GEOGRAPHY STUDENT GETS EXPERIENCE VIA GOVERNMENT SUMMER JOB

A summer job as a Forest Technician Trainee with the department of Environment is providing Sindy Nicholson with valuable experience in the forestry sector.

"The job has confirmed my academic and career goals, as I hope to work in the forestry sector when I finish my degree," Nicholson said.

Originally from Henribourg, Nicholson is a geography student at the University of Saskatchewan, and one of 502 students hired in 2005 by government departments as part of two summer student programs: the Centennial Student Employment Program (CSEP) and the Summer Student Employment program.

"We hope these students will find their experiences rewarding," Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission Pat Atkinson said. "When they are finished their education, we encourage them to consider career opportunities in the public service."

Atkinson said student programs are designed to offer students opportunities to gain work experience in the public service within their area of study, and to help offset the costs of education.

In her job, Nicholson collects and maps vegetation data in the forests of northern Saskatchewan. For her, the most exciting part of her job is working in remote, outdoor locations.

"Some of the areas that I will be collecting data from are only accessible via ATV, foot or air, and being paid to do activities [like off-roading and hiking] is great," she said.

Students in the public service Student Employment Programs work at various jobs including lab assistant, park interpreter and economist assistant. The majority of positions are for the summer months; however, some students will also work part-time during the school year. Other programs of interest to students offered through the provincial public service include internship programs and co-op work-term opportunities.

"The nature of the government workplace is so varied and diverse that we are able to offer students a range of interesting opportunities," Atkinson said. "Often students are able to gain employment in their field of study."

Students who wish to apply for future jobs in government may do so via the Government of Saskatchewan's student jobs web site, located at www.gov.sk.ca/psc/student.

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For More Information, Contact:

Colleen Hawkesford Public Service Commission Regina Phone: (306) 787-5581