career. After my studies, I want to apply the knowledge I have learned in international development and water management to monitor and develop mitigation plans for areas that are prone to natural disasters in other countries.
If you have any ideas, suggestions, or contacts that might be useful I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know that the future holds many great things, and I am excited to continue along on this journey.
Have a great week!
Sheila
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