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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Programs held at two universities have given two Fort Providence teenagers a clearer idea of the careers they'd like to pursue.

Bradley Thom of Fort Providence spent the summer participating in the University of Alberta's Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology's summer research program. As part of the program, Thom spent six weeks working in the university's faculty of nursing. - photo courtesy of Bradley Thom

Bradley Thom isn't so sure about nursing, but civil engineering has caught his eye. Thom, 16, spent his summer vacation at the University of Alberta's Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology's (WISEST) summer research program, which is open to men as well.

WISEST's goal is to strengthen society by increasing gender diversity in the workplace. During the research program, participants work as paid research assistants on a project in an area that is less traditional for their gender.

Thom was one of three men in the program. He was linked with the university's faculty of nursing. The 57 women in the program were sent to various areas including engineering and chemistry.

Thom said at first, he was skeptical about going to the program because he thought it was for women and he didn't want to give up all six weeks of his vacation. Being at the university and living in a student residence soon changed his mind.

"It was actually a really good time and I didn't want to leave," he said.

Thom spent part of his time with the faculty of nursing going to university as well as going to summer camps for elementary school children to promote nursing. One of the activities he helped lead involved having youth draw the outline of bodies and then draw and label the proper organs.

The faculty was also in the process of writing grants and proposals and Thom assisted by creating two diagrams that were included.

"I liked it, it was a good experience," he said.

Participants in the program also toured the university and visited other faculties including civil engineering. Thom said he was interested in the engineering faculty and has now moved the University of Alberta to the top of his list of post-secondary schools to apply to.

Thom said he would definitely recommend the program to other students. Some past participants came and spoke about how the program had shaped their lives and careers they chose, he said.

A summer program reinforced Erin Nadli's interest in a different career path.

Nadli, 17, spent a week in July at the University of Toronto participating in the faculty of law and Osgoode Hall Law School's Aboriginal Youth Summer Program. The program is for aboriginal high school students who are interested in the study of law.

"I'm actually interested in law so I'm glad I went," said Nadli.

"I loved it, I would go again."

During the program, Nadli attended classes at the faculty of law, learned about law and clan governance for aboriginal groups and met with aboriginal lawyers and judges. The approximately 20 participants also did mock trails and visited two court houses.

"It was cool," said Nadli.

Nadli said the program cemented her interest in pursuing a career in law. She is now planning to go to post-secondary school to do an undergraduate degree in aboriginal studies and then apply to law school.

Thom and Nadli weren't the only Fort Providence students to attend programs at universities this summer. Delaney Vandell, Mikaela Vandell, Craig Bonnetrouge and Christina Bonnetrouge went to the University of Western Ontario's Mini University Summer Camp.

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