Work-integrated learning: Where education meets experience

Amanda Mckenzie, who lives in West Kelowna, brings extensive experience to her role as the manager for environmental sustainability at IH. Having worked in diverse regions, from the East Kootenays to Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, Amanda's dedication to environmental improvement is deeply rooted.

Her profound connection to nature drives her commitment to making a positive impact, both personally and professionally. In her leisure time, she finds solace in connecting with the natural world through outdoor adventures, gardening and travel. As a lifelong student herself, she eagerly embraces opportunities for learning, and is studying Japanese for an upcoming international journey.

“My biggest passion in life is to make things better. I get the most satisfaction out of seeing others thrive and improve,” says Amanda. “It’s one of the biggest reasons I love to mentor and work with students, as nothing brings me more joy than to see them succeed both in their personal and professional lives.”

Under her guidance, IH’s Environmental Sustainability team spearheads project planning, stewardship and resilience efforts to address future climate change impacts through adaptation strategies.

Recently, alongside the Population and Public Health team, they orchestrated the creation of Interior Health's Climate Change and Sustainability Roadmap. This comprehensive document prioritizes mitigation, adaptation and transformation initiatives aimed at reducing operational risks and enhancing the organization's preparedness for a more sustainable health-care system.

The Roadmap serves as a strategic blueprint to guide IH towards a greener future as an organization, health-care provider and integral community member. Collaboration with other teams and departments ensures seamless implementation of the Roadmap's key actions across the organization.

Success is often tricky to measure, especially when it can’t necessarily be quantified. When it comes to co-op students, Amanda measures the success of the placements for the student, through overall knowledge gained through their experience, relationships built in the organization, and overall job satisfaction.

For IH, it's crucial to monitor outcomes and assess how the student's efforts contribute to the organization's broader achievements, alongside their job satisfaction.

“When mentoring students, I take time to make sure they are successfully onboarded, as I feel this is the most important step in ensuring they are set up for success,” Amanda explains. “I take time to introduce students to the key individuals they will be working with and ensure they have another mentor or buddy to support them, as well as myself as their direct manager. Our co-op students are the future of our workforce, and these roles are a fantastic way to show the many positive opportunities a career in health care can bring.”

When choosing students to fulfill a co-op placement, Amanda prioritizes those with skills essential for success in an environmental career. These encompass critical thinking abilities, as environmental scientists frequently employ scientific methodologies and data analysis in their work. Strong interpersonal skills are crucial, given the team's frequent collaboration with other departments to enact change. Additionally, problem-solving aptitude and perseverance are indispensable, as environmental challenges often entail complexity and require navigating through various stages to reach a resolution.

This approach appears to be functioning smoothly, given that her prior co-op students have made significant contributions to the success of numerous projects within the realm of environmental sustainability:

• In a biomedical waste investigation, the Environmental Sustainability team saw 80 tonnes of plastic diverted and total cost savings of $89,000 for the project.
• For their Greening the Labs Opportunity Investigation, the team saw wide-scale adoption of recommended actions by the Laboratory Program, and integration of their findings into the overall Lab Strategy Plan.

Avery Schneider, an environmental sustainability intern at IH and a civil engineering student at the University of British Columbia, epitomizes these skillsets and the value of work-integrated learning experiences.

Born in Kelowna, with stints in Victoria and Vernon, Avery's passion for outdoor activities has helped shape her journey into environmental sustainability. Her interests include hiking, camping, running, yoga and pilates. She cherishes moments spent outdoors, whether by the water or in nature, often accompanied by loved ones including friends, family, her fiancé and their dogs. Living in this picturesque region grants her access to abundant outdoor adventures and scenic hiking trails, for which she is deeply grateful.

As a co-op student, she leads the Greening the Operating Room Opportunity Investigation to enhance sustainability in operating rooms, while supporting various projects within the Environmental Sustainability team. This investigation focuses on improving sustainability efforts in surgical services, showcasing the tangible impact co-op students can have within organizations like IH.

Her motivation to pursue co-op placements stems from her desire for hands-on experience and career exploration. Through her role, she has gained invaluable skills in research, communication and critical thinking.

“I have learned that organizations like Interior Health just want to help you grow and learn,” says Avery. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be curious. Co-op placements give you an excellent opportunity to learn all you can from a wide variety of industry professionals. If there is something you want to try or a career you want to explore to benefit your learning, don’t be afraid to spark a conversation with the individuals around you.”

Both Amanda and Avery underscore the mutual benefits of work-integrated learning. For students like Avery, co-op placements provide invaluable exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities to develop essential skills. Conversely, organizations like IH benefit from fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and dedicated contributions from students eager to make a difference.

As IH continues its commitment to environmental sustainability, Amanda and Avery's experiences exemplify the transformative power of work-integrated learning. Their collaboration highlights the importance of mentorship, hands-on experience and a shared vision for a greener future within the health-care sector.

IH celebrates the vital role of co-op placements in shaping the workforce of tomorrow and advancing sustainability goals. As Amanda and Avery demonstrate, the journey towards a more sustainable future begins with empowering individuals and fostering meaningful partnerships.

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