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Scholarships help Fort Providence youth achieve university dream Bradley Thom striving to be a civil engineer
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 2, 2013
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Bradley Thom knew if he was going to go to school and become a civil engineer, he was going to need some financial help. That's why the 17-year-old Fort Providence resident applied for every scholarship and bursary he could find in an effort to raise the money he needed to go to school.
Thom is taking an academic upgrading course at Camosun College in Victoria, B.C., this fall before applying for Victoria University's civil engineering program.
"At Camosun College, there is no residence so we have to get our own apartments," he said. "Rent in Victoria would be pretty steep, so any money that could help me out, I applied for."
Thom is one of 29 students chosen for a $2,000 Dehcho First Nation Leadership Scholarships this year.
He also received a $2,500 scholarship from Shehtah Nabors Limited and was awarded $500 from the Deh Gah Gotie Dene Band when he graduated from Deh Gah School.
Thom said he has always enjoyed the idea of designing and constructing important infrastructure, such as bridges and roads.
"Engineering is something I've always liked," he said. "I've always wanted to build structures that could be used by everyday people. It would make me feel kind of accomplished."
Throughout school, Thom said he was drawn to subjects that focused on mathematics. The idea of a career where he could use his math skills to create the infrastructure needed to operate communities appealed to him.
"I really like geometry and looking at maps," he said. "I just really like putting it all together and seeing it all flow."
After he completes university, Thom said he believes he would like to return to Fort Providence and put his skills to use. With the territory opening up for development and communities needing ongoing maintenance and upgrading, Thom said he knows his career will be in high demand.
"I think I would come back home," he said. "I'm pretty sure there are not a lot of civil engineers up here."
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