Gabrielle Gelderman

What has your experience as a university student been like?

My academic trajectory has been anything but linear, and certainly wasn't anything like I expected it to be! However, looking back I am happy with the decisions I've made as I always tried to make them based on what I love to do and what is needed in the world around me.

What was your first area of study? What was it like?

My first post-secondary experience was at The King's University taking general studies. I enrolled last minute even though I was not that excited about it, mostly because after taking a gap year I felt pressured to go back to school and 'figure things out'. Without an area of academic focus, or much enthusiasm for an institution so close to home, I was pretty unmotivated and ended up dropping out after completing the first semester. The experience was not a waste; however, it helped me realize what I wanted to study (sociology) and where (anywhere outside of Edmonton).

What was your second area of study? What was it like?

After doing some research into various schools I applied and was accepted into the University of Victoria. I loved the size of the university and the city, the landscape and culture of the west coast, and its distance from Edmonton (too far for anyone in my family to just 'drop in' but not too far for an affordable plane ride home). Even though I was still fuzzy on how sociology would be applicable to any future career path, I knew that I loved it. Right from the beginning it transformed how I looked at the world around me–I felt like I was learning the secret reasons behind why society is organized the way is and learning answers to questions I didn't know I had (ex. why does so much economic inequality persist despite the excessive wealth amassed by the Global North since the industrial revolution?) .

What did you do between courses?

After completing my undergraduate degree I spent two years working and traveling around Western Canada. I had worked at summer camps all throughout my degree, and decided to follow this love of working outside with young people instead of going right back to school or trying to find a job that is related directly to my degree. I worked as an environmental educator for several different organizations, planning and facilitating outdoor programming for school groups and families.

How did your previous courses help you?

I found that although it didn't immediately seem to be applicable, my university experience always came in handy. Whether it was my ability to research and summarize information effectively, or my capacity to look behind the way things appear in order to find the hidden social forces or power dynamics at play, a degree in the social sciences set me up to be a powerful educator, communicator, and historical interpreter.

What was your third university area of study? What was it like?

My experience of and enjoyment in teaching school groups encouraged me to pursue an after-degree in education. However, after a year in a program focused solely on classroom education, I realized that I would feel too restricted as a teacher in the public school system. I made the difficult decision to drop out once again. It was hard to throw away the money and time I had invested in two semesters of study, but now I'm glad I did.

What are you doing now?

I am currently translating my skills as an educator and passion for the land and for justice into volunteering as climate justice organizer and pursuing graduate studies to work in the fields of spiritual care and climate grief.

Any advice you’d like to give students?

It took me a while to get here but I finally found a path that combines my various passions (working with young people, talking about God and spirituality and fighting for climate and ecological justice ), something I always felt was impossible. If I could give advice to anyone looking out at their future, anxious about which path to choose it is this: follow what you love to do, yes, but also consider where this intersects with what the world (or, more accurately, what the small world around you––your community) needs from you.