IQALUIT
Students of the environmental technology program (ETP) at Arctic College graduated from the two-year course April 28, and Tyler Rowe was recognized as student of the year.

Tyler Rowe, graduate and student of the year for the environmental technology program at Arctic College's Iqaluit campus, gives the thumbs up while fellow students Geneva Noble, left, Terry Milton and Will Autut dissect fish for monitoring purposes. - photo courtesy of Tyler Rowe

Rowe says he was humbled to receive the award, adding, "I wish I worked harder in my two years."

The program's senior instructor Jason Carpenter might disagree.

"Although Tyler was rather young when he started the program, I have witnessed few students mature as much as he has during his time in the ETP," Carpenter said.

Rowe notes he was "fresh out of high school."

"It's easier if you're right out of high school. There's a lot of information to stick around in your head and it's best to keep the brain working," said the 20-year-old who was born and raised in Iqaluit.

He suggests his chosen path is a great one for any high school student to consider, especially if they are "even remotely interested in how the environment works in Nunavut."

"And I would strongly recommend the program to anyone who has any doubt about what they want to do after high school."

Rowe says the inspiration for taking the program, despite saying "I literally didn't know what I wanted to do," came from an experience while in high school.

"I went to a few different programs, like Students on Ice and went to Greenland. That really sparked my interest in the environment. That's mainly why, because of Students on Ice."

Students on Ice is an award-winning organization offering unique educational expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic, with a mandate to educate the world's youth about the importance of the polar regions, support their continued growth and inspire and catalyze initiatives that contribute to global sustainability, according to its website.

Rowe agrees with Carpenter's assessment that he's matured.

"I definitely see a change in myself in the last two years. When I first started the ETP program, I was fresh out of high school, a young buck, but then time went on and there was a bunch of work to be done . It just changes who you are, I guess. We get older and we mature," Rowe said.

Carpenter notes: "Tyler always showed up, he did his work, he asked good questions, he was always respectful of those around him, and he never seemed to complain. He simply focused on what he needed to do, and he got it done. A rather straightforward recipe for successful students anywhere."

Plate tectonics to aurora borealis

The tech program covers a diverse range of environmental topics and monitoring methods, plus "anything you want to learn about the North - plate tectonics to mountains to the sun to the water to aurora borealis, and everything in between," said Rowe.

"I'm really into environmental protection. I used to work at the Sylvia Grinnell park and I always used to see garbage everywhere in the park and it really boiled my blood so I've been going out and just being a steward of the environment. It's a reward in itself."

Not surprisingly, his main passion "consists of going out on the land, like hunting and spending time with friends."

Rowe's next step is a four-month internship with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"I think they said it might turn into something permanent," said Rowe. "I'm going to see where this four-month internship goes. It's field work mostly, and I really like that type of work. I'll see if it can translate into something permanent. If not, I'd really like to become an environmental protection officer or a conservation officer or something of the sort."

Carpenter says he's excited to see how Rowe's career will develop.

"He seems to possess everything he needs to have an exciting career and a great life."

Along with maturity came another change in Rowe - he now intends to stay in Nunavut.

"Before graduating high school I always thought I was going to move away, out of Nunavut, and just start a new journey. But after taking this program - it just really made me open my eyes to how much I really love Nunavut. How much of a great place this territory actually is.

"I just love it."

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