PSF Community Bursaries spotlight – Virginia Elizabeth McCallum
Stewardship Community Bursaries are awarded to students in B.C. and the Yukon dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Pacific salmon. The goal of the bursary is to reduce financial barriers for students passionate about aquatic stewardship. Open to full-time students in good standing in at least the second year of an accredited post-secondary program that leads to a career supporting Pacific Salmon.
Applications for the 2022-2023 school year open on August 1, 2022. Apply here.
Meet 2021-2022 Stewardship Community Bursary recipient Virginia Elizabeth McCallum below.
Virginia Elizabeth McCallum
PSF Community Bursaries Program Recipient, 2021-2022
What do you study?
Biology, Marine Biology Concentration, University of Victoria
Why did you pursue that field of study?
I have a passion for conservation. Fish are such crucial contributors to our ecosystems, and they reflect the health of their environment and surrounding wildlife. I absolutely love animals and working outdoors and thought this to be a very rewarding field.
How has the PSF bursary supported you?
It provided me so much financial support (and relief) that enabled me to register and pay for all the necessary courses I needed to take second semester. It took off a lot of financial burden and stress, allowing me to better focus on my studies.
What type of work experience have you achieved?
Currently, I am working for the City of Salmon Arm this summer in horticulture. I also became a volunteer aquarist at the Sidney aquarium.
What are your career goals and ambitions?
I hope to have a career post-grad with Fisheries Canada or Parks Canada. I absolutely love working hands-on, outdoor jobs and feel both of these fields would be extremely rewarding. I would like to pour my passion for environmental conservation into a beneficial career that would leave me feeling like I’m making a positive impact on the natural world.
For more information on our Stewardship Community Bursaries, click here.
