Past Webinars & Events
February 22, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET
Are you interested in learning more about different green career pathways?
Canada’s forest and conservation sector is an essential and exciting field that needs young professionals. By working in a green job, you can provide solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing challenges, like climate change.
To learn more about the different types of jobs in the sector and how you can land one, this interactive online panel featured the career pathways stories from those in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. We heard how each panelist got into their field, what a typical day looks like, and their tips on standing out during the first few months on the job.
PLT Canada’s virtual Green Workforce Panel shared insights on which career path might suit you and how to develop a meaningful career in the forest and conservation sector.
Learning outcomes
- Learn about skills that are in demand in the green sector
- Understand how to stand out in the first few months at your Green Job
- Explore different green jobs pathways and what it takes to succeed in them
- Practice your professionalism
Professionalism tips for online events
PLT Canada’s skill-building webinars are a great place to practice your professionalism.
Professionalism includes “the way you carry yourself, your attitude and the ways you communicate with others.” How can you do this?
- Use professional, polite language: Avoid slang, swear words, and inappropriate terms
- Be punctual: Arrive to the webinar on time or a few minutes early to make a good impression
- Participate: Ask and answer questions, write in the chat, and use the time to make new connections and grow your network
Professional video call etiquette
If possible, turn your camera on for face-to-face interaction.
- Sit in front of a plain or clean background
- Move to a quiet area if possible
- Dress in work-appropriate clothes (a nice sweater, blouse, button up shirt, or collared shirt)
- Ensure your whole head is in the frame
How to access French interpretation
If you need to access interpretation services during this webinar, please read these instructions. We will also review them at the beginning of the webinar and will be available for support if you encounter issues.
Wordly steps
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Zoom steps
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Panelists
Chianti Brown, Central Operations Manager and Education Lead, Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP)
Chianti Brown oversees the development and implementation of three of OYEP’s summer employment programs in Ontario. She believes in amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth so they may become future leaders within the industry. Chianti is a certified teacher with a background in outdoor education and Indigenous studies. She has spent the last six years working in Natural Resources through Outland’s silviculture operations and natural resource and project management. Chianti works with the OYEP team to provide barrier-free access to meaningful employment, education, and training for Indigenous youth across Canada within the Natural Resource sector.
Kindry Mercer, Indigenous Relationships Project Manager, Western Forest Products (Western)
Kindry Mercer has worked in the BC Coastal Forest Industry since 1997. Her role is to support the development of long term, mutually beneficial relationships and resource stewardship opportunities with Indigenous communities. Kindry holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Forest Resources Management from the University of British Columbia and is a Registered Professional Forester with the Association of BC Forest Professionals. Kindry’s previous roles with Western include Manager, Regional Engagement and Silviculture forester in Holberg, Port Alice, and Port Alberni. She has also worked as a forestry contractor for private land and Indigenous owned forest companies.
Ritikaa Gupta, Forester/Policy Analyst
Ritikaa Gupta studied Political Science and Forest Conservation at the University of Toronto. Although she did not intend to pursue a career in forestry initially, Ritikaa is now a Registered Professional Forester with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association and works in forest policy. Away from work, Ritikaa loves yoga and dancing to Korean pop. As a young forest professional, Ritikaa is passionate about increasing the understanding of sustainable forest management and showcasing the diversity of careers available in the forest sector to her youth counterparts.
Tyson Solmonson, Program Coordinator, Doig River First Nation Lands Department
Tyson Solmonson has a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management from UNBC, and has a focus in project management.
Moderators
Jerri Taylor, Director, Diversity in Career Pathways
Jerri leverages successful tools and resources to build support programs for diverse young people as they navigate green careers. She leads the career pathways programming, the Green Mentor program, and the Green Jobs employer training efforts.
Maria Chiarella, Manager, Mentorship and Youth Programs
Maria manages mentorship programs at a national and international level, and coordinates career pathway resources and opportunities for youth. Maria engages young people to learn about and connect to the outdoors, and to be inspired to pursue green careers.
Lydia Kidane, Coordinator, Education Programs
Lydia is Project Learning Tree’s® (PLT) main point of contact for customer inquiries, sales and service. She also helps manage PLT’s product inventory, fulfillment, and distribution and supports career pathways initiatives in the US.
Brittany Lodge, Coordinator, Youth Programs
Brittany supports the entire PLT Canada team in enhancing the number, relevancy, and accessibility of opportunities for a wide range of youth in the forest and conservation sectors.
Shwetha Kengasur Venkatesh, Coordinator, Green Jobs
Shwetha supports PLT Canada’s Green Jobs program with employer and youth outreach and administrative support, and she also develops communication materials and reports.
