Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 13, 2007

IQALUIT - For Lee Ann Pugh, college was a link to the career she'd been seeking.

Since graduating from the environmental technology program at Nunavut Arctic College in April, Pugh has jumped headlong into a new job as a research assistant in Iqaluit. She wasn't always sure of which path her life would take, however.

Pugh moved to Iqaluit, her mother's hometown, 17 years ago with her family.

In 1999, with a young baby to care for, Pugh completed the first year of the program.

"It was something I knew I had to do, and wanted to do," she said.

The next few years were a bit frustrating, as she found herself doing odd jobs to pay the bills.

"I found it really difficult to get a good job. I would get interviews but I could only go so far. Then I had a second child," she said.

In 2006, after much deliberation, Pugh decided it was time to hit the books again and finish her diploma.

"I was nervous, I had a kid, I didn't know if I was ready, but I went and it turned out really well," she said.

Upon graduation, Pugh immediately began work as a research assistant in Nunavut's Department of the Environment. Under the guidance of Jackie Bourgeois, the territory's climate change co-ordinator, she helped facilitate the work of researchers conducting a study for the Nunavut climate change adaptation plan.

Pugh spent some time doing hands-on work as well.

"Out in the field they taught me a lot of things they were doing, so I could do it, and maybe pass it along," she said.

"Now I can say that I had a taste of research, and how it benefits the communities, and I think I would like to do it," she said, adding that she is contemplating someday completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Lethbridge.

While "more options have come up," Pugh is currently focused on wrapping up her last month of work and spending some time with her family.

"When I decided to go back I knew that getting the diploma would be a great step in opening doors for me here in Nunavut. All those years I took making the decision - I can't believe how many opportunities have come," she said. "If I have any advice for anybody, it's stay in school and push yourself as much as possible."